LEVELS OF 5.

Organ System – group of organs

STRUCTURAL contributing to some function

ORGANIZATION - Digestive system and reproductive

system

6. Organism – all organ systems working

Six Levels from Chemical to Organism
together

1. Chemical – smallest level - Associated microorganisms such as

- Atoms, chemical bonds, molecules intestinal

2. Cellular – cells: basic units of life

- Compartments and organelles
- Examples are mitochondria, nucleus

3. Tissues – group of cells with similar

structure and function plus extracellular
substances they release

Four Broad Types:

- Epithelial
- Connective
- Muscular
- Nervous
Necessary Life Functions

Maintain Boundaries – internal environment remains d

4. Organs – two or more tissue types acting
the external environment
together to perform functions

Movement – locomotion and movement of

Examples: stomach, heart, liver, ovary,
substances
bladder, kidney
Responsiveness or Excitability – ability to
sense changes and react.

- Includes internal and external stimulus

Digestion – breakdown and absorption of

nutrients

Metabolism – chemical reactions within the

body
- Breakdown complex molecules into
smaller ones
- Build larger molecules from smaller
ones
- Produces energy and regulated by
hormones

Excretion – eliminates waste from metabolic

reactions

- Wastes may be removed in urine or

feces

Reproduction – occurs on cellular level or

organism level and produces future generation

Growth – increases cell size and number of

cells
HOMEOSTASIS - Blood glucose levels (70 mg/dL – 100
mg/dL)
- Blood cell counts
Definition and Functions
- Respiratory rate (12 – 16 breaths per
minute)

    
 Homeo – the same
 stasis – to stop
 The existence and maintenance of a
relatively constant environment within the
body despite fluctuations in either the
external environment or the internal
environment.

 Normal Range – normal extent of increase

 Maintenance of stable internal environment
or decrease around a set point
- A dynamic state of equilibrium
- Necessary for normal body functioning
 Set Point – normal, or average value of a
variable over time, body temperature
 Homeostasis Imbalance
fluctuates around a set point
- A disturbance in homeostasis resulting
in disease

Maintaining Homeostasis

 The body communicates through neural and

hormonal control systems

Variables: measures of the body properties that

may change in value

Examples of Variables:

- Body temperature (36.5 – 37.5OC)

- Heart rate (60 – 100 bpm)
- Blood pressure (<120/80 mm Hg) Components of Homeostatic Mechanism
 Positive Feedback
Negative Feedback

 Mechanisms occur when the initial stimulus

 Main Mechanism used in homeostatic
further stimulates the response
regulation
 System response causes progressive
Response Involves:
deviation away from set point, outside of
 Direction – of deviation away from set normal range not directly used for
point homeostasis.

 Correction – reversal of deviation toward  Some positive feedback occurs under

set point and normal range normal conditions example childbirth.

 Any deviation from the set point is made  Generally, it is associated with injury,
smaller or is resisted. disease and negative feedback mechanisms
are unable to maintain homeostasis.
 2. Lactation – the child feeding stimulates
milk production which causes further
feeding
- Continues until the baby stops feeding

3. Ovulation – the dominant follicle releases

estrogen which stimulates LH and FSH
release to promote further follicular growth.

4. Blood Cutting – platelets release clotting

factors which cause more platelets to
aggregate at the site injury.

   

    

Examples of Processes that Utilize Positive

Feedback Loops

1. Childbirth – stretching of uterine walls

causes contractions that further stretch the
walls
- This continues until birthing occurs