Professional Intro notes
Anatomy and Physiology
1. What Is Anatomy & Physiology?
Anatomy = the study of body structures (what things are and where they’re located).
Physiology = the study of how those body structures function.
They always go together because form determines function — the design of a structure enables
what it can do.
2. Levels of Structural Organization
The human body is organized from simplest to most complex:
1. Chemical Level – atoms & molecules (H₂O, proteins, DNA).
2. Cellular Level – cells are the smallest units of life.
3. Tissue Level – groups of similar cells doing a common function.
4. Organ Level – structures with 2+ tissue types (heart, liver).
, 5. Organ System Level – organs working together (digestive, respiratory).
6. Organism Level – the entire human body.
3. The Eleven Organ Systems & Their Main Functions
1. Integumentary: protection, temperature regulation, vitamin D.
2. Skeletal: support, protection, blood cell production, mineral storage.
3. Muscular: movement, posture, heat production.
4. Nervous: fast communication, control, and coordination.
5. Endocrine: slow, hormone-based control of body processes.
6. Cardiovascular: pumps blood, transports nutrients & wastes.
7. Lymphatic/Immune: fluid return, immune defense.
8. Respiratory: gas exchange (O₂ in, CO₂ out).
9. Digestive: breakdown & absorption of nutrients, waste elimination.
10. Urinary: filtration of blood, removal of nitrogenous wastes, fluid balance.
11. Reproductive: produce gametes, hormones, and offspring.
Anatomy and Physiology
1. What Is Anatomy & Physiology?
Anatomy = the study of body structures (what things are and where they’re located).
Physiology = the study of how those body structures function.
They always go together because form determines function — the design of a structure enables
what it can do.
2. Levels of Structural Organization
The human body is organized from simplest to most complex:
1. Chemical Level – atoms & molecules (H₂O, proteins, DNA).
2. Cellular Level – cells are the smallest units of life.
3. Tissue Level – groups of similar cells doing a common function.
4. Organ Level – structures with 2+ tissue types (heart, liver).
, 5. Organ System Level – organs working together (digestive, respiratory).
6. Organism Level – the entire human body.
3. The Eleven Organ Systems & Their Main Functions
1. Integumentary: protection, temperature regulation, vitamin D.
2. Skeletal: support, protection, blood cell production, mineral storage.
3. Muscular: movement, posture, heat production.
4. Nervous: fast communication, control, and coordination.
5. Endocrine: slow, hormone-based control of body processes.
6. Cardiovascular: pumps blood, transports nutrients & wastes.
7. Lymphatic/Immune: fluid return, immune defense.
8. Respiratory: gas exchange (O₂ in, CO₂ out).
9. Digestive: breakdown & absorption of nutrients, waste elimination.
10. Urinary: filtration of blood, removal of nitrogenous wastes, fluid balance.
11. Reproductive: produce gametes, hormones, and offspring.
