Workbook on Body Compartments, Cell and Homeostasis for Biosciences in Nursing

This Biosciences workbook aims to reinforce knowledge on body compartments, cells and homeostasis for nursing students. It is a self-assessment tool to identify learning progress and encourages close reading of lecture notes and textbooks. The workbook covers topics such as cell structure, location, and function, osmosis, active transport, and diffusion across the cell membrane. It also includes the functions of organelles such as cytosol, nucleus, ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes.

Year 1
Biosciences for nursing
Workbook on the
body compartments, cell
and homeostasis.

Biosciences workbook
This workbook aims to further reinforce knowledge and understanding of
students on the systems of the body and to enable them to study at their
own pace. It is also a self- assessment tool for students to identify whether
learning has taken place. It encourages close reading of the lecture notes
and textbook to find the relevant information.
Learning anything new takes a lot of effort. Learning is an active process;
you need to engage with the work and practice writing the new ‘language’
down in your notebook (or online portfolio). Pay attention to how the words
are spelt for example, it is easy to confuse atria and arterial. Eventually this
language will become your own language. Reading is a very passive activity,
reading alone is not a good way to learn, you need to engage fully by
questioning everything you read. This workbook is designed to help you with
this, however, just completing the workbook is not enough, if this subject is
new to you will have to go over it many times.
Although many of the answers can be found in the lecture notes, not all can
be found here. Please use your textbook to read around the subject to
extend your knowledge and understanding. However, there is often much
more in textbooks than you need to know. In order to help you focus on what
you need to know the learning outcomes for each session are given to you.
In this workbook there is a separate section for each lecture. Please
complete and submit (workbook submission portal) the relevant section
following your lectures in preparation for the ‘live’ quiz. If you leave the work
for a few weeks, you will find it very difficult to catch up.
Read you lecture notes and textbook prior to completing each section. Can
you answer the questions without looking back at your notes? Sometimes
the same question is repeated in a different way. This is deliberate as
repetition helps us to remember.
Good luck!

Body compartments and a cell
1. Define the following terms:
Cell: Cell is the smallest unit in living organisms and tissues in the body. A cell has
capability to live on its own and it is considered as smallest structural, biological
and fundamental unit of life. Cells are majorly responsible for all processes and are
also known as building blocks of life.
Organ: Organ is a differentiated structure (such as kidney, heart, lung, liver, etc.)
composed of cells and tissues and responsible to perform a particular function in
an organism. These body parts tend to function in coordination
System: System is a group of interrelated elements which act on the basis of
already set rules in order to unified whole. A system is always described by its
boundaries, purpose and structure that expressed in its function. It keeps
surrounded and influenced by its environment.
2. Identify the location of the following organs in the body cavities:
Organ Cavity
Spinal cord Dorsal Body Cavity
Lungs Chest Cavity
Kidneys Abdominal Cavity
Heart Chest Cavity
Liver Abdominal Cavity
Stomach Abdominal Cavity
Spleen Upper Left Abdominal Cavity
Brain Cranial Cavity
Gall bladder Upper Right Abdominal Cavity
Pancreas Abdominal Cavity
Bladder Pelvis
Urethra Abdominopelvic Cavity
3.What structure separates the thoracic and abdominal cavity
The diaphragm is a thin dome-shaped muscular structure which separates the
thoracic cavity from abdominal cavity. The thoracic cavity consists lungs and heart
while abdominal region of body includes intestines, liver, stomach, etc. The
diaphragm involved in respiration, inhalation and exhalation. The structure is
shaped like a parachute and contract continually and rhythmically as well as
involuntarily. During inhalation, contraction and flattening of diaphragm, enlarge
chest cavity due to which a vacuum creates and air pulls into the lungs. While
during relaxation, the relaxation and gaining of dome-structure of diaphragm,
enclose chest cavity which force out air out of the lungs.

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4. Label the diagram below
1 – Cranial cavity 2 – Vertebral cavity 3 – Thoracic cavity 4 – Diaphragm 5 –
abdominal cavity 6 – pelvic cavity
5. Briefly explain what cytosol is:
Cytosol is the liquid material present inside the cell. It is also known as
intracellular fluid or cytoplasmic matrix. It is divided into different
compartments through membranes. It can have referred as a complicated
mixture of substances dissolved in water. Cytosol in eukaryotic membrane
found in surrounded position via cell membrane which comprises plastids,
mitochondria and other organelles. While in prokaryotes; many metabolic
reactions take place in cytosol. Ions present in cytosol like sodium and
potassium are present on different concentration in context to extracellular
fluid. This concentration difference is significant in driving osmoregulation
and cell
6. Name the two different types of cells found in the human body and explain the
main fundamental difference in terms of genetic content between these cells.
The two different type of cells found in human body are: Nerve cells and Blood
cells.
Red Blood Cells carry a specific type of protein, known as hemoglobin, which can
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bind oxygen molecules while nerve cells lack of this protein as it does not need to
bind oxygen but protein present in nerve cells are found to be helpful in
transmitting signal from one cell to another.
.

