Anatomy and Physiology
The Biology Corner
Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Anatomy and
Physiology
Anatomy: Structure of Body Parts. Morphology
Physiology: Function of body parts. What they do and how.
*A & P are very closely related - structure closely related to function
Characteristics of Life
Movement - self initiated change in position, motion of internal parts
Responsiveness (irritability) - Ability to sense changes within, or around
the organism and react to them
Growth - increase in body size
Reproduction - Parents produce offspring / producing new individuals
Respiration - Obtaining oxygen (O2), using it to release energy from
food substances, and getting rid of wastes
Digestion - Chemically changing (breaking down) food substances, and
getting rid of wastes
Absorption - Passage of Digested products (food substances) through
membranes and into body fluids
Circulation - Movement of substances throughout the body
Assimilation - Changing absorbed substances into chemically different
substances
Excretion - Removal of wastes
METABOLISM:: All physical and chemical changes occuring in an organism
Needs: Water, food, oxygen, heat, pressure - all must be regulated
HOMEOSTASIS: Tendency of the body to maintain a stable, balanced internal
environment. Accomplished through self regulating adjustments
Levels of Organization (from simplest to most complex)
Source URL: http://www.biologycorner.com/anatomy/chap1.html
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/courses/bio304/
Attributed to: [The Biology Corner] www.saylor.org
Page 1 of 5
, Atoms --> Molecules -->
Macromolecules --> Organelles --
> Cells --> Tissues --> Organs -->
Organ Systems --> Organism
*A group (mass) of cells working
together to carry out certain
common functions form a tissue
*A group of tissues working
together to carry out certain
common functions form an organ
*A group of organs........
General Organization of the
Body:
Axial Portion - head, neck, trunk
Appendicular Portion - arms & legs
1. Several body cavities
2. Layers of membranes within cavities
3. Variety of organs and organ systems within cavities (VISCERA = internal
organs. "Visceral organs")
Body Cavities (see p.9)
A. Dorsal Cavity ---Cranial Cavity - Brain, Spinal Cavity - Spinal Cord
B. Ventral Cavity
1. Thoracic Cavity - right and left compartment separated by mediastinum.
Heart , lungs, esophagus, trachea
2. Abdominopelvic Cavity
---Abdominal cavity - stomach, spleen, liver, gall bladder, small intestine
---Pelvic cavity - part of the large intestine, urinary bladder, reproductive
organs
*Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavity separated by DIAPHRAGM
*The organs within the cavities are surrounded by a type of two layered
membrane called the SEROUS MEMBRANE
Source URL: http://www.biologycorner.com/anatomy/chap1.html
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/courses/bio304/
Attributed to: [The Biology Corner] www.saylor.org
Page 2 of 5
The Biology Corner
Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Anatomy and
Physiology
Anatomy: Structure of Body Parts. Morphology
Physiology: Function of body parts. What they do and how.
*A & P are very closely related - structure closely related to function
Characteristics of Life
Movement - self initiated change in position, motion of internal parts
Responsiveness (irritability) - Ability to sense changes within, or around
the organism and react to them
Growth - increase in body size
Reproduction - Parents produce offspring / producing new individuals
Respiration - Obtaining oxygen (O2), using it to release energy from
food substances, and getting rid of wastes
Digestion - Chemically changing (breaking down) food substances, and
getting rid of wastes
Absorption - Passage of Digested products (food substances) through
membranes and into body fluids
Circulation - Movement of substances throughout the body
Assimilation - Changing absorbed substances into chemically different
substances
Excretion - Removal of wastes
METABOLISM:: All physical and chemical changes occuring in an organism
Needs: Water, food, oxygen, heat, pressure - all must be regulated
HOMEOSTASIS: Tendency of the body to maintain a stable, balanced internal
environment. Accomplished through self regulating adjustments
Levels of Organization (from simplest to most complex)
Source URL: http://www.biologycorner.com/anatomy/chap1.html
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/courses/bio304/
Attributed to: [The Biology Corner] www.saylor.org
Page 1 of 5
, Atoms --> Molecules -->
Macromolecules --> Organelles --
> Cells --> Tissues --> Organs -->
Organ Systems --> Organism
*A group (mass) of cells working
together to carry out certain
common functions form a tissue
*A group of tissues working
together to carry out certain
common functions form an organ
*A group of organs........
General Organization of the
Body:
Axial Portion - head, neck, trunk
Appendicular Portion - arms & legs
1. Several body cavities
2. Layers of membranes within cavities
3. Variety of organs and organ systems within cavities (VISCERA = internal
organs. "Visceral organs")
Body Cavities (see p.9)
A. Dorsal Cavity ---Cranial Cavity - Brain, Spinal Cavity - Spinal Cord
B. Ventral Cavity
1. Thoracic Cavity - right and left compartment separated by mediastinum.
Heart , lungs, esophagus, trachea
2. Abdominopelvic Cavity
---Abdominal cavity - stomach, spleen, liver, gall bladder, small intestine
---Pelvic cavity - part of the large intestine, urinary bladder, reproductive
organs
*Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavity separated by DIAPHRAGM
*The organs within the cavities are surrounded by a type of two layered
membrane called the SEROUS MEMBRANE
Source URL: http://www.biologycorner.com/anatomy/chap1.html
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/courses/bio304/
Attributed to: [The Biology Corner] www.saylor.org
Page 2 of 5
