ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
STUDY GUIDE
Organization Of The Human Body
INTRODUCTION
In this course you will learn why nurses need to study anatomy and physiology. Nurses need to
understand how to take good care of themselves and their patients.
The body must remain in a balanced condition to operate. When one's body has a problem in
balance, health professionals must figure out how to recover the body's stability to help the patient.
1. DEFINITION OF ANOTOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Anatomy is the science of body structures and the relationship among them.Body structures can be
big example (a major like the liver) or very small eg(tissues and cells) which require a microscope
for these to be seen.
Physiology is the science of body functions how body parts work. Example in physiology, we would
be interested to know how heart pumps blood and what could be the regulatory mechanisms that
maintain the amount of blood ejected every minute (called the cardiac output).
2. LEVELS OF STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION
In studying anatomy and physiology, understanding the six levels of organization will allow you as s
student to examine anatomical structures and physiological processes in details.
The six level of organization are as follows:
1. Chemical level- this is the basic level of organization and includes substances involved in
chemical reactions such as enzymes, neurotransmitters, and hormones. This also includes the
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the genetic material, which is important to drive body processes and is
passed down from one generation to another.
2. Cellular level- this is a basic functional unit in the body. There are many kinds of cells in the body
and you will learn more about these in the next topic.
3. Tissue level- certain cells that work together and perform specific functions are call tissues. There
are four main types of tissues: epithelium, connective, muscle, and nerve tissues. You will learn more
about these in the next topic.
4. Organ level- these are structures that are made up of two or more different tissue types and they
have specific functions.
5. System level- this is also called the organ-system level. This is composed of several organs with a
, common function. For example, the respiratory system is involved in ensuring ventilation and this
function is carried out by several organs such as the nose, pharynx, trachea, bronchus, and the lungs.
6. Organism level- this pertains to an organism with functioning body parts.
There are 11organ system in the body as show below in the table and their specific function
Name of the organ system Functions
Integumentary system Protects the body as the first line of defense;
helps regulate body temperature; eliminates
some wastes in the form of sweat; helps make
Vitamin D; and detects sensations such as
touch, pain, warth and cold
Skeleton system Supports and protects the body; provides a
surface area for muscle attachments; aids body
movements; houses cells that produce blood
cells (the bone marrows); stores minerals (e.g.,
calcium) and lipids.
Muscular system Produces body movements such as walking;
stabilizes body position; and generates heat
Nervous system Generates action potentials (nerve impulses) to
regulate body activities; detects changes in the
body’s internal and external environments;
interprets changes and responds by causing
muscular contractions or glandular secretions.
Endocrine system Regulates body activities by releasing hormones
which are chemical messengers transported in
blood from an endocrine gland or tissue to a
target organ
Cardiovascular system The heart pumps blood through blood vessels;
STUDY GUIDE
Organization Of The Human Body
INTRODUCTION
In this course you will learn why nurses need to study anatomy and physiology. Nurses need to
understand how to take good care of themselves and their patients.
The body must remain in a balanced condition to operate. When one's body has a problem in
balance, health professionals must figure out how to recover the body's stability to help the patient.
1. DEFINITION OF ANOTOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Anatomy is the science of body structures and the relationship among them.Body structures can be
big example (a major like the liver) or very small eg(tissues and cells) which require a microscope
for these to be seen.
Physiology is the science of body functions how body parts work. Example in physiology, we would
be interested to know how heart pumps blood and what could be the regulatory mechanisms that
maintain the amount of blood ejected every minute (called the cardiac output).
2. LEVELS OF STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION
In studying anatomy and physiology, understanding the six levels of organization will allow you as s
student to examine anatomical structures and physiological processes in details.
The six level of organization are as follows:
1. Chemical level- this is the basic level of organization and includes substances involved in
chemical reactions such as enzymes, neurotransmitters, and hormones. This also includes the
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the genetic material, which is important to drive body processes and is
passed down from one generation to another.
2. Cellular level- this is a basic functional unit in the body. There are many kinds of cells in the body
and you will learn more about these in the next topic.
3. Tissue level- certain cells that work together and perform specific functions are call tissues. There
are four main types of tissues: epithelium, connective, muscle, and nerve tissues. You will learn more
about these in the next topic.
4. Organ level- these are structures that are made up of two or more different tissue types and they
have specific functions.
5. System level- this is also called the organ-system level. This is composed of several organs with a
, common function. For example, the respiratory system is involved in ensuring ventilation and this
function is carried out by several organs such as the nose, pharynx, trachea, bronchus, and the lungs.
6. Organism level- this pertains to an organism with functioning body parts.
There are 11organ system in the body as show below in the table and their specific function
Name of the organ system Functions
Integumentary system Protects the body as the first line of defense;
helps regulate body temperature; eliminates
some wastes in the form of sweat; helps make
Vitamin D; and detects sensations such as
touch, pain, warth and cold
Skeleton system Supports and protects the body; provides a
surface area for muscle attachments; aids body
movements; houses cells that produce blood
cells (the bone marrows); stores minerals (e.g.,
calcium) and lipids.
Muscular system Produces body movements such as walking;
stabilizes body position; and generates heat
Nervous system Generates action potentials (nerve impulses) to
regulate body activities; detects changes in the
body’s internal and external environments;
interprets changes and responds by causing
muscular contractions or glandular secretions.
Endocrine system Regulates body activities by releasing hormones
which are chemical messengers transported in
blood from an endocrine gland or tissue to a
target organ
Cardiovascular system The heart pumps blood through blood vessels;
