MODULE 1- THE HUMAN ORGANISM

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

GLENDA A. TABO

INTRODUCTION

Human anatomy is the study of parts of the body and physiology is the study of the functions of the
different parts. The human body is composed of different parts that interact with one another. The
coordinated function of all the parts allow us to detect stimuli, respond to stimuli, and perform many
other functions.

This module will discuss the structural and functional organization of the human body, terminologies
and body plan, body parts and regions, body cavities and membranes.

By knowing the structure and function of the human body allows us to understand how the body works,
how the body responds to diseases or hormone abnormality. Gaining knowledge about our body allows
us to appreciate more our Creator, because He has given us this marvelous gift, our body. And therefore
we need to take care of it.

OBJECTIVES

1. Define anatomy and explain the importance of understanding the relationship between
structure and function.
2. Define physiology and state two major goals of physiology.
3. Describe six levels of organization of the body, and give the major characteristics of each level.
4. List the twelve organ systems and give the major functions of each.
5. List the characteristics of life.
6. Define homeostasis and explain why it is important.
7. Describe a person in the anatomic position.
8. Define the directional terms for the human body, and use them to locate specific body
structures.
9. Define the parts and regions of the body.
10. Name and describe the three major planes of the body and an organ.
11. Describe the major trunk cavities.
12. Describe the serous membranes, and give their functions.

DISCUSSION

I. Definition of Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy- is the scientific discipline that investigates the structure of the body. Anatomy covers a wide
range of studies, including the structure of body parts, their microscopic organization, and the processes
by which they develop.

Physiology- is the scientific study that deals with the processes or functions of living things.
II. Structural and Functional Organization

Chemical level. Atoms combine to form molecules.

Cell level. Molecules form organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, which make up cells.

Tissue level. Similar cells and surrounding materials make up tissues.

Organ level. Different tissues combine to form organs, such as the urinary bladder.

Organ system level. Organs such as the urinary bladder and kidneys make up an organ system.

Organism level. Organ systems make up an organism.

Organs of the Body

State the function of the different organs of the body.

Organs of the Body Function

Brain
Lung

Heart
Liver

Gall bladder
Spleen

Pancreas
Stomach

Small intestine
 Large intestine

Kidney
Urinary bladder

Organ Systems of the Body

Give the function of the different systems of the body and their organs.
 Organ Systems of the Function of the System Organs Function of the
Body Different Organs

Integumentary
Skeletal

Muscular
Nervous

Lymphatic
Immune

Cardiovascular
Endocrine

Respiratory
Digestive

Urinary
Reproductive

III. Characteristics of Life

1. Organization. The condition in which the parts of an organism have specific relationships to each
other and the parts interact to perform specific functions. Living things are highly organized, with one or
more cells.

2. Metabolism. It is the ability to use energy to perform vital functions, such as growth, movement, and
reproduction.

3. Responsiveness. It is the ability of an organism to sense changes in the environment and make the
adjustments that help maintain its life.

4. Growth results in an increase in size of all or part of the organism.

5. Development includes the changes an organism undergoes through time; it begins in fertilization and
ends at death.

6. Reproduction is the formation of new cells or new organisms. Without reproduction of cells, growth
and tissue repair are impossible. Without reproduction of the organism, the species become extinct.

IV. Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the existence and maintenance of a relatively constant environment within the body.
Homeostatic mechanisms, such as sweating or shivering, normally maintain body temperature near an
ideal normal value or set point. Body temperature increases or decreases slightly around the set point,
producing a normal range of values.. As long as body temperatures remain within this normal range,
homeostasis is maintained.

Negative Feedback. Most systems of the body are regulated by negative-feedback mechanisms , which
function to maintain homeostasis. Negative means that any deviation from the set point is made smaller
or is resisted. Negative feedback does not prevent variation but maintains variation within a normal
range.

Many negative-feedback mechanisms, such as the one maintaining normal blood pressure, have three
components: the receptor, monitors the value of a variable such as blood pressure; control center, such
as part of the brain, establishes the set point around which the variable is maintained; and the effector,
such as the heart, can change the value of the variable.

The receptors that monitor blood pressure are located within large blood vessels near the heart. If blood
pressure increases slightly, the receptors detect the increased blood pressure and send that information
to the control center in the brain. The control center causes heart rate to decrease, resulting in a
decrease in blood pressure. If blood pressure decreases slightly, the receptors inform the control center,
which increases heart rate, producing an increase in blood pressure. As a result, blood pressure is
maintained within a normal range.

V. Terminology and Body Plan

Anatomic position. Refers to a person standing erect with the face directed forward, the upper limbs
hanging to the sides, and the palms of the hands facing forward.

Directional Terms and Planes and Section of the Body

Describe the different planes and sections of the body. What organs are observed when you do the
following cut?

Sagittal Plane.

Transverse or Horizontal Plane.

Frontal or Coronal Plane.

VI. Body Parts and Regions

As a student of anatomy and physiology, you need to memorize the following regions of the body.
VII. Subdivisions of the Abdomen

What organs of the body are found in the different regions of the abdominopelvic cavity?
VIII. Body Cavities

What organs of the body are found in each cavity?

A. Cranial Cavity.

B. Thoracic Cavity.

C. Abdominal Cavity.

IX. Serous Membranes

Serous membranes line the trunk cavities. To understand the relationship between serous membranes
and an organ, imagine an inflated balloon into which a fist has been pushed. The inner balloon wall in
contact with the fist (organ) represent the visceral serous membrane, and the outer part of the balloon
wall represents the parietal serous membrane. The cavity or space between the visceral and parietal
serous membranes is normally filled with a thin, lubricating film of serous fluid produced by the
membranes.

Pericardial cavity. Surrounds the heart. The visceral pericardium, covers the heart.

Pleural cavity. Surrounds each lung, which is covered by visceral pleura.

Peritoneal cavity. Visceral peritoneum covers many of the organs of the abdominopelvic cavity. Parietal
peritoneum lines the wall of the abdominopelvic cavity and the inferior surface of the diaphragm. The
peritoneal cavity contains peritoneal fluid.

ACTIVITY (Attachment)

Answer the workbook- Chapter 1.

EVALUATION (Attachment)

REFERENCES

Marieb, E.N. 8th ed.2006. Anatomy and Physiology Colring Workbook. Singapore: Pearson Education,
Inc.

Scott, A.S. 11th ed. 2009. Body Structures and Functions. New York: DELMAR Cengage Learning.

Seeley, R.R., T.D. Stephens, and P. Tate. 2005.Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology. Singapore: McGraw
Hill Co., Inc.