Chapter 1 The Human Organism
(Seeley's Anatomy and Physiology (13th
edition)
LEARN TO PREDICT:
Renzo, a dancer, can perfectly balance on the ball of one foot, yet a slight movement in any direction
causes him to adjust his position. The human body adjusts its balance among all its parts through a
process called homeostasis.
Let's imagine that Renzo is unknowingly suffering from a blood sugar disorder. Normally, tiny collections
of cells embedded in the pancreas regulate blood sugar by secreting the chemical insulin. Insulin
increases the movement of sugar from the blood into his cells. However, Renzo has been losing a lot of
weight, despite eating the same amount of food as always. He noticed that he's been fatigued, very
thirsty, and urinating more than normal. Renzo went to see his doctor, who ordered some tests,
including a blood glucose challenge. The results showed Renzo's blood sugar was higher than normal.
After trying several treatments such as diet and prescription oral medication w - Answer: Renzo has lost
weight, he is fatigued, he has been urinating more than normal, and he has higher blood sugar levels
than normal. In chapter 1, we learn that homeostasis is the existence and maintenance of a relatively
constant internal environment. In this situation, we saw a disruption in homeostasis because his blood
sugar levels are too high. Normally, increased blood sugar would return to the normal range by the
activity of insulin secreted by the pancreas. When blood sugar returns to normal, insulin secretion stops.
In Renzo's case, his pancreas has stopped making insulin. Renzo is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Thus, the doctor prescribed an insulin pump to take over for his pancreas. Now when Renzo
eats, the insulin pump puts insulin into his blood, and his blood sugar levels are maintained near the set
point.
Define Anatomy - Answer: scientific discipline that investigates the body's structure
e.g. shape and size of bones
Describe the levels at which anatomy can be studied - Answer: Developmental anatomy
Gross anatomy:
systemic (group of 1 or more structures have 1 or more common functions e.g cardiovascular)
,regional (body studied by area: head, abdomen, arm.)
Surface anatomy
MICROSCOPIC anatomy:
Cytology examines the structural features of cells
Histology examines tissues
Define Physiology - Answer: is the scientific investigation of the processes or functions of living things.
TWO Goals:
1 - examining the body's responses to stimuli
2 examining the body's maintenance of stable internal conditions within a narrow range of values.
Describe the levels at which physiology can be studied - Answer: molecular / chemical
cellular
tissue
organ
organ system
organism
Explain the importance of the relationship between structure and function - Answer: Studies of the
human body must encompass both anatomy and physiology because structures, functions and
processes are interwoven.
How does the study of anatomy differ from the study of physiology? - Answer: Anatomy refers to the
internal and external structures of the body and their physical relationships, whereas physiology refers
to the study of the functions of those structures.
,What is studied in gross anatomy? - Answer: the study of structures that can be examined without the
aid of a microscope.
Gross anatomy studies systems and regions.
What is studied in surface anatomy? - Answer: the study of the external form of the body and its
relation to deeper structures.
What type of physiology is employed to study the endocrine system? - Answer: TYPE: Systemic
physiology.
SYSTEM: Endocrine system.
Why are anatomy and physiology normally studied together? - Answer: Physiology explains how the
structures of the body work together to maintain life.
It is difficult to study structure (anatomy) without knowledge of function (physiology).
The two disciplines are typically studied together because form and function are closely related in all
living things.
Learning Outcome:
Explain why it is important to study other organisms along with humans. - Answer: 1 - to gain knowledge
and understanding of organisms
2 - Humans share many characteristics with other organisms
3 - medical advancements and practice e.g. open heart surgery / kidney transplantation practiced before
on animals to negate risk on humans.
, 4 - studying single cell bacteria = synthesized medicine e.g. insulin
5 - human examination critical to ensure accuracy. e.g. Claudius Galen (liver = 5 lobes) Andreas Vesalius
proved unlike animals human = 4 lobes.
Why is it important to recognise that humans share many, but not all , characteristics with other
animals? - Answer: These similarities and differences are revealed through our genetic make-up, the
ways our bodies are constructed and our behaviour.
They help us to understand our place in the animal kingdom by allowing us to work out the evolutionary
relationships between ourselves and other animals.
Name the six levels of organization of the human body. - Answer: 1 Chemical level
2 Cellular level
3 Tissue Level
4 Organ Level
5 Organ system level
6 Organism level
Describe the major characteristics of the six levels of organisation.
