Anatomy and Physiology Overview

Definition: Study of the structure and organization of living organisms.
Levels of Organization:
1. Cells: Basic unit of life.
2. Tissues: Groups of similar cells (e.g., epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).
3. Organs: Structures composed of two or more tissue types (e.g., heart, liver).
4. Organ Systems: Groups of organs that work together (e.g., circulatory, respiratory).
Body Planes:
- Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right.
- Coronal Plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back).
- Transverse Plane: Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower).
Directional Terms:
- Superior: Above or higher than another part.
- Inferior: Below or lower than another part.
- Anterior: Front of the body.
- Posterior: Back of the body.
- Medial: Closer to the midline.
- Lateral: Farther from the midline.

Definition: Study of the functions and processes of the body's systems.
Key Concepts:
- Homeostasis: Maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.
- Metabolism: Chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, including:
  - Catabolism: Breakdown of molecules for energy.
  - Anabolism: Synthesis of all compounds needed by the cells.
Major Systems and Functions:
1. Nervous System: Controls body responses through electrical signals.
2. Endocrine System: Regulates bodily functions through hormones.
3. Circulatory System: Transports nutrients, gases, and wastes through blood.
4. Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
5. Digestive System: Breaks down food into nutrients for energy and growth.
6. Musculoskeletal System: Provides structure, support, and enables movement.
7. Immune System: Defends against pathogens and disease.
8. Reproductive System: Responsible for producing offspring.

Structure influences function (e.g., the shape of the heart facilitates blood pumping).
Understanding anatomy is essential for comprehending physiological processes.

Study of the structure and organization of living organisms.
Levels of Organization:
- Cells are the basic unit of life.
- Tissues consist of groups of similar cells such as epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues.
- Organs are structures made of two or more tissue types, e.g., heart, liver.
- Organ Systems are groups of organs that function together, such as the circulatory and respiratory systems.
Body Planes:
- Sagittal Plane divides the body into left and right halves.
- Coronal Plane separates the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
- Transverse Plane splits the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.
Directional Terms:
- Superior refers to a position above another part.
- Inferior indicates a position below another part.
- Anterior describes the front aspect of the body.
- Posterior refers to the back aspect of the body.
- Medial means closer to the midline of the body.
- Lateral indicates a position farther from the midline.

Study of the functions and processes of the body's systems.
Key Concepts:
- Homeostasis is the ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external variations.
- Metabolism involves chemical processes for life maintenance, including:
  - Catabolism, which breaks down molecules for energy.
  - Anabolism, which synthesizes compounds essential for cellular needs.
Major Systems and Functions:
- Nervous System controls responses through electrical signals.
- Endocrine System regulates functions via hormones.
- Circulatory System transports nutrients, gases, and wastes in the blood.
- Respiratory System enables gas exchange, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Digestive System processes food into nutrients for energy and growth.
- Musculoskeletal System provides structure and facilitates movement.
- Immune System protects against pathogens and diseases.
- Reproductive System is responsible for producing offspring.

The structure of biological components influences their function, exemplified by the shape of the heart, which is adapted for effective blood pumping.
A thorough understanding of anatomical structures is essential for comprehending physiological mechanisms and processes.