7. Label the diagram below
1. Centrioles
2. Mitochondrion
3. Lysosomes
4. Cytosol
5. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
6. Nucleolus
7. Chromatin
8. Nuclear envelop
9. Nucleus
10. Plasma membranes
11. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
12. Ribosomes
13. Golgi apparatus
8. Insert the appropriate words in the blank space against the correct description
below:
(a) Ribosomes, (b) Mitochondria, (c) Nucleus, (d) Golgi apparatus, (e)
Centrioles
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1. Mitochondria – production of energy in the form of ATP
2. Centrioles - are found near the nucleus and are involved in cell division

3. Ribosome - is an intracellular factory that manufactures protein
4. Golgi apparatus - is the processing and packaging station for the protein
from the endoplasmic reticulum
5. Nucleus - is essential for all cellular activities and contains genetic
materials
9. Insert the following appropriate words in the blank space against the correct
description below:
(a) osmosis, (b) active transport, (c) pinocytosis, (d) simple diffusion, (e)
lysosomes
1. Osmosis - is the movement of water across a semi permeable membrane
from a region of low solute concentration to one of higher solute
concentration
2. Simple diffusion - is the movement of solutes/gas through a semi
permeable membrane from a region of higher solute/gas concentration
to a region of lower solute/gas concentration
3. Pinocytosis - is a mechanism by which cell membrane indents and actually
engulfs substance to be absorbed into the cell
4. Active transport - requires energy derived from cellular chemical reactions
to move molecules against their concentration gradient
5. Lysosomes - contains digestive enzymes which digest bacteria and cellular
debris
10. What are organelles and where are they found?
An organelle is a membrane bound structure found within a cell. Organelle have
membranes to boundary everything present inside, these mini-organs are bounded in
an in phospholipid layer which provide insulation to little compartments within the
larger cells. These organelles are found in the cytoplasm which is a viscous liquid
matrix present within the cell membrane. There are many organelles present in human
body includes; Nucleus, Mitochondria, Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough
Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi apparatus, Peroxisome and Lysosomes.
.
11. What is the fluid that is found inside cells known as?
Fluid found inside cells is known as Interstitial Fluid present in the space around
cells. It functions to bring oxygen and nutrients to cells and to eliminate waste
products from cells. It exudates from substances that leak out of blood capillaries.
Interstitial fluid is composed of amino acids, water, coenzymes, sugars, hormones,
fatty acids, salts, neurotransmitters and cellular products.
12. What is the fluid that bathes cells known as?
The fluid that bathes and surrounds the cells are knows as interstitial fluid or tissue

fluid. The fluid is found in interstitial spaces also known as tissue spaces. The fluid
provides nutrients to the cells of the body and helps in removing waste material
from cell. Many researches revealed that an individual supposed to hold about 11
liters of interstitial fluid within their body.
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13. Which word fully describe the cell structure and location, please enter your
response in the space under each heading:
Cell structure Location Function
The plasma membrane Outside of the cell Serves as a
selectively
permeable
membrane which
regulate material
into and out of the
cell
Lysosomes In the cell Contains
digestive
enzymes
Mitochondria Scattered
throughout the
cells in the
cytoplasm
Control release of
energy from food
and forms ATP
Ribosomes Surface of endoplasmic
reticulum, on nuclear
envelop and scattered in
whole cytoplasm.
Manufactures protein
Endoplasmic reticulum Throughout the
Cytoplasm
Contains ribosomes
and is involved in
synthesis of protein
14. What is cytoplasm?
The cytoplasm is a vital component of the cell. It provides support to nucleus and the
cell membrane due to its semi-liquid consistency and jelly-like material. Cytoplasm is
embedded in the cell while other cell organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic
reticulum, ribosomes, etc. remain suspended within it. Staining technique is generally
used to investigate cytoplasm under the microscope. It is the site for many chemical
reactions within a cell. Major function of the cytoplasm is to enable cells to maintain
their turbidity which is associated with maintenance of cell shape and structure.
15. Describe the structure of the cell membrane in detail:
Cell membrane also known as plasma membrane found in all cells and create a
boundary between inner environment of the cell with the outside environment. It
consists of double layer of lipid which is semipermeable in nature. It regulates the
transportation of materials in reference to make entry inside the cell or exit from the
cell. It provides protection to the cell. The membrane of the cell composed of protein
which allow it to interact with other cells.
16. Explain the function of the cell membrane in detail:

