Understanding Human Biology: Cell Structure to Ecosystem Impacts
Cell Structure and Human Biology
Cell Structure
Plasma membrane, cytoplasm (ribosomes, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, vacuoles, lysosomes), nucleus (nuclear membrane, nucleoplasm, chromatin, nucleolus).
Tissues
- Epithelial: Lining epithelium (mucous membranes, endothelia, epidermis), gland (exocrine, endocrine, mixed)
- Connective: Connective tissue, adipose, cartilaginous, osseous
- Muscle: Smooth, striated, cardiac
- Nerves: Neurons, glial cells
Body Organization
Structures formed by various tissues associated to perform a specific function.
Organ Systems
Formed by organs of the same type that have similar functions. Organs are formed by distinct tissues that act coordinately to perform one or more functions.
Nutrients
- Inorganic: Water and mineral salts
- Organic: Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins
Energy Value
A calorie is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by one degree Celsius.
Types of Food
Energetic foods, plastic foods, and regulators.
Food Storage and Handling
Cold storage, heat treatment (pasteurization, sterilization), dehydration, addition of substances.
Digestive System
Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine.
Ingestion and Digestion
Mastication, insalivation, chemical action, mechanical action.
Absorption and Egestion
Absorption via intestinal villi and egestion of feces.
Respiratory System
Nostrils, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, and bronchioles.
Circulatory System
Arteries, veins, blood from the heart, blood capillaries connecting heart veins and arteries.
Blood Composition
Plasma, blood cells (platelets, red and white blood cells).
Heart Structure
Veins entering atria, ventricles, and arteries.
Lymphatic System
Lymph capillaries, lymph vessels, lymph nodes.
Excretory System
Urinary system: kidneys, urinary passages. Excretory organs: lungs, liver, sweat glands.
Nervous System Components
Neurons: sensory, motor, interneurons, glial cells.
Nervous System Organization
Central (brain, brainstem, cerebellum, spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system: sensory nerves, motor nerves, somatic nervous system, vegetative nervous system.
Endocrine System
Pancreas (insulin, glucagon), testes (testosterone), ovaries (estrogens and progesterone).
Vision
Cornea, pupil, lens, photoreceptors, optic nerve, cerebral cortex.
Hearing and Balance
- Hearing: Pinna, external auditory canal, eardrum, ossicles, cochlea, Eustachian tube
- Balance: Semicircular canals
Touch and Smell
Pituitary, red and yellow taste buds on the tongue.
Locomotor System
Skeletal system (bones, joints, and ligaments) and muscular system (muscles and tendons).
Reproductive System
- Female: Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, clitoris, labia minora
- Male: Testicles, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, urethra, penis, scrotum, epididymis
Contraceptive Methods
- Natural: Ogino method, basal temperature observation, cervical mucus method
- Mechanical: Male and female condoms, diaphragm, spermicides
- Chemical: Contraceptive pills, intrauterine devices
- Surgical: Vasectomy, tubal ligation
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Candidiasis, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, hepatitis B and C, AIDS.
Weathering
Weathering of rocks due to moisture, oxygen, temperature changes, freezing water, living organisms.
Types of Weathering
Chemical, mechanical, biological.
Soil Formation
Composition and structure.
Landform Modeling
River, torrential, glacial, karst, coastal, wind.
Impacts on the Hydrosphere
Changes in water properties, dynamics, and distribution; eutrophication, salinization of aquifers, water body warming.
Impacts on the Biosphere
Overexploitation, species extinction, habitat destruction, trophic pyramid disruption, pollution, genetic manipulation.