Course Description
Why is the human body so complex? How do all of the different structures of the body work together? In Anatomy and Physiology, students survey the different systems of the human body, with an emphasis on the relationship between structure and function. The course begins by teaching the language of anatomy and familiarizing students with the building blocks of the human body: cells and tissues that combine to create the complex organs and support structures of the body. Students get to know their bodies inside and out, from the skin that covers and protects the entire body to the skeleton and the attached muscles that provide support and create movement. Moving deeper inside, students explore the cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems, which work together to supply the body with nutrients and rid it of wastes. Students also learn how the nervous and endocrine systems respond to the environment and maintain a state of balance. Students study the reproductive system as they follow the development of a human from a single-celled zygote to a mature adult. Interwoven throughout many lessons is information about genetic diseases, dysfunctions, and ailments such as diabetes, HIV, and arthritis. By the end of this course, students will feel as if they have read the owner’s manual for their bodies.

Course Breakdown

Digestive system
Urinary system
Lymphatic system
Nervous system Brain
Four of the five senses
Endocrine system
Reproductive system

Course Goals
Identify the structures of the digestive system that perform ingestion, digestion, absorption, and excretion.
Describe the structure of the urinary system and the roles of these organs in maintaining homeostasis.
Relate the anatomy of the lymphatic system to its functions as part of the immune system.
Investigate the functional organization of the nervous system as well as its basic functions. Investigate the functions and structures of the human brain.
Describe the functions of the sensory organs and how they carry information to the brain.
Identify the different organs of the endocrine system and explain how they can trigger changes in the the body.
Summarize the anatomy and functions of the organs that make up the reproductive systems in both sexes.
Examine the stages of human development and the effects aging has on different organ systems.