The Science of Anatomy and
Physiology
Anatomy
• the study of internal
and external
structures and the
physical relationship
between body parts
• Greek – a cutting
open
Physiology
• the study of how living
things perform their
vital functions
These two subjects are interrelated because
“structure determines function”
Anatomy can be categorized based on the degree
of structural detail under consideration:
Microscopic anatomy:
• considers structures
that can NOT be
seen without
magnification
• the boundaries are
established by the
limits of the
equipment used
(BAT)
Macroscopic anatomy:
• considers the
structures that can
be seen without
magnification
• aka gross anatomy
Which is which?
• Classify each as either anatomy or
physiology
– mass of a liver
– The cross section of a brain
– The pumping of blood through an artery
– The size of a female tarsal bone
– The exchanging of oxygen in the lungs
– How a muscle contracts
Review…
• Anatomy or
Physiology?
– Stomach acids
digesting food
– The gray matter of the
brain
– Pigmentation of the
skin
– Blinking of the eyes
• Macroscopic or
microscopic
–
–
–
–
Diseased lung
Bones
Hair root bulb
Sense receptors on
the tongue
Levels of organization:
There are 6 different levels, each
increasing in complexity
Chemical or Molecular Level
• atoms combine to
form molecules [i.e.
proteins, DNA,
enzymes, etc..] with
complex shapes
• the shape of the
molecules determines
its function
Cellular Level
• different molecules interact to form
organelles
• each types of organelle has a specific
function
• organelles perform vital functions that
keep the cell alive
• cells represent this level
Tissue Level
 tissue is composed of
similar cells working
together to perform a
specific function
Organ Level
 organs consist of two
or more different
tissues that work
together to perform a
specific function
Organ System Level
 when different organs
work together to
perform a specific
function
Organism Level
 all of the organ systems of the body
working together to maintain life and
health
Each level of organization depends on the others, and
damage at the cellular, tissue, or organ level can affect the
entire system
Because all parts of a system are interdependent,
damage to one component will ultimately affect the system
as a whole
Your summary of Levels of
Organization
• For your summary please make a flow
chart molecules to organism
– Off of each level give examples
Bell Ringer…
1. What level(s) of organization would be
considered microscopic anatomy? Gross
anatomy?
2. Give an example for each level of
organization
Bell Ringer…
• Anatomy or
Physiology?
– Stomach acids
digesting food
– The gray matter of the
brain
– Pigmentation of the
skin
– Blinking of the eyes
• Macroscopic or
microscopic
–
–
–
–
Diseased lung
Bones
Hair root bulb
Sense receptors on
the tongue
Bell Ringer…
Tell if anatomy of physiology…
– Measuring an organ’s
size, shape, and
weight
– Chemistry principles
– Measuring the acid
content of the stomach
– Observing a heart in
action
– Dynamic
– Dissections
– Experimentation
– Observation
– Can be studied in
dead specimens
– Often studied in living
things
– Principle of physics
– static
Necessary Life Functions…
• All highly complex living things must:
– Maintain boundaries
– Move
– Respond to environmental changes
– Carry out metabolism
• Take in and digest nutrients
– Dispose of wastes
– Grow
– Reproduce themselves
Requirements of Organisms…
• Human life depends upon the following
environmental factors:
– Water
– Food
– Oxygen
– Heat
– pressure
Water…
• The most abundant substance in the body
(60 – 80% of our body weight)
• It is required for a variety of metabolic
processes, and it provides the
environment in which most of them take
place
• Transports substances within the
organisms
• Important in regulating body temperature
Food (nutrients)…
• Any substance that provides organisms
with necessary chemicals (nutrients) in
addition to water
• Supply energy and raw materials for
building new living matter
Oxygen…
• A gas that makes up about one-fifth of the
air
• It is used in the process of releasing
energy from nutrients
• The released energy is used to drive
metabolic processes
Heat…
• A form of energy that is present in our
environment
• If varies in either direction, can cause problems
• It can be a product of metabolic reactions and it
partly controls the rate at which these reactions
occur
– In general – the more heat, the more rapid the
reactions will take place
• Remember: temperature is a measure of the
amount of heat present
Pressure…
• Is the application of forces on an object or
substance
• It plays an important role in breathing
• It also plays an important role in
hydrostatic pressure (the pressure exerted
by a liquid)
– Blood pressure – which keeps blood flowing
through blood vessels
Which is which?
• Includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and minerals
• Essential for normal operation of the respiratory system
and breathing
• Single substance accounting for over 60% of body
weight
• Required for the release of energy from foodstuffs
• Provides the basis for body fluids of all types
• When too high or too low, physiological activities cease,
primarily because molecules are destroyed or become
nonfunctional