Intro to Anatomy & Physiology
First….
Brief History – Andreas Vesalius
Intro to Anatomy & Physiology
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Anatomy & Physiology are subspecialties of
biology (study of life)
Most important life processes of the human
body:
metabolism (catabolism + anabolism)
responsiveness
movement
growth
differentiation
reproduction
Anatomy & Physiology Defined
• Anatomy = the study of the structure of body
parts and their relationships to one another
• Physiology = the study of the function of the
body’s structures; often focuses at the molecular
level
Levels of Structural Organization
• Chemical level – atoms combine to form
molecules
• Cellular level – cells are made of molecules
• Tissue level – consists of similar types of cells
• Organ level – made up of different types of
tissues
• Organ system level– consists of different organs
that work closely together
• Organism level – made up of the organ systems
Smooth muscle cell
Molecules
2 Cellular level
Cells are made up of molecules
Atoms
Smooth
muscle
tissue
3 Tissue level
Tissues consist of
similar types of
cells
1 Chemical level
Atoms combine to
form molecules
Heart
Cardiovascular
system
Epithelial
tissue
Smooth
muscle
tissue
Connective
tissue
4 Organ level
Organs are made up of
different types of tissues
Blood
vessels
Blood
vessel
(organ)
6 Organismal level
The human organism is
made up of many organ
systems
5 Organ system level
Organ systems consist of different organs
that work together closely
Organ Systems
(11 in the human body)
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Integumentary
Skeletal
Muscular
Nervous
Endocrine
Cardiovascular
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Lymphatic
Respiratory
Digestive
Urinary
Reproductive
Organ Systems Interrelationships
• The human body is made up of several organ systems
that work together as one unit.
• Organ systems interact to maintain homeostasis
• Example – Integumentary System
Protects the internal structures of the body from
damage, prevents dehydration, stores fat and produces
vitamins and hormones.
Primary components –
skin, nails, hair, sweat glands