MEDICAL BIOLOGY, HUMAN ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Y.I. Fedonyuk 2010

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY

SECTION 1. ORGAN. ORGAN SYSTEM. ORGANISM. FUNDAMENTALS OF GENERAL PATHOLOGY

FUNDAMENTALS OF GENERAL PATHOLOGY

2. The Relationship Between the Organism and the Environment

An Organism is an integral living biological system capable of self-renewal, self-reproduction, and self-regulation. This integrity is maintained by the following factors: 1) the structural integration of all PARTS OF THE organism (Cells, Tissues, Organs, fluids, etc.); 2) the interrelation among all parts of the organism mediated by: a) fluids circulating in its vessels, cavities, and spaces (humoral communication, Lat. humor - fluid), b) The Nervous system, which regulates all processes within the organism (nervous regulation).

Thus, the integrity of the organism is achieved, firstly, through The activity of the nervous system, which permeates all organs and Tissues of the body with its branching networks, serving as the material anatomical substrate that integrates the organism into a single whole alongside humoral communication.

Secondly, the integrity of the organism lies in The Unity of vegetative and somatic (animal) processes within it. Somatic nerves innervate striated Muscles, thereby performing animal Functions (movement), while vegetative nerves, branching within the smooth muscles of Blood Vessels, provide trophic innervation, thus fulfilling vegetative functions (METABOLISM, Nutrition).

Thirdly, the integrity of the organism consists in the unity of mind and body, that is, the unity of the psychic and the somatic. The unity and integrity of the organism are impossible without its connection with the environment. This connection forms The basis of the evolution of organic forms. Environmental changes lead to alterations in the organism that inhabits this environment and continuously adapts to it. And

conversely, under the Influence of the developing organism, the surrounding environment changes to a certain extent. For animals, this is the biological environment, whereas for humans, alongside the biological environment, the anthropogenic environment is of decisive importance.