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Anatomy and Physiology Overview

Sep 5, 2025

Overview

This lecture introduces the key concepts of anatomy and physiology, explains the relationship of form and function, defines characteristics of living things, describes the levels of biological organization, and reviews homeostasis and feedback mechanisms.

Anatomy vs. Physiology

  • Anatomy is the study of form or structure.
  • Physiology is the study of function.
  • "Form follows function" means structure determines function; knowing form helps infer function.
  • Lab focuses on anatomy (form), lecture focuses on physiology (function).

Examples of Form Follows Function

  • Sperm cells have a tail (flagella) for swimming to the egg; without it, fertilization can't occur.

  • Neurons have dendrites to collect information and an axon to transmit it for communication.

    Divisions of microscopic anatomy

  • Cytology- study of body cells and their internal structure

  • Histology- study of tissues

Characteristics of Living Things

  • Living things have organized and complex internal structures.
  • Metabolism includes all chemical reactions:
    • Anabolism (building up, small to large)
    • Catabolism (breaking down, large to small)
  • Growth and development: living things grow and change over time.
  • Responsiveness: living things sense and react to stimuli.
  • Regulation: living things maintain homeostasis (internal stability).
  • Reproduction: living things produce offspring.

Levels of Biological Organization

  • Atoms → Molecules → Macromolecules → Organelles → Cells (smallest living structure)
  • Cells group to form Tissues.
  • Tissues form Organs.
  • Organs form Organ Systems.
  • Organ systems work together in an Organism.

Homeostasis and Feedback Mechanisms

  • Homeostasis is maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes. (steady state- no surprises)

  • Key players:

    • Receptor (detects change) =skin
    • Stimulus (the change itself) a response that activate the receptor (heat)
    • Control center (processes info, often the brain) sends a message to the spinal cord than the brain
    • Effector (carries out response) =skeltal muscles

Negative Feedback

Postive Feedback

11 Organ Systems

MURDERS LINC each letter represents an organ system

  • Integumentary system
  • Skeletal system
  • Muscular system
  • Nervous system
  • Endocrine system
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Lymphatic system
  • Respiratory system
  • Urinary system
  • Digestive system
  • Male and female reproductive systems

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Memorize the levels of organization from atoms to organism.
  • Learn and list the 11 organ systems (use "MURDERS LINC" acronym, see slides 17-18).
  • Understand examples of negative and positive feedback for application questions.
  • Review slides 10, 17-18, and 23-25 for exam preparation.

Full transcript