Course Goals
course currently provides the academic foundation of Anatomy & Physiology for selected Allied Health curricula at HFC and for guest students from selected universities where a five credit, one-semester Anatomy and Physiology course is the standard.
Core Course Topics
Introduction to body organization and anatomical terms
Basic chemistry
Cell structure and function
Histology of human tissues
Integumentary system
Skeletal system and joints
Muscular system
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Cardiovascular system
Immune system and body defense
Respiratory system
Digestive system and metabolism
Urinary system, fluid/electrolyte and acid/base balance
Reproductive systems
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Describe the position of the body in the anatomical position and state the anatomical terms identifying specific parts of the body.
Define homeostasis and describe an example related to the functioning of each system in the body.
For each class of organic molecule (carbohydrate, lipid, protein and nucleic acid), name its respective monomer building block(s), explain its value or importance for the needs of the human body, and briefly describe how its basic molecular structure differs from the other monomers.
Distinguish between each of the following cellular transport mechanisms by describing the basis for the directional movement of molecules: diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, active transport, filtration, phagocytosis, and pinocytosis.
Describe the structural and functional characteristics that distinguish each of the four fundamental tissue categories as well as their sub-categories where applicable: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.
Describe the structure and function of the integument, including accessory structures and pathological conditions. Explain its role in fluid and electrolyte balance.
Name the bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton, and the bones involved in formation of each diarthrotic joint of the body.
For each designated muscle, describe its attachment points to the skeleton (origin and insertion), its action at that joint, and its relationship to other muscles as an antagonist or synergist.
Describe the relationship of a neuron to the following structures: Schwann cells, myelin sheath, synapses, and neurotransmitters.
Describe the relationship of sensory neurons and motor neurons of the peripheral nervous system to interneurons and the integrative functions of the central nervous system.
Explain the means by which the hypothalamus controls or regulates the secretory functions of both the anterior pituitary gland and the posterior pituitary gland.
Describe the difference between plasma and serum, hematocrit and hemoglobin content, erythrocyte and reticulocyte, antigen and antibody.
Describe the path of blood through both sides of the heart, naming the sequence of chambers, valves, and major blood vessels through which it flows.
Explain the respective roles of filtration and osmotic pressure in the exchange of materials between the blood and the tissue fluid surrounding cells of the body.
Describe the differences between cell-mediated Immunity and humoral immunity, describing the roles of T-cells, B-cells, memory cells, NK cells, and plasma cells.
Describe the general operation of the respiratory system; compare the transport of respiratory gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) in the blood and explain the basis for the toxic effect of carbon monoxide.
Describe the general operation of the digestive system by relating the stages of mechanical digestion, chemical digestion, and absorption to the functioning of specific organs.
Describe what happens to a glucose molecule as it progresses through the three stages of cellular respiration, indicating where the carbon dioxide is generated, where most of the ATP is generated, and where oxygen is required.
Describe the role of the kidneys in determining the chemical composition of the blood by listing the normal components of urine and describing how the kidneys vary the amounts of the filtered wastes.
Define pH as a measurement and explain the relationship of the pH scale to acidic, neutral, and basic values. Describe the effects of pH imbalance on body function.
Describe the male and female reproductive systems and the role of the pituitary gland and hormones in reproductive cycles.