This cheat sheet provides a concise overview of key concepts for the Science Olympiad Anatomy & Physiology event in 2024. Remember, this is a supplement to your rigorous studying and shouldn't replace thorough textbook review and practice. Consult your official Science Olympiad rulebook for the most up-to-date event parameters.
I. Human Body Organization
- Levels of Organization: From atoms to molecules, organelles, cells, tissues (epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous), organs, organ systems, and finally, the organism. Understanding the hierarchy is crucial.
- Homeostasis: The body's maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes. Focus on mechanisms like negative feedback loops (e.g., thermoregulation, blood glucose control).
II. Skeletal System
- Bone Types: Long, short, flat, irregular, sesamoid. Understand their functions and locations.
- Bone Markings: Processes (projections), depressions (indentations), foramina (openings). Know common examples and their associated muscles or ligaments.
- Skeletal Divisions: Axial (skull, vertebral column, rib cage) and appendicular (limbs and girdles).
- Joints: Fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial (hinge, ball-and-socket, pivot, etc.). Understand their structure and function.
Key Bones to Know:
- Skull: Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid, mandible, maxilla.
- Vertebral Column: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx. Identify characteristic features of each vertebra type.
- Rib Cage: True ribs, false ribs, floating ribs. Understand their articulation with the sternum and vertebrae.
- Limbs: Humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, fibula, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges.
III. Muscular System
- Muscle Types: Skeletal (voluntary, striated), smooth (involuntary, non-striated), cardiac (involuntary, striated). Understand their structure, location, and function.
- Muscle Actions: Agonist (prime mover), antagonist (opposes agonist), synergist (assists agonist).
- Muscle Fiber Types: Type I (slow-twitch), Type IIa (fast-twitch oxidative), Type IIb (fast-twitch glycolytic). Understand their characteristics and roles in different activities.
IV. Nervous System
- Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem) and spinal cord. Understand the functions of each major region.
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Somatic and autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) nervous systems. Know the roles of each division in regulating bodily functions.
- Neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine. Understand their roles in nerve impulse transmission.
- Reflex Arcs: Understand the pathway of a simple reflex arc.
V. Cardiovascular System
- Heart: Chambers (atria and ventricles), valves (tricuspid, mitral, pulmonary, aortic), blood flow through the heart.
- Blood Vessels: Arteries, veins, capillaries. Understand their structure and function in blood circulation.
- Blood: Components (plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets). Understand their roles in blood transport and immunity.
- Cardiac Cycle: Systole and diastole. Understand the events during each phase.
VI. Respiratory System
- Pathway of Air: Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.
- Gas Exchange: Oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide release in the alveoli.
- Lung Volumes and Capacities: Tidal volume, vital capacity, residual volume, etc. (understanding these is often helpful but check the specific rules for your competition).
VII. Digestive System
- Digestive Tract: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine (colon, rectum), anus.
- Accessory Organs: Liver, pancreas, gallbladder. Understand their roles in digestion and absorption.
- Enzymes: Amylase, pepsin, lipase. Understand their functions in breaking down different food types.
VIII. Endocrine System
- Major Glands: Hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries, testes.
- Hormones: Insulin, glucagon, growth hormone, thyroid hormone, adrenaline (epinephrine), etc. Understand their functions and target tissues.
IX. Other Important Systems:
- Urinary System: Kidney structure and function, nephron function, urine formation.
- Integumentary System: Skin layers, functions of the skin (protection, thermoregulation).
- Lymphatic System: Role in immunity.
This cheat sheet offers a framework. Remember to delve deeper into each topic using your textbook, class notes, and online resources. Good luck in the Science Olympiad competition!
