Animal Science

CAPITIN, JOHN GERALD II-BSABE-1

ACTIVITY 1
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Briefly define and give the functions, structures and components of the following:
1. Define Physiology - A branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of
life or of living matter (such as organs, tissues, or cells) and the physical and chemical
phenomena involve.

2. Define homeostasis – is the ability to maintain a relatively stable internal state that
persists despite changes in the world outside. All living organisms, from plants to
animals to people, must regulate their internal environment to process energy and
ultimately survive.

3. Define nervous system –is a highly complex part of an animal that coordinates its
actions and sensory information by transmitting signals to and from different part of its
body.

4. Give the components of the nervous system and its functions

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and all of the
nerves that connect these organs with the rest of the body. Together, these organs are
responsible for the control of the body and communication among its parts. The brain and spinal
cord form the control center known as the central nervous system (CNS), where information is
evaluated and decisions made. The sensory nerves and sense organs of the peripheral nervous
system (PNS) monitor conditions inside and outside of the body and send this information to the
CNS. Efferent nerves in the PNS carry signals from the control center to the muscles, glands,
and organs to regulate their functions.

Brain - The brain, a soft, wrinkled organ that weighs about 3 pounds, is located inside
the cranial cavity, where the bones of the skull surround and protect it. The
approximately 100 billion neurons of the brain form the main control center of the body.
The brain and spinal cord together form the central nervous system (CNS), where
information is processed and responses originate. The brain, the seat of higher mental
functions such as consciousness, memory, planning, and voluntary actions, also controls
lower body functions such as the maintenance of respiration, heart rate, blood pressure,
and digestion.
Spinal Cord - The spinal cord is a long, thin mass of bundled neurons that carries information
through the vertebral cavity of the spine beginning at the medulla oblongata of the brain on its
superior end and continuing inferiorly to the lumbar region of the spine. In the lumbar region,
the spinal cord separates into a bundle of individual nerves called the cauda equina (due to its
resemblance to a horse’s tail) that continues inferiorly to the sacrum and coccyx. The white
 matter of the spinal cord functions as the main conduit of nerve signals to the body from the
brain. The grey matter of the spinal cord integrates reflexes to stimuli.

Nerve - Nerves are bundles of axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that act as
information highways to carry signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the
body. Each axon is wrapped in a connective tissue sheath called the endoneurium. Individual
axons of the nerve are bundled into groups of axons called fascicles, wrapped in a sheath of
connective tissue called the perineurium. Finally, many fascicles are wrapped together in
another layer of connective tissue called the epineurium to form a whole nerve. The wrapping of
nerves with connective tissue helps to protect the axons and to increase the speed of their
communication within the body.

5. What is the structure of neurons and its functions?

Neurons vary in size, shape, and structure depending on their role and location.
However, nearly all neurons have three essential parts: a cell body, an axon, and
dendrites.
Cell body - Also known as a soma, the cell body is the neuron’s core. The cell body
carries genetic information, maintains the neuron’s structure, and provides energy to
drive activities.
Like other cell bodies, a neuron’s soma contains a nucleus and specialized organelles.
It’s enclosed by a membrane which both protects it and allows it to interact with its
immediate surroundings.
Axon - An axon is a long, tail-like structure which joins the cell body at a specialized
junction called the axon hillock. Many axons are insulated with a fatty substance called
myelin. Myelin helps axons to conduct an electrical signal. Neurons generally have one
main axon.
Dendrites - Dendrites are fibrous roots that branch out from the cell body. Like
antennae, dendrites receive and process signals from the axons of other neurons.
Neurons can have more than one set of dendrites, known as dendritic trees. How many
they have generally depends on their role.

6. Define endocrine system –the endocrine system acts through chemical messengers
called hormones that influence growth, development, and metabolic activities. The
action of the endocrine system is measured in minutes, hours, or weeks and is more
generalized than the action of the nervous system.

7. Define endocrinology- is the study of hormones. Hormones are essential for our
every-day survival. They control our temperature, sleep, mood, stress, growth and
more.

8. Define hormone and its functions - hormones are chemical messengers that are
secreted directly into the blood, which carries them to organs and tissues of the body to
 exert their functions. There are many types of hormones that act on different aspects of
bodily functions and processes.
Some of these include:

Development and growth

Metabolism of food items
Sexual function and reproductive growth and health
Cognitive function and mood
Maintenance of body temperature and thirst

9. What is Pituitary gland? - he major endocrine gland. A pea-sized body attached to

the base of the brain, the pituitary is important in controlling growth and development
and the functioning of the other endocrine glands.

