Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Biology

Essential Terminology in Human Anatomy and Physiology

Skeletal System and Musculature

• Scapula: A flat, triangular bone that forms the back of the shoulder.
• Tibia: The inner bone of the lower leg.
• Femur: A bone in the leg extending from the pelvis to the knee.
• Ulna: The bone in the forearm located on the side opposite the thumb.
• Radius: The bone in the forearm located on the side of the thumb.
• Humerus: The long bone in the arm running down from the shoulder to the elbow.
• Skull: The bones of the head, which surround the brain and give the head its shape.
• Pelvis: The bones below the abdomen that support the lower back and are connected to the bones of the leg.
• Hip: The joint and surrounding region connecting the leg to the trunk.
• Deltoid: A large muscle

The Fundamentals of a Balanced Diet

A balanced diet provides an adequate intake of energy and nutrients necessary for the maintenance of the body and overall good health. While a diet may be sufficient for normal bodily functioning, it may not necessarily be balanced. An ideal human diet contains fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, water, and fiber in the correct proportions. These proportions vary for each individual based on metabolic rates and activity levels.

Understanding Malnutrition and Dietary Balance

Malnutrition results from an unbalanced diet, which can stem from an excess of certain dietary components or a lack of others, rather than just a complete lack of food. Consuming too much of one component can be as harmful as... Continue reading "Essential Principles of a Balanced Diet for Optimal Health" »

Tissues

Types of Tissues

• Epithelial Tissue: Covers the interior and exterior body surfaces.
• Connective Tissue: The most abundant type of tissue.
• Nervous Tissue: Transmits nerve impulses.
• Muscle Tissue: Provides movement.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment within an organism. One mechanism to achieve homeostasis is feedback inhibition, where a stimulus produces a response that opposes the original stimulus.

Nutrition

Macronutrients

• Carbohydrates: The major source of energy in the body.
• Fats: A combination of glycerol and fatty acids. They absorb fat-soluble vitamins, store energy, and protect body organs.
• Proteins: Molecules that supply raw materials for growth and repair.

Micronutrients

• Vitamins: Organic molecules

Head and Neck Anatomy: Quick Facts

1. Which muscle does the superficial cervical fascia contain? Platysma
2. Which part of the mandible is the stylomandibular ligament inserted? Angle and posterior border of ramus
3. What kind of secretion does the sublingual gland produce? Mixed, mainly mucous
4. What are the two anastomoses of the deep branch of the submental artery? Infra labial (facial) & mental artery (inferior alveolar)
5. Which nerve runs through the sphenopalatine foramen? Nasopalatine nerve
6. In which part of the brain is the hippocampus located? Limbic system
7. Which masticatory muscles do muscular branches of the facial artery supply? Medial pterygoid & masseter
8. What four cranial nerves (CNs) are related to the parasympathetic system? 3, 7, 9, 10
9. What

Understanding Mitosis and Cell Division

Mitosis is a way of producing new cells. It takes place when organisms are growing or replacing damaged cells. Asexual reproduction is a type of reproduction that involves only one parent. During mitosis, the nucleus of the cell divides so that the daughter cell has an identical set of genes as the parent cell. Genes are carried in the nucleus in long strings called chromosomes. Nearly all cells contain 46 chromosomes in each nucleus. The newly formed cells are called clones, which are exact replicas of the parent cell.

Meiosis and the Production of Gametes

Meiosis is another way of producing new cells. It results in gametes, which have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. It happens in the... Continue reading "Cell Division and Human Reproduction Processes" »

Respiratory System

Fetus: developing unborn baby.

Head and Neck Anatomy Q&A

• 33. Zygomaticus minor muscle insertion: From the anterior portion of the zygomatic bone to the upper lip.
• 34. Buccal nerve innervation: Posterior and inferior portion of the vestibule, buccal side of the gums of premolars and molars, and skin of the cheek.
• 35. Terminal branches of the infraorbital nerve: Palpebral, nasal, and labial.
• 36. Tensor tympani muscle innervation: Medial pterygoid nerve (branch of the trigeminal nerve).
• 37. Cerebellar peduncles connection: Connects the cerebellum with the brainstem.
• 38. Temporalis muscle insertion: Medial side of the coronoid process.
• 39. Main nerves in the sublingual region: Lingual and hypoglossal nerves.
• 40. Arteries arising from the anterior external carotid: Superior thyroid,

Organelles and Functions:

• Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum: Responsible for the assembly of many proteins • Cell Membrane: Controls the movements in & out of the cell and organelles • Golgi Apparatus: Process and bundle macromolecules like proteins and lipids • Mitochondria: Perform cellular respiration 0 Breaks nutrients into energy • Nucleus: Contains a majority of the genetic material • Nucleolus: Rewrite ribosomal RNA and combine it with proteins • Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum: Makes cellular products like hormones and lipids • Lysosome: Digestion and waste removal • Flagella: Allows cells to move • Vesicle: Transport vesicles move molecules within the cell • Ribosomes: Makes proteins within cells • Cytoskeleton:... Continue reading "Structure of garter and grendel model cell membrane" »