A&P Ch. 1: The Human Body

6/7/2011

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
• Anatomy: The study of structures

The Human Body: An Orientation

• Subdivisions:
– Gross or macroscopic anatomy (ex: regional, systemic anatomy)
– Microscopic (ex: cytology, histology)
– Developmental (ex: embryology)

CH 1

1

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

2

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

• Essential tools for the study of anatomy:
– Mastery of anatomical terminology
– Observation
– Manipulation
– Palpation
– Auscultation

• Physiology: The study of function
• Subdivisions:
– Renal physiology
– Neurophysiology
– Cardiovascular physiology
– Cell physiology

3

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

4

Principle of Complementarity

• Essential tools for the study of physiology:
– Ability to focus at many levels (from systemic to cellular and molecular)
– Basic physical principles (ex: electrical currents, pressure, and movement)
– Basic chemical principles

• Anatomy and physiology are inseparable.
– Function always reflects structure
– What a structure can do depends on its specific form 5

6

1

6/7/2011

Atoms

Levels of Structural Organization
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

1 Chemical level
Atoms combine to form molecules.

Chemicals
Organelles
Cells
Tissues
Organs
Organ systems
Organism

7

Atoms

Molecule

1 Chemical level
Atoms combine to form molecules.

Molecule

Organelle
Smooth muscle cell

Atoms

2 Cellular level
Cells are made up of molecules. 8

2010 Pearson Education, Inc

Organelle
Smooth muscle cell

Molecule

1 Chemical level
Atoms combine to form molecules.

2 Cellular level
Cells are made up of molecules. Smooth muscle tissue

3 Tissue level
Tissues consist of similar types of cells.

9

2010 Pearson Education, Inc

Atoms

Molecule

1 Chemical level
Atoms combine to form molecules.

Organelle
Smooth muscle cell

2 Cellular level
Cells are made up of
molecules.