10. Give the functions of these hormones:

a. Growth Hormone or Somatotropic Hormone (STH) - refer to the growth
hormone produced naturally in animals and extracted from carcasses
b. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) - a tropic hormone produced by the
anterior pituitary. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis controls it. ACTH regulates
cortisol and androgen production. Diseases associated with ACTH include
Addison disease, Cushing syndrome and Cushing disease.
c. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - stimulating hormone. A TSH test is a blood
test that measures this hormone. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland
located near your throat. Your thyroid makes hormones that regulate the way
your body uses energy. It also plays an important role in regulating your weight,
body temperature, muscle strength, and even your mood.
d. Luteotropic Hormone (LTH) - Prolactin, also called luteotropic hormone (LTH)
or luteotropin, a protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland of mammals
that acts with other hormones to initiate secretion of milk by the mammary
glands.
e. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - is one of the hormones essential to
pubertal development and the function of women's ovaries and men's testes. In
women, this hormone stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in the ovary
before the release of an egg from one follicle at ovulation. It also increases
oestradiol production.
f. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) - (LH, also known as lutropin and sometimes
lutrophin) is a hormone produced by gonadotropic cells in the anterior pituitary
gland. In females, an acute rise of LH ("LH surge") triggers ovulation and
development of the corpus luteum.
 11. Define and give its functions
Definition Functions
Thyroid Gland is an endocrine gland in your neck.
It makes two hormones that are secreted into the blood: thyroxine (T4) and
triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are necessary for all the cells in your
body to work normally.

Pancreas is an organ of the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates it

functions mostly to regulate blood sugar levels, secreting
the hormones insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. As a
part of the digestive system, it functions as an exocrine
gland secreting pancreatic juice into the duodenum through the pancreatic
duct.
Adrenal Gland (also known as suprarenal glands) are endocrine glands that produce a
variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and
cortisol. They are found above the kidneys. Each gland has an outer cortex
which produces steroid hormones and an inner medulla
Parathyroid Gland
Calcitonin s a hormone that is produced in humans by the parafollicular cells (commonly
known as C-cells) of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin is involved in helping to
regulate levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood, opposing the action of
parathyroid hormone.

12. Define Cardiovascular System, its components and functions - The cardiovascular system
can be thought of as the transport system of the body. This system has three main
components: the heart, the blood vessel and the blood itself.
Heart - The heart’s job is to pump blood around the body. The heart is located in
between the two lungs. It lies left of the middle of the chest.
Blood vessels - Blood Vessel are tubes which carry blood. Veins are blood vessels which
carry blood from the body back to the heart.
Blood - Blood contains oxygen and other nutrients which your body needs to survive.
The body takes these essential nutrients from the blood. At the same time, the
body dumps waste products like carbon dioxide, back into the blood, so they
can be removed.

13. What is Lymphatic System? - is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the
body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of
the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white
blood cells, throughout the body.

14. Define respiratory system - is the network of organs and tissues that help you
breathe. It includes your airways, lungs, and blood vessels. The muscles that power your
lungs are also part of the respiratory system. These parts work together to move
oxygen throughout the body and clean out waste gases like carbon dioxide.
15. Define Excretory System and its functions - is the system of an organism's body
that performs the function of excretion, the bodily process of discharging wastes.
The Excretory system is responsible for the elimination of wastes produced by
homeostasis.
16. Enumerate the parts of the female reproductive system and its functions

Testes – are the primary organs of reproduction in males, just as ovaries are primary
organs of reproduction in females. They produced male gametes (spermatozoa) and
male hormones (androgens-testosterone)

Epididymis – is a long convoluted tube which connects the vasa differentia of the
testis with the ductus deferens (vas deferens). It serves as a place for
maturation of the spermatozoa before ejaculation.

Ductus deferens - is a long convoluted tube which connects the vasa

differentia of the testis with the ductus deferens (vas deferens). It serves as
a place for maturation of the spermatozoa before ejaculation.

Urethra - is a canal starting from junction of the ampulla an ends at the opening of the
penis. It serves as a common passage of semen and urine

Ampulla is an enlarged portion of the ductus deferens just before its entrance into the
urethra. It serves as a temporary storage of sperm until ejaculation time.

Seminal vesicles - are paired glands which are located on either side of the ampulla.
They produce a secretion high in fructose which acts as vehicle for sperm transport.

Prostate gland is an unpaired which more or less completely surrounds

the urethra. It produces a viscous secretion on which stimulate
sperm activity (lubrication) and gives the semen its characteristic odor.

Cowper’s gland is a small paired gland and located on either side of pelvic
urethra; cleanse or buffer acidity of the urethral canal prior
to ejaculation.

Penis is an erectile tissue whose main function is to drain the urinary

bladder of urine. It is an organ of erection and ejaculation and
serves to introduce the spermatozoa into the vagina.

17. Enumerate the parts of the male reproductive system and its functions

Ovary is a paired, almond shaped organ situated near the uterine horn just
behind the kidney. It protects the ova and secretes the female se hormone.

tube adjacent to the ovary whose expanded form is like a funnel-

shaped structure. It picks up the egg when released by the ovary at
the time of ovulation.
Oviduct or fallopian tube is a structure of that conducts the ova from each
ovary to the respective horn of the uterus. It serves as a site of fertilization
and site of early embryonic development.

Uterus is a tubular structure extending from the termination of both fallopian tubes
to a point where the horns of the uterus joins the body of the uterus and continues
to the cervix. It is the site of implantation and serves in a nutritive and productive
capacity for the developing embryo.

Cervix is considered the neck of the uterus. It serves as a passage way

of semen. It protects the uterus from foreign material. During pregnancy,
it secretes a sticky mucus seal.

Vagina is a tube extending from the cervix down to the vulva. It receives the
penis in copulation and provide a passageway for the fully developed fetus
during parturition.

Vulva serves as the common

passageway for the products of reproduction and urine.

Clitoris, a rudimentary organ situated ventrally to the vulva, is homologous to the penis
in the male.