1 - Chemical Level
2 - Cellular Level - Answer: 1 Chemical Level
(Seeley's Anatomy and Physiology (13th
edition)
LEARN TO PREDICT:
Renzo, a dancer, can perfectly balance on the ball of one foot, yet a slight movement in any direction
causes him to adjust his position. The human body adjusts its balance among all its parts through a
process called homeostasis.
Let's imagine that Renzo is unknowingly suffering from a blood sugar disorder. Normally, tiny collections
of cells embedded in the pancreas regulate blood sugar by secreting the chemical insulin. Insulin
increases the movement of sugar from the blood into his cells. However, Renzo has been losing a lot of
weight, despite eating the same amount of food as always. He noticed that he's been fatigued, very
thirsty, and urinating more than normal. Renzo went to see his doctor, who ordered some tests,
including a blood glucose challenge. The results showed Renzo's blood sugar was higher than normal.
After trying several treatments such as diet and prescription oral medication w - Answer: Renzo has lost
weight, he is fatigued, he has been urinating more than normal, and he has higher blood sugar levels
than normal. In chapter 1, we learn that homeostasis is the existence and maintenance of a relatively
constant internal environment. In this situation, we saw a disruption in homeostasis because his blood
sugar levels are too high. Normally, increased blood sugar would return to the normal range by the
activity of insulin secreted by the pancreas. When blood sugar returns to normal, insulin secretion stops.
In Renzo's case, his pancreas has stopped making insulin. Renzo is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Thus, the doctor prescribed an insulin pump to take over for his pancreas. Now when Renzo
eats, the insulin pump puts insulin into his blood, and his blood sugar levels are maintained near the set
point.
Define Anatomy - Answer: scientific discipline that investigates the body's structure
e.g. shape and size of bones
Describe the levels at which anatomy can be studied - Answer: Developmental anatomy
Gross anatomy:
systemic (group of 1 or more structures have 1 or more common functions e.g cardiovascular)
,regional (body studied by area: head, abdomen, arm.)
Surface anatomy
MICROSCOPIC anatomy:
Cytology examines the structural features of cells
Histology examines tissues
Define Physiology - Answer: is the scientific investigation of the processes or functions of living things.
TWO Goals:
1 - examining the body's responses to stimuli
2 examining the body's maintenance of stable internal conditions within a narrow range of values.
Describe the levels at which physiology can be studied - Answer: molecular / chemical
cellular
tissue
organ
organ system
organism
Explain the importance of the relationship between structure and function - Answer: Studies of the
human body must encompass both anatomy and physiology because structures, functions and
processes are interwoven.
How does the study of anatomy differ from the study of physiology? - Answer: Anatomy refers to the
internal and external structures of the body and their physical relationships, whereas physiology refers
to the study of the functions of those structures.
,What is studied in gross anatomy? - Answer: the study of structures that can be examined without the
aid of a microscope.
Gross anatomy studies systems and regions.
What is studied in surface anatomy? - Answer: the study of the external form of the body and its
relation to deeper structures.
What type of physiology is employed to study the endocrine system? - Answer: TYPE: Systemic
physiology.
SYSTEM: Endocrine system.
Why are anatomy and physiology normally studied together? - Answer: Physiology explains how the
structures of the body work together to maintain life.
It is difficult to study structure (anatomy) without knowledge of function (physiology).
The two disciplines are typically studied together because form and function are closely related in all
living things.
Learning Outcome:
Explain why it is important to study other organisms along with humans. - Answer: 1 - to gain knowledge
and understanding of organisms
2 - Humans share many characteristics with other organisms
3 - medical advancements and practice e.g. open heart surgery / kidney transplantation practiced before
on animals to negate risk on humans.
, 4 - studying single cell bacteria = synthesized medicine e.g. insulin
5 - human examination critical to ensure accuracy. e.g. Claudius Galen (liver = 5 lobes) Andreas Vesalius
proved unlike animals human = 4 lobes.
Why is it important to recognise that humans share many, but not all , characteristics with other
animals? - Answer: These similarities and differences are revealed through our genetic make-up, the
ways our bodies are constructed and our behaviour.
They help us to understand our place in the animal kingdom by allowing us to work out the evolutionary
relationships between ourselves and other animals.
Name the six levels of organization of the human body. - Answer: 1 Chemical level
2 Cellular level
3 Tissue Level
4 Organ Level
5 Organ system level
6 Organism level
Describe the major characteristics of the six levels of organisation.
1 - Chemical Level
2 - Cellular Level - Answer: 1 Chemical Level
