Study Guide — Chapter 1A: The Human Body—An Orientation
1) Why this matters
Being fluent in anatomical terminology lets you communicate precisely in the health sciences and
connect structure to function for diagnosis and treatment.
2) Core definitions & the big idea
Anatomy: study of body structures and their relationships.
Physiology: study of body functions—how parts work to sustain life.
Principle of complementarity: Function reflects structure; what something can do depends on how it’s
built (e.g., thin alveolar walls enable gas exchange).
3) Subdivisions you should know
Anatomy (how we “look at” the body)
Gross (macroscopic): visible structures
Regional: all parts in one area (e.g., head/neck)
Systemic: one system at a time (e.g., cardiovascular)
Surface: internal structures as they relate to skin markings (veins, muscles)
Microscopic:
Cytology: cells
Histology: tissues
Developmental: growth & change across life
Embryology: before birth Skills used: observe, manipulate, palpate, and auscultate.
Physiology (how we “explain” function)
Often taught by organ system (renal, cardiovascular, etc.).
Focuses on cellular/molecular mechanisms and physical/chemical principles (e.g., electrical currents,
pressure).
4) Levels of structural organization (memorize this ladder)
Chemical: atoms → molecules → organelles
Cellular: the cell (basic unit of life)
, Tissue: groups of similar cells
Organ: ≥2 tissue types working together
Organ system: organs working closely together
Organismal: all systems integrated into one organism Tip: be ready to give an example at each level
(e.g., mitochondrion → cardiomyocyte → cardiac muscle tissue → heart → cardiovascular system →
human).
5) Necessary life functions (what living systems must do)
Maintain boundaries: plasma membranes; skin separates internal from external.
Movement: skeletal muscle moves body; smooth muscle moves food/urine; cardiac muscle moves
blood.
Responsiveness: sense & react (withdrawal reflex; adjust breathing rate).
Digestion: break down food; absorb to blood.
Metabolism: all chemical reactions (catabolism + anabolism).
Excretion: remove wastes (urea, CO■, feces).
Reproduction: cell division for growth/repair; produce offspring.
Growth: increase in size/part or whole organism.
6) Survival needs (get the amounts right)
Nutrients: carbs (energy), proteins (building/chemistry), fats (long-term energy), vitamins/minerals
(reactions/structure).
Oxygen: essential for efficient energy release from food.
Water: most abundant chemical; needed for reactions; basis of secretions/excretions.
Normal body temperature: ~37 °C; too high/low alters reaction rates.
Appropriate atmospheric pressure: required for breathing and lung gas exchange.
7) Overview of the 11 organ systems (high-yield board view)
Integumentary: protection, vitamin D, cutaneous receptors, sweat/oil glands.
Skeletal: support, framework for movement, protects organs, blood cell formation, mineral storage.
Muscular: movement, posture, heat.
Nervous: fast control via electrical signals.
Endocrine: slow control via hormones.
1) Why this matters
Being fluent in anatomical terminology lets you communicate precisely in the health sciences and
connect structure to function for diagnosis and treatment.
2) Core definitions & the big idea
Anatomy: study of body structures and their relationships.
Physiology: study of body functions—how parts work to sustain life.
Principle of complementarity: Function reflects structure; what something can do depends on how it’s
built (e.g., thin alveolar walls enable gas exchange).
3) Subdivisions you should know
Anatomy (how we “look at” the body)
Gross (macroscopic): visible structures
Regional: all parts in one area (e.g., head/neck)
Systemic: one system at a time (e.g., cardiovascular)
Surface: internal structures as they relate to skin markings (veins, muscles)
Microscopic:
Cytology: cells
Histology: tissues
Developmental: growth & change across life
Embryology: before birth Skills used: observe, manipulate, palpate, and auscultate.
Physiology (how we “explain” function)
Often taught by organ system (renal, cardiovascular, etc.).
Focuses on cellular/molecular mechanisms and physical/chemical principles (e.g., electrical currents,
pressure).
4) Levels of structural organization (memorize this ladder)
Chemical: atoms → molecules → organelles
Cellular: the cell (basic unit of life)
, Tissue: groups of similar cells
Organ: ≥2 tissue types working together
Organ system: organs working closely together
Organismal: all systems integrated into one organism Tip: be ready to give an example at each level
(e.g., mitochondrion → cardiomyocyte → cardiac muscle tissue → heart → cardiovascular system →
human).
5) Necessary life functions (what living systems must do)
Maintain boundaries: plasma membranes; skin separates internal from external.
Movement: skeletal muscle moves body; smooth muscle moves food/urine; cardiac muscle moves
blood.
Responsiveness: sense & react (withdrawal reflex; adjust breathing rate).
Digestion: break down food; absorb to blood.
Metabolism: all chemical reactions (catabolism + anabolism).
Excretion: remove wastes (urea, CO■, feces).
Reproduction: cell division for growth/repair; produce offspring.
Growth: increase in size/part or whole organism.
6) Survival needs (get the amounts right)
Nutrients: carbs (energy), proteins (building/chemistry), fats (long-term energy), vitamins/minerals
(reactions/structure).
Oxygen: essential for efficient energy release from food.
Water: most abundant chemical; needed for reactions; basis of secretions/excretions.
Normal body temperature: ~37 °C; too high/low alters reaction rates.
Appropriate atmospheric pressure: required for breathing and lung gas exchange.
7) Overview of the 11 organ systems (high-yield board view)
Integumentary: protection, vitamin D, cutaneous receptors, sweat/oil glands.
Skeletal: support, framework for movement, protects organs, blood cell formation, mineral storage.
Muscular: movement, posture, heat.
Nervous: fast control via electrical signals.
Endocrine: slow control via hormones.
