Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology, Vital Signs, and Homeostasis Anatomy: –the study of the structure (morphology) of body parts. Physiology: –area of study concerned with the function of body parts.
Characteristics of Life Review pages 4-5 (Include Movement, Responsiveness, Growth, Reproduction, Respiration, Digestion, Absorption, Circulation, Assimilation, Excretion) Depend upon physical and chemical changes that occur within body parts. Taken together, these changes are called metabolism.
Metabolism Catabolism: all of the chemical rxns that release energy from food molecules Anabolism: all of the chemical rxns that build food molecules into more complex chemical compounds. Metabolism: sum of C & A that allow food energy to be used by an organism. C + A = M
Maintenance of Life (Page 5) Requirements of Organisms –Water –Foods –Essential gases (oxygen- used to release energy from food in cellular respiration) –Heat (product of metabolic reactions and controls metabolic reactions) –Pressure Atmospheric pressure (force due to weight of air) Hydrostatic pressure (force that a liquid exerts, i.e. heart action produces blood pressure which forces blood through blood vessels)
Vital Signs Used to assess health of body Are the result of metabolic processes
Components (4 major vital signs) 1. Body Temperature (measure of heat) –Heat is a product of metabolic rxns, and helps determine the rate of metabolic rxns. –Normal body temp. is 98.6 F/ 37 C
2. Blood Pressure Heart action produces blood pressure on blood vessels. Taking someone’s blood pressure measures the pressure on arterial walls. Taken on the brachial artery with a Sphygmomanometer. Stethoscope used to listen to blood flow.
Systolic/Diastolic Pressure Systolic –measurement of max. force exerted on arterial walls when heart contracts. (gushing sound in stethoscope) Diastolic –measurement of force in arteries during relaxation of heart. (Lowest pressure) Also measures resistance in arteries.
Normal Blood Pressure Adult male –120/80 mmHg Adult female –110/70 mmHg
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) 140/95 possible hypertension (1 case) Arteriosclerosis “artery hardening”-decreased elasticity of arterial walls and narrowed lumens increase blood pressure. As heart works overtime, the heart enlarges, muscle thickens and the heart becomes less efficient and damaged.
3. Heart beat and Pulse “Resting” heart rate (60-80 BPM) “Pulse” is caused by the alternate expanding and recoiling of the arterial wall.
4. Breathing Movements/Sounds
Lack of Vital Signs Lack of these 4 Vital Signs = Death No spontaneous muscle movements (breathing/heart rate) No response to stimuli No reflexes No brain waves