lOMoARcPSD|5079866
lOMoARcPSD|5079866
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Human Anatomy and Physiology
(Athabasca University)
, lOMoARcPSD|5079866
Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy – is the science of body structures and the relationships among them.
- First studied by Dissection, the careful cutting apart of body structures to study
their relationship.
Physiology – the science of body functions – how the parts work together.
Levels of Structural Organization and Body Systems
Six Levels of Organization
1.) Chemical Level (letters): The very basic level similar to the letters of the alphabet. This
includes:
a. Atoms: smallest unit of matter which participates in chemical reactions.
b. Molecules: Group of two or more atoms joined together (i.e. DNA).
2.) Cellular Level (words): Molecules combine to form Cells, the basic structural and functional
units of an organism (smallest units in the human body). Different types are: muscle cells,
nerve cells, and epithelial cells.
3.) Tissue Level (sentences): Tissues are a group of cells and the materials surrounding
them that work together to perform a function. There are four types of tissue:
a. Epithelial Tissue: covers body surfaces, lines hollow organs and cavities, and
forms glands.
b. Connective Tissue: connects, supports, and protects body organs, while distributing
blood vessels to other tissues.
c. Muscular Tissue: Contracts to make body parts move and generates heat.
d. Nervous Tissue: Carries information from one part of the body to another through
nerve impulses.
4.) Organ Level (paragraphs): Organs are structures composed of two or more different
types of tissues which have specific functions and have recognizable shapes. i.e.
stomach, skin, bones, heart, liver, lungs, and the brain.
5.) System Level (chapter): A System consists of related organs with a common function.
6.) Organism Level (book): An Organism is any living individual. All the parts of the human
body functioning together.
Eleven Systems of the Human Body
1.) Integumentary System
Components: Skin and associated: hair, fingernails, toenails, sweat glands, and
oil
glands.
Functions: Protects body, helps regulate body temperature, eliminates some waste,
makes Vitamin D, sensation, stores fat.
lOMoARcPSD|5079866
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Human Anatomy and Physiology
(Athabasca University)
, lOMoARcPSD|5079866
Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy – is the science of body structures and the relationships among them.
- First studied by Dissection, the careful cutting apart of body structures to study
their relationship.
Physiology – the science of body functions – how the parts work together.
Levels of Structural Organization and Body Systems
Six Levels of Organization
1.) Chemical Level (letters): The very basic level similar to the letters of the alphabet. This
includes:
a. Atoms: smallest unit of matter which participates in chemical reactions.
b. Molecules: Group of two or more atoms joined together (i.e. DNA).
2.) Cellular Level (words): Molecules combine to form Cells, the basic structural and functional
units of an organism (smallest units in the human body). Different types are: muscle cells,
nerve cells, and epithelial cells.
3.) Tissue Level (sentences): Tissues are a group of cells and the materials surrounding
them that work together to perform a function. There are four types of tissue:
a. Epithelial Tissue: covers body surfaces, lines hollow organs and cavities, and
forms glands.
b. Connective Tissue: connects, supports, and protects body organs, while distributing
blood vessels to other tissues.
c. Muscular Tissue: Contracts to make body parts move and generates heat.
d. Nervous Tissue: Carries information from one part of the body to another through
nerve impulses.
4.) Organ Level (paragraphs): Organs are structures composed of two or more different
types of tissues which have specific functions and have recognizable shapes. i.e.
stomach, skin, bones, heart, liver, lungs, and the brain.
5.) System Level (chapter): A System consists of related organs with a common function.
6.) Organism Level (book): An Organism is any living individual. All the parts of the human
body functioning together.
Eleven Systems of the Human Body
1.) Integumentary System
Components: Skin and associated: hair, fingernails, toenails, sweat glands, and
oil
glands.
Functions: Protects body, helps regulate body temperature, eliminates some waste,
makes Vitamin D, sensation, stores fat.
