Anatomy and Physiology Introduction

Anatomy and Physiology

• Anatomy and physiology are two branches of science that provide the foundation for understanding the body's parts and functions.
• Anatomy is the study of the body's structure, including its size, shape, composition, and coloration.
• Physiology is the science of body functions, dealing with how the body parts work.

Levels of Structural Organization

• The human body is organized into six levels of increasing complexity: chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organism.
• The chemical level includes atoms, molecules, and chemicals that make up the body.
• The cellular level consists of cells, the basic structural and functional units of an organism.
• The tissue level is a group of cells with similar structure and function, with four basic types: epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues.
• The organ level consists of different types of tissues joined together to accomplish specific functions.
• The organ system level is a group of organs that contribute to a particular function.
• The organismal level is the entire human body functioning together.

Chemical Level

• Atoms and molecules make up the body's chemicals, which are divided into inorganic and organic categories.
• Inorganic chemicals are usually simple molecules made of one or two elements, excluding carbon.
• Organic chemicals are complex molecules containing carbon and hydrogen, including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and amino acids.
• Examples of important molecules in the body include DNA and glucose.

Cellular Level

• Cells are the basic structural and functional units of an organism, composed of chemicals.
• There are many different types of human cells, including muscle cells, nerve cells, and epithelial cells.
• Each cell carries out specific chemical reactions and has similarities with other cells.

Tissue Level

• A tissue is a group of cells with similar structure and function.
• The four basic types of tissues are epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous tissues.
• Epithelial tissues cover body surfaces, line hollow organs and cavities, and form glands.
• Connective tissues connect, support, and protect body organs while distributing blood vessels to other tissues.
• Muscle tissues are specialized for contraction, generating movement and heat.
• Nerve tissues generate and transmit electrochemical impulses that regulate body functions.

Organ Level

• An organ is a group of tissues precisely arranged to accomplish specific functions.
• Examples of organs include the kidneys, stomach, liver, and heart.

Organ Systems Level

• An organ system is a group of organs that contribute to a particular function.
• Examples of organ systems include the digestive system, which breaks down and absorbs food, and the urinary system, which forms and eliminates urine.
• Sometimes an organ is part of more than one system.

Branches of Anatomy and Physiology

• Branches of anatomy include embryology, developmental biology, cell biology, histology, pathological anatomy, gross anatomy, systemic anatomy, regional anatomy, surface anatomy, and imaging anatomy.
• Branches of physiology include neurophysiology, endocrinology, cardiovascular physiology, immunology, respiratory physiology, and renal physiology.

This quiz introduces the basics of anatomy and physiology, covering the definition, branches, and levels of structural organization, as well as the 11 systems of the human body. It provides a foundation for understanding human health and function.