Lecture: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (A&P)

Lecture Overview

• Lectures delivered via YouTube videos.
• Aims for each lecture to be 50-53 minutes.
• Learning will cover A&P concepts and how they fit into health and medicine.

Anatomy and Physiology (A&P)

• Anatomy: The structure of the human body (what and where).
  • Sub-disciplines include:
    • Gross Anatomy: Observable without dissection.
    • Surface, Regional, Systemic, Clinical, Developmental Anatomy
  • Microscopic Anatomy (requires magnification):
    • Cytology: Study of cells.
    • Histology: Study of tissues.
• Physiology: The function of the body (how it works).
  • Sub-disciplines include:
    • Cell, Organ, Systemic Physiology
    • Pathological Physiology: Study of diseased states.

What Does It Mean to Be Alive?

• Characteristics of living things:
  • Growth, Reproduction, Heredity, Homeostasis, Metabolism, Cellular nature, Response to environment.

Classification of Living Things

• Humans belong to the domain of Eukaryotes and kingdom of Animals.

Levels of Organization in Human Life

• Hierarchical structure from smallest to largest:
  • Atomic, Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism.

Course Organization

• In A&P 1: Focus on somatic systems (e.g., skin, bones, joints, muscles).
• In A&P 2: Focus on visceral systems (e.g., respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive).

Overview of Body Systems

1. Integumentary System: Skin, hair, nails (protection, temperature regulation, sensory perception).
2. Skeletal System: Bones, cartilages, joints (support, protection, blood cell formation).
3. Muscular System: Muscles (movement, heat generation).
4. Nervous System: Brain, spinal cord, nerves (sensory input, motor output).
5. Endocrine System: Glands (hormonal regulation, life stage changes).
6. Cardiovascular System: Heart, blood, vessels (circulation, temperature regulation).
7. Lymphatic System: Lymph nodes, vessels (fluid regulation, defense).
8. Respiratory System: Lungs, airways (gas exchange).
9. Digestive System: Mouth to anus (processing and absorbing nutrients).
10. Urinary System: Kidneys, bladder (waste excretion, water regulation).
11. Male Reproductive System: Testes, penis (sperm production and delivery).
12. Female Reproductive System: Ovaries, uterus (egg production, offspring support).

Homeostasis

• Definition: Maintenance of a stable internal environment.
• Components: Sensor, control center, effector.
• Example: Blood sugar regulation via insulin and glucagon.

Conclusion

• This lecture provided an overview of concepts in A&P.
• More detailed content to follow in subsequent lectures.