HOLE'S HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
15th Edition — Shier, Butler & Lewis
Premium Original Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide • Chapters 1–24
Designed for: nursing • pre-nursing • allied health • biology • health sciences
Important: This is an original educational study guide inspired by the publicly visible topic structure of the linked Stuvia resource and
the 15th-edition chapter coverage. It does not reproduce the copyrighted test bank, answer key, or proprietary exam questions. All
practice questions in this PDF are newly authored.
Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology 15e — Original Study Guide Page 1
, Master Course Map
Ch. Core Topic Highest-Yield Ideas
1 Introduction levels of organization, homeostasis, anatomical position, planes, cavities
2 Chemical Basis atoms, bonds, water, pH, macromolecules
3 Cells organelles, membranes, transport, cell cycle, stem cells
4 Metabolism ATP, enzymes, cellular respiration, protein synthesis, genetics basics
5 Tissues epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous tissue, membranes
6 Integumentary skin layers, accessory structures, thermoregulation, wound healing
7 Skeletal bone structure, growth, remodeling, axial/appendicular skeleton
8 Joints classification, synovial joints, movements
9 Muscular sarcomeres, contraction, neuromuscular junction, muscle types
10–12 Nervous/Senses neurons, action potentials, CNS/PNS, ANS, sensory receptors
13 Endocrine hormones, feedback, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas
14–16 Blood/Cardiovascular/Immune formed elements, heart, vessels, pressure, immunity
17–18 Digestive/Nutrition GI anatomy, absorption, nutrients, metabolism
19 Respiratory ventilation, gas exchange, transport, regulation
20–21 Urinary/Fluid & Acid-Base nephron, filtration, reabsorption, electrolytes, compensation
22–24 Reproductive/Development/Genetics
gametogenesis, pregnancy, inheritance, chromosomes, genomics
Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology 15e — Original Study Guide Page 2
, 1. Foundations: Anatomy, Physiology & Homeostasis
Anatomy examines structure; physiology examines function. Structure and function are inseparable: a feature of a cell, tissue, or
organ often explains what it can do.
The levels of organization progress from chemical to cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels. Each higher level
depends on coordinated lower-level structures.
Homeostasis is dynamic regulation that keeps internal conditions within ranges compatible with life. A homeostatic control system
generally includes a receptor, control center, and effector.
Negative feedback counteracts a deviation from a set point or regulated range. Positive feedback amplifies a process until a defined
endpoint occurs, such as labor contractions or blood clotting.
Anatomical terminology provides a common language: superior/inferior, anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, proximal/distal,
superficial/deep. Planes include sagittal, frontal, and transverse.
Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology 15e — Original Study Guide Page 3
, 2. Chemical Basis of Life
Atoms contain protons, neutrons, and electrons. Atomic number reflects proton number; isotopes differ in neutron number.
Ionic bonds involve attraction between oppositely charged ions. Covalent bonds involve shared electrons. Hydrogen bonds are
weaker attractions that are extremely important in water and biological molecules.
Water is polar and supports cohesion, adhesion, temperature regulation, and dissolution of many substances.
Carbohydrates are important energy sources and structural molecules; lipids provide energy storage and participate in membranes
and signaling; proteins perform structural, transport, enzymatic, contractile, and regulatory functions; nucleic acids store and express
genetic information.
pH reflects hydrogen-ion concentration. Buffers resist abrupt pH changes by binding or releasing hydrogen ions.
Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology 15e — Original Study Guide Page 4
15th Edition — Shier, Butler & Lewis
Premium Original Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide • Chapters 1–24
Designed for: nursing • pre-nursing • allied health • biology • health sciences
Important: This is an original educational study guide inspired by the publicly visible topic structure of the linked Stuvia resource and
the 15th-edition chapter coverage. It does not reproduce the copyrighted test bank, answer key, or proprietary exam questions. All
practice questions in this PDF are newly authored.
Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology 15e — Original Study Guide Page 1
, Master Course Map
Ch. Core Topic Highest-Yield Ideas
1 Introduction levels of organization, homeostasis, anatomical position, planes, cavities
2 Chemical Basis atoms, bonds, water, pH, macromolecules
3 Cells organelles, membranes, transport, cell cycle, stem cells
4 Metabolism ATP, enzymes, cellular respiration, protein synthesis, genetics basics
5 Tissues epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous tissue, membranes
6 Integumentary skin layers, accessory structures, thermoregulation, wound healing
7 Skeletal bone structure, growth, remodeling, axial/appendicular skeleton
8 Joints classification, synovial joints, movements
9 Muscular sarcomeres, contraction, neuromuscular junction, muscle types
10–12 Nervous/Senses neurons, action potentials, CNS/PNS, ANS, sensory receptors
13 Endocrine hormones, feedback, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas
14–16 Blood/Cardiovascular/Immune formed elements, heart, vessels, pressure, immunity
17–18 Digestive/Nutrition GI anatomy, absorption, nutrients, metabolism
19 Respiratory ventilation, gas exchange, transport, regulation
20–21 Urinary/Fluid & Acid-Base nephron, filtration, reabsorption, electrolytes, compensation
22–24 Reproductive/Development/Genetics
gametogenesis, pregnancy, inheritance, chromosomes, genomics
Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology 15e — Original Study Guide Page 2
, 1. Foundations: Anatomy, Physiology & Homeostasis
Anatomy examines structure; physiology examines function. Structure and function are inseparable: a feature of a cell, tissue, or
organ often explains what it can do.
The levels of organization progress from chemical to cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels. Each higher level
depends on coordinated lower-level structures.
Homeostasis is dynamic regulation that keeps internal conditions within ranges compatible with life. A homeostatic control system
generally includes a receptor, control center, and effector.
Negative feedback counteracts a deviation from a set point or regulated range. Positive feedback amplifies a process until a defined
endpoint occurs, such as labor contractions or blood clotting.
Anatomical terminology provides a common language: superior/inferior, anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, proximal/distal,
superficial/deep. Planes include sagittal, frontal, and transverse.
Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology 15e — Original Study Guide Page 3
, 2. Chemical Basis of Life
Atoms contain protons, neutrons, and electrons. Atomic number reflects proton number; isotopes differ in neutron number.
Ionic bonds involve attraction between oppositely charged ions. Covalent bonds involve shared electrons. Hydrogen bonds are
weaker attractions that are extremely important in water and biological molecules.
Water is polar and supports cohesion, adhesion, temperature regulation, and dissolution of many substances.
Carbohydrates are important energy sources and structural molecules; lipids provide energy storage and participate in membranes
and signaling; proteins perform structural, transport, enzymatic, contractile, and regulatory functions; nucleic acids store and express
genetic information.
pH reflects hydrogen-ion concentration. Buffers resist abrupt pH changes by binding or releasing hydrogen ions.
Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology 15e — Original Study Guide Page 4
