2026 FINAL EXAM TAKERS Version 2 guide TRU OL BIO 1593|Biology
1593: A Comprehensive Notes on Human Body Anatomy & Physiology
Thompson Rivers University
Module 1: Introduction to the human body
1. Anatomy and Physiology:
- Anatomy is the scientific study of the body’s structures
- Comes from a Greek root which means “to cut apart”
- Began with observations of the exterior of the human body but later advances
to dissections and studies of the insides as well
- Two areas of specialisation : gross anatomy ( large structures) and microscopic
anatomy (small / microscopic structures)
- The body structures are studies through regional anatomy ( interrelationships)
and systemic anatomy ( the structures that make up the body system)
- Physiology is the study of the ways which the structures of the body work
together and support the functions of life
- The study is centred around the idea of homeostasis or the steady conditions
maintained by living things
- Involves observations, manipulations and measurements
- There is a continued connection between anatomy and physiology as you
connect the structure to its function
- It's hard to study the body without using both forms
2. The Different Levels organisation in the human body:
- The body is organised into six levels of increasing complexity
1. Chemical level :
- Atoms bond together to form molecules with three dimensional
structures such as a water molecule
2. Cellular level:
- Contains cells which are the basic structural and functional
units of an organism
- Includes a variety of molecules which are combined to form the
fluids and organelles of a bodies cell
3. Tissue level :
- Consists of groups of similarly specialised cells that perform
certain special functions
, - A community of similar cells form a body tissue
4. Organ level :
- Organs are structures of definite form that have specific
functions and are made up of two or more different tissues
5. Organ system level:
- Two or more organs working together to perform the function
of a body system
- Ex. Urinary tract system
6. Organismal level :
- Many organ systems working together to perform the function
of an independent organism
,3. The major body systems and their general functions:
1. Integumentary systems:
- Encloses internal body structures
- Has many sensory receptors
- Includes skin, hair and nails
2. Skeletal system:
- Supports the body
- Enables movement
- Includes bones, cartilage and joints
3. Muscular system:
- Enables movement with skeletal system
- Maintains body temperature
- Includes skeletal muscles and tendons
4. Nervous system:
- Detects and processes sensory information
- Activates the body's responses
- Includes brain and spinal cord
5. Endocrine system:
- Secretes hormones
- Regulates bodily processes
- Includes, pituitary glands, pancreas and testes
6. Cardiovascular system:
- Delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues
- Equalises temperature in the body
- Includes heart and blood vessels
7. Lymphatic system:
- Returns fluid to the blood
- Defends against pathogens
- Includes, thymus, lymph nodes and spleen
8. Respiratory system:
- Removes carbon dioxide from the body
- Delivers oxygen to blood
- Includes nasal passage, trachea and lungs
9. Digestive system:
- Processes food for use by the body
- Removes waste from undigested foods
- Includes stomach liver and large and small intestines
10. Urinary system:
- Controls water balance in the body
- Removes waste from blood and excretes them
- Includes the kidneys and urinary bladder
11. Male reproductive system:
- Produces sex hormones
- Delivers gametes to female
, - Includes the epididymis and testes
12. Female reproductive system:
- Produces sex hormones
- Supports embryo/fetus till birth
- Produces milk for the infant
- Includes mammary glands, ovaries and uterus
4. List and describe the major characteristics of life
- All living things have certain characteristics that distinguish them from non living
things
1. Metabolism:
- The sum of all chemical processes that occur in the body
- Includes catabolism which is the breaking down of materials and
releasing of energy
- Also includes anabolism which is the building of reactions and the
consumption of energy
2. Responsiveness:
- The ability to detect and respond to changes in the external or internal
environment
3. Movement:
- Includes the motion of the whole body, individual organs singles cells
or even organelles
4. Growth:
- Refers to the increase in size and complexity due to an increase in
number of cells, size of cells or both
5. Differentiation:
- The change in a cell from unspecialized to a specialised state
6. Reproduction:
- The formation of new cells for growth, repair or replacement
- Also includes the production of a new individual
5. Define homeostasis and explain its importance:
- Homeostasis is a condition of equilibrium in the body’s internal environment
- This is produced by the ceaseless interplay of all the bodies regulatory processes
- It is regulated by the nervous system and endocrine system which act together or
independently
- The nervous system detects changes and sends nerve impulses to counteract a
disruption
- The endocrine system regulates homeostasis through secreting hormones
- Nerve impulse causes rapid change while hormones work more slowly
- Homeostasis controls the effect of body temperature along with salt and water levels
and thus maintains the body's stability. Without homeostasis, the life processes and
enzymes will not function properly.
