Chapter 1

Characteristics of Life
Process Examples
Movement Change in position of the body or of a body part; motion of an internal
organ
Responsiveness Reaction to an external or internal change taking place
Growth Increase in body size without change in shape
Reproduction Production of new organisms and new cells
Respiration Obtaining oxygen, using oxygen in releasing energy from foods, and
removing carbon dioxide
Digestion Breakdown of food substances into simpler forms that can be absorbed
and used
Absorption Passage of substances through membranes and into body fluids
Circulation Movement of substances from place to place in body fluids
Assimilation Changing of absorbed substances into chemically different forms
Excretion Removal of wastes produced by metabolic reactions.

Requirements of Organisms
Element Characteristic Use
Water chemical substance Metabolic processes, medium for reactions,
transport, temperature regulation
Food various chemical substances Supply energy, raw materials for production,
regulation of vital reactions
Oxygen chemical substance Needed for releasing energy in food
Heat form of energy Helps regulate metabolic reaction rates
Pressure a force Affects respiration and blood pressure

Anatomical Terminology

Superior- higher or closer to the head

Inferior- lower or closer to the tail or feet
Anterior- (ventral) toward the front
Posterior- (dorsal) toward the back
Medial- closer to the midline
Lateral- away from the midline (ipsilateral= same side) (contralateral= opposite side).
Proximal- closer to the point of attachment
Distal- farther from the point of attachment
Superficial- (peripheral) closer to the outside or surface
Deep- farther from the surface

Body Sections
Sagittal- divides body into left and right lengthwise (midsagittal= midline)
Transverse- horizontal cut that divides body into superior and inferior regions
Coronal- divides body into anterior and posterior portions

Organ Systems
Organ System Major Organs Major Functions
Integumentary skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, protect tissues, regulate body
sebaceous glands temperature, support sensory
receptors
Skeletal bones, ligaments, cartilages provide framework, protect soft
tissues, provide attachments for
muscles, produce blood cells, store
inorganic salts
Muscular muscles cause movements, maintain
posture, produce body heat
Nervous brain, spinal cord, nerves, sensory detect changes, receive and
organs interpret sensory information,
stimulate muscles and glands
Endocrine glands, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, control metabolic activities of
pancreas, ovaries, testes, pineal, body structures
thymus
Cardiovascular heart, arteries, capillaries, veins move blood through blood vessels
and transport substances
throughout the body
Lymphatic lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, return tissue fluid to the body,
thymus, spleen carry certain absorbed food
molecules, defend the body
against infection
Digestive mouth, tongue, teeth, salivary receive, breakdown, and absorb
glands, pharynx, esophagus, food, eliminate unabsorbed
stomach, liver, gallbladder, material
pancreas, intestines
Respiratory nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, intake and output of air, exchange
trachea, bronchi, lungs of gases between air and blood
Urinary kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, remove wastes from blood,
urethra maintain water and electrolyte
balance, store and transport urine
Reproductive testes, prostate, penis, ovaries, produce sperm, egg, transport
uterus, vagina sperm, support development of
embryo