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Cell membrane is responsible to perform many functions like; provide protection for
the cell, provide nutrients to the cell and help in eliminating waste material from the
cell. It is also known to provide a fixed environment inside the cell. It contains many
receptors and channels bounded to it which facilitate specific molecules, nutrients,
ions, metabolic waste and water to pass between the organelles and between the
outside and inside environment of the cell.
17. Explain in detail what osmosis is and how it occurs:
Answer: In context to biology, osmosis is a term which is define as the movement of water molecules
from a solute – water solution with a high concentration of water molecule through a semipermeable cell
membrane to a solute – water solution of low water concentration. In another word osmosis is the
phenomena in which water molecule is move through a biological semipermeable membrane from a
solution with low solute concentration to a solution with high solute concentration. Osmosis is occurring
due to the difference of osmosis pressure between two chamber which is separated through the
biological semipermeable membrane. Therefore, a hydrostatic pressure generates and balance the
osmotic pressure of both compartment or chamber.
18. Explain in detail what ‘active transport’ is and give examples of substances
transported using active transport:
Answer: active transport is the medium of transportation in the plants which utilize stored potential to
move the solute molecules against the concentration gradient means solute particles moves from low
concentration to high concentration by the help of energy. As for example, in the plant cell, active transport
occurs in the cells of root by absorbing minerals and water.

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19. List the names of 5 organelles and describe their functions:
Answer:
 Cytosol – cytosol is a gel like matrix and it assist to holds
nutrients and water molecule.
 Nucleus – nucleus is a structure of body which stores the
genetic information.
 Ribosomes – ribosome bound with the endoplasmic
reticulum and nucleus membrane and it assist to makes
protein.
 Golgi apparatus – ships and sorts protein and packaging
 Lysosomes – it assists to eliminates unwanted products
and waste materials
20. Explain in detail how diffusion across the cell membrane occurs:
Answer- Diffusion occurs when the molecules are free to move. They
move from a region where they are present in very high concentration to
a region where they are present in very low concentration. This process
occurs due to the spreading of particle. It is occurring in gaseous
molecules not occur in solid molecules. It occurs due to the random
motion of gaseous molecules.
21. What substances diffuse freely across the cell membrane?
Answer: only uncharged small substances or molecules can diffuse freely
via the bilayers of phospholipids present in the plasma membrane layer.
Some of the nonpolar molecule as for example CO2 and O2 which are
soluble in the lipid bilayer, can freely or radially move through the or
across the cell membrane.
22. Why do some substances have to diffuse through membrane channels?
Answer: some of the substance which are charged and polar in nature
cannot pass through the water region. Therefore, to avoid the
hydrophobic core region of the plasma membrane they have to diffuse
through the membrane channels. Water can decrease the speed or block
the way of these substances into the cell.
23. What do cells use as energy (do not use abbreviations)?
Answer: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), is the principal source of energy to utilize and store in the cell. It is a
type of chemical energy which is obtained from the breakdown of food molecules and it release to fuel
another process of cell.

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24. Explain what receptors are and why they are important:
Answer: Receptors are the biological protein molecules which generally
found on the surface of the cell and bind with ligands and show response
in the immune system of the body. Receptor can induce cell division, cell
growth and cell death. It can control the channel of the cell membrane
and also regulate the cell binding process. It plays a crucial role in signal
immunotherapy, immune response, and transduction.
25. Define the term ‘semi permeable’:
Answer: Semi- permeable is a term which means partially permeable that is not wholly or freely
permeable for all type of molecules. A semi-permeable membrane is that membrane which does not allow
all type of molecule s to move via the membrane, it allows only certain type of molecule to permeate
through the membrane in certain condition.