1593: A Comprehensive Notes on Human Body Anatomy & Physiology
Thompson Rivers University
Module 1: Introduction to the human body
1. Anatomy and Physiology:
- Anatomy is the scientific study of the body’s structures
- Comes from a Greek root which means “to cut apart”
- Began with observations of the exterior of the human body but later advances
to dissections and studies of the insides as well
- Two areas of specialisation : gross anatomy ( large structures) and microscopic
anatomy (small / microscopic structures)
- The body structures are studies through regional anatomy ( interrelationships)
and systemic anatomy ( the structures that make up the body system)
- Physiology is the study of the ways which the structures of the body work
together and support the functions of life
- The study is centred around the idea of homeostasis or the steady conditions
maintained by living things
- Involves observations, manipulations and measurements
- There is a continued connection between anatomy and physiology as you
connect the structure to its function
- It's hard to study the body without using both forms
2. The Different Levels organisation in the human body:
- The body is organised into six levels of increasing complexity
1. Chemical level :
- Atoms bond together to form molecules with three dimensional
structures such as a water molecule
2. Cellular level:
- Contains cells which are the basic structural and functional
units of an organism
- Includes a variety of molecules which are combined to form the
fluids and organelles of a bodies cell
3. Tissue level :
- Consists of groups of similarly specialised cells that perform
certain special functions
, - A community of similar cells form a body tissue
4. Organ level :
- Organs are structures of definite form that have specific
functions and are made up of two or more different tissues
5. Organ system level:
- Two or more organs working together to perform the function
of a body system
- Ex. Urinary tract system
6. Organismal level :
- Many organ systems working together to perform the function
of an independent organism
,3. The major body systems and their general functions:
1. Integumentary systems:
- Encloses internal body structures
- Has many sensory receptors
- Includes skin, hair and nails
2. Skeletal system:
- Supports the body
- Enables movement
- Includes bones, cartilage and joints
3. Muscular system:
- Enables movement with skeletal system
- Maintains body temperature
- Includes skeletal muscles and tendons
4. Nervous system:
- Detects and processes sensory information
- Activates the body's responses
- Includes brain and spinal cord
5. Endocrine system:
- Secretes hormones
- Regulates bodily processes
- Includes, pituitary glands, pancreas and testes
6. Cardiovascular system:
- Delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues
- Equalises temperature in the body
- Includes heart and blood vessels
7. Lymphatic system:
- Returns fluid to the blood
- Defends against pathogens
- Includes, thymus, lymph nodes and spleen
8. Respiratory system:
- Removes carbon dioxide from the body
- Delivers oxygen to blood
- Includes nasal passage, trachea and lungs
9. Digestive system:
- Processes food for use by the body
- Removes waste from undigested foods
- Includes stomach liver and large and small intestines
10. Urinary system:
- Controls water balance in the body
- Removes waste from blood and excretes them
- Includes the kidneys and urinary bladder
11. Male reproductive system:
- Produces sex hormones
- Delivers gametes to female
, - Includes the epididymis and testes
12. Female reproductive system:
- Produces sex hormones
- Supports embryo/fetus till birth
- Produces milk for the infant
- Includes mammary glands, ovaries and uterus
4. List and describe the major characteristics of life
- All living things have certain characteristics that distinguish them from non living
things
1. Metabolism:
- The sum of all chemical processes that occur in the body
- Includes catabolism which is the breaking down of materials and
releasing of energy
- Also includes anabolism which is the building of reactions and the
consumption of energy
2. Responsiveness:
- The ability to detect and respond to changes in the external or internal
environment
3. Movement:
- Includes the motion of the whole body, individual organs singles cells
or even organelles
4. Growth:
- Refers to the increase in size and complexity due to an increase in
number of cells, size of cells or both
5. Differentiation:
- The change in a cell from unspecialized to a specialised state
6. Reproduction:
- The formation of new cells for growth, repair or replacement
- Also includes the production of a new individual
5. Define homeostasis and explain its importance:
- Homeostasis is a condition of equilibrium in the body’s internal environment
- This is produced by the ceaseless interplay of all the bodies regulatory processes
- It is regulated by the nervous system and endocrine system which act together or
independently
- The nervous system detects changes and sends nerve impulses to counteract a
disruption
- The endocrine system regulates homeostasis through secreting hormones
- Nerve impulse causes rapid change while hormones work more slowly
- Homeostasis controls the effect of body temperature along with salt and water levels
and thus maintains the body's stability. Without homeostasis, the life processes and
enzymes will not function properly.
