Physiology

What is homeostasis, and why is it essential for survival in changing environments? How do negative feedback loops help keep internal conditions stable? What are some concrete examples of homeostatic control in temperature, pH, and glucose levels? How do the nervous and endocrine systems work together to maintain homeostasis? What happens when homeostatic mechanisms fail or are overwhelmed?

How are neurons structured, and how do they transmit electrical and chemical signals? What roles do the brain and spinal cord play in processing information and controlling the body? How do sensory receptors convert light, sound, touch, and chemicals into nerve signals? What is the difference between voluntary and reflex actions in the nervous system? How can injuries or diseases of the nervous system affect movement, sensation, or behavior?

How does the heart pump blood through the body, and what do the major blood vessels do? How do red blood cells transport oxygen and carbon dioxide? How does gas exchange occur in the lungs, and what factors affect breathing rate? How do exercise and altitude change the way the circulatory and respiratory systems work? What are common cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and how can they be prevented?

How does food move through the digestive system, and where are different nutrients absorbed? What roles do proteins, fats, and carbohydrates play in the body’s energy and structure? How does the liver help regulate nutrients and detoxify harmful substances? How do hormones like insulin and glucagon regulate blood sugar levels? What happens in the body during fasting, overeating, or malnutrition?

How do endocrine glands and hormones help coordinate long-term changes in the body? What are some major hormones and the processes they influence? How does the immune system distinguish between self and non-self? What are the main lines of defense against infection, from barriers to specialized cells? How can autoimmune diseases and allergies result from misdirected immune responses?