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Homeostasis
1. Fill in the blank spaces in the following sentences:
a. The pathway that conveys messages towards the control center is
known as the
Afferent pathway.
b. The pathway that conveys messages away from the control center is
known as the efferent pathway.
2.What are receptors? (give example)
Answer: Receptors are the biological proteinous entity which commonly
found on the surface of cell and can bind with ligands and show response
in the system of living body. Receptor can induce cell death, cell division,
and cell growth. It can control channel of the cell membrane and also
regulate the binding process of cell. It shows a crucial role in signal
immune response, immunotherapy, and transduction.
Example:
 G-protein coupled receptor
 Intracellular steroid receptor
 Ligand gated ion channel receptor
 Tyrosine kinase coupled receptor.
3. What are effectors? (give example)
Answer: An effector is the part of the living body that can show response
for a stimulus or signals as per the instructions sent via the nervous
system of the body (brain or spinal cord). Some of the example of the
effectors cell are muscles, glands, skeletal system and so on.
4. List the 2 most important systems involved in the maintenance of homeostasis.
a. The Central Nervous System (CNS) And Endocrine System are the systems
involved in the maintenance of homeostasis. Negative feedback mechanisms
regulate endocrine system in order to maintain homeostasis. The
concentration of different hormones and their effect on human body in
controlled by homeostasis. For instance, regulation of glucose in blood is
regulated and controlled by hormones named, insulin and glucagon produced
by the pancreas. The central nervous system participates in homeostasis
maintenance by regulating and controlling the other parts if the body.
Receptor receive stimulus due to any sort of deviation which send impulses to
the brain's regulating center
5.Very few activities of the body are controlled by a negative feedback

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mechanism
True or false
False; not few rather most of the physiological functions are controlled by negative
feedback mechanism in human body. This feedback mechanism is majorly responsible
to maintain homeostasis within biological system. Negative feedback prevents many
functions of the body to cross normal range. This mechanism tends to reverse the
physiological variables once the normal range get exceeds.
6.All activities of the body are controlled by a positive feedback mechanism.
True or false
Answer: False, in the body positive feedback mechanism are rare. Only some of the mechanism are occur
through the positive feedback mechanism which are mentioned below:
Example: release of oxytocin via posterior pituitary gland at the time of labor pain.
Mother breast produced milk at the time of baby feeding
Blood ph. level is an example of positive feedback
7. Use the following words to label the homeostatic control mechanism below:
receptor, effector, control centre, efferent & afferent pathway.
1 –Receptor 2 – Afferent, 3 – Control Centre 4 – Efferent 5 – Effector
8.The afferent pathway sends information from the Stimulus. to the
Central nervous system.
9.The efferent pathway sends information from the Central nervous system to the
muscles and glands of the body.
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10. In relation to homeostasis, briefly explain the function of:
A) a negative feedback mechanism and give an example: Negative loops
act in the direction to oppose the stimulus and reduce the sense of trigger
and decrease the specific function. It leads to lessen the output of the system
which brings the system to state of stabilization. For example; high body
temperature brings down to normal by negative feedback loop.
B) a positive feedback mechanism and give an example: Positive feedback
loops comes in activity in nature when the product of a reaction results to
increase in that particular reaction. A positive loop moves a system further
away from the target of equilibrium. In order to bring it in act the positive loop
tends to amplify the effect of an event and acts when something requires to
be happen quickly.

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Multiple choice:
1. ATP is manufactured in the:
☐ Mitochondria
☐ Golgi apparatus
☐ Lysosomes
☐ Ribosomes
2. Organelles are found in the:
☐ Nucleus
☐ Cytoplasm
☐ Cell membrane
☐ Nuclear membrane
3. The site for protein synthesis is the:
☐ Ribosomes
☐ Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
☐ Lysosomes
☐ None of the above
4. The cell membrane is specialized because:
☐ Only harmless substances may enter the cell through the membrane
☐ Only selective substances can enter the cell and waste product can
pass out of the cell through the membrane
☐ Oxygen and other gases are the only substances capable of
crossing the membrane
☐ Cells bringing oxygen and other nutrients can pass through it.
5. Which of the following is not a description of the cell membrane?
☐ It regulates the passage of materials entering but not exiting the cells
☐ It is organised as a double layer of phospholipids molecules
☐ It is a boundary that surrounds and protects every cell
☐ It contains protein that act as receptor site for attachment to
chemical messengers from endocrine glands

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6. Which of the following are passive processes?
☐ Diffusion, osmosis and active transport
☐ Simple diffusion, osmosis and facilitated transport
☐ Diffusion, active transport and ventilation
☐ Active transport, movement and osmosis
7.Which of the following is listed in the correct order?
☐ Control centre, effector, receptor, afferent pathway, efferent pathway
☐ Receptor, efferent pathway, control centre, effector, afferent pathway
☐ Receptor, efferent pathway, control centre, afferent pathway, effector
☐ Receptor, afferent pathway, control centre, efferent pathway, effector
8. Which of the following is not regulated by a negative feedback?
☐ Blood pressure
☐ Body temperature
☐ Blood glucose level
☐ Blood clotting