Human Anatomy and Physiology - Terminologies
Human Anatomy and Physiology - is the study and understanding of how the human body is
organized and functions. (Anatomy studies the parts, Physiology studies their functions.)
Homeostasis - When structure and function are coordinated the body achieves a relative
stability of its internal environment, the internal environment of a healthy body remains the same
within normal limits.
Under normal conditions, homeostasis is maintained by adaptive mechanisms;
e.g. control center in the brain, chemical substances called hormones.
Some of the functions controlled by homeostasis mechanisms are;
blood pressure,
body temperature,
breathing,
and heart rate.
Levels of structural organization of the body
1. Atoms, molecules and compounds: - At its simplest level, the body is composed of atoms.
The most common elements in living organisms are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
phosphorus and sulfur.
Atoms→ Molecule → Compounds.
2. Cell:
-The smallest independent units of life. Human life depends on the chemical activities of the
cells.
Some of the basic functions of a cell are: growth, metabolism, irritability and reproduction.
3. Tissue
: -is made up of many similar cells that perform a specific function.
Four groups of tissue;
Epithelial tissue: - Found in the outer layer of skin, lining of organs, blood and lymph vessels
and body cavities.
Human Anatomy and Physiology - is the study and understanding of how the human body is
organized and functions. (Anatomy studies the parts, Physiology studies their functions.)
Homeostasis - When structure and function are coordinated the body achieves a relative
stability of its internal environment, the internal environment of a healthy body remains the same
within normal limits.
Under normal conditions, homeostasis is maintained by adaptive mechanisms;
e.g. control center in the brain, chemical substances called hormones.
Some of the functions controlled by homeostasis mechanisms are;
blood pressure,
body temperature,
breathing,
and heart rate.
Levels of structural organization of the body
1. Atoms, molecules and compounds: - At its simplest level, the body is composed of atoms.
The most common elements in living organisms are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
phosphorus and sulfur.
Atoms→ Molecule → Compounds.
2. Cell:
-The smallest independent units of life. Human life depends on the chemical activities of the
cells.
Some of the basic functions of a cell are: growth, metabolism, irritability and reproduction.
3. Tissue
: -is made up of many similar cells that perform a specific function.
Four groups of tissue;
Epithelial tissue: - Found in the outer layer of skin, lining of organs, blood and lymph vessels
and body cavities.
