Introduction to the course of Human Body Systems (and how it relates to basic anatomy and physiology)

1. U N I F Y I N G C O N C E P T S & T H E M E S
Introduction to HBS
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2. Unifying Content
Anatomy & Physiology
 In HBS, we will deal specifically with two very
distinct and yet interrelated sciences:
 Anatomy
 Physiology

3. Anatomy
 The word anatomy is derived from two Greek words
that mean “a cutting up”
 Anatomists learn about the structure of the human
body by cutting it apart.
 Dissection
 The principal technique used to isolate and study the
structural components or parts of the human body.
 Macroscopic
 Microscopic

4. Physiology
 The study of the functions of living organisms and
their parts.
 Physiology is about PROCESSES.
 Chemical processes of the human body
 A dynamic science that requires active
experimentation.

5. A & P: Key Overarching Concept
 Anatomical structures perform specific functions
which are dominated by specific chemical processes
 Each structure has a particular size, shape, form,
position in the body
 Each has particular chemical composition and/or
chemical secretions, chemical messengers, chemical
receptors
 Therefore, there are two Unifying Themes of A&P.

6. Unifying Theme #1
Structure and Function
 Structure and function complement one another in
the normal, healthy human body

7. Unifying Theme #2
Homeostasis
 Nearly all structure and function in the human body
can be explained in terms of keeping conditions in
the internal environment relatively constant