Simangan, Jamaica M.

BSRT-1C
Unit 1: Introduction to the Human Body
1
Unit 1
Introduction to the Human Body
Assignment #1: An Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
Application: Based from your reading and self – understanding, answer the following items
correctly. Please specify your reference completely.
1. Discuss the importance of studying anatomy and physiology. Relate it with your daily
activities.

 Since it gives a basic understanding of the human body, learning anatomy and
physiology is essential. It aids in clarifying the core ideas underlying how our bodies
work. One can learn not only the theoretical principles but also the actual functionalities
of the human body with the help of studying anatomy and physiology.
 I may use my understanding and awareness of anatomy and physiology, for instance, if I
encounter a different kind of medical issue. Being knowledgeable of how the body
works can help me recognize symptoms and seek medical treatment before it's too late,
which would also speed my recovery.
2. List 5 subspecialties of anatomy and physiology and describe each.
Anatomy

 Cell Biology- Cellular structure and functions.

 Gross Anatomy- Structures that can be examined without a microscope.
 Regional Anatomy- Specific regions of the body such as the head or chest.
 Development Biology- The complete development of an individual from fertilization to
death.
 Histology- Microscopic structure of tissues.
Physiology

 Renal Physiology- Functions of the kidneys.

 Exercise Physiology- Changes in cell and organ functions due to muscular activity.
 Molecular Physiology- Functions of individual molecules such as proteins and DNA.
 Neurophysiology- Functional properties of nerve cells.
 Cardiovascular Physiology- Functions of the heart and blood vessels.
3. Enumerate and discuss the six structural and functional organization of the human body.

 Chemical Level- This very basic level can be compared to the letters of the alphabet and
includes atoms, the smallest units of matter that participate in chemical reactions, and
molecules, two or more atoms joined together.
 Cellular Level- the basic structural and functional units of an organism that are
composed of chemicals. Just as words are the smallest elements of language that make
sense, cells are the smallest living units in the human body.
 Tissue Level- are groups of cells and the materials surrounding them that work together
to perform a particular function, similar to the way words are put together to form
sentences. There are just four basic types of tissues in your body: epithelial tissue,
connective tissue, muscular tissue, and nervous tissue.
 Organ Level- are structures that are composed of two or more different types of tissues;
they have specific functions and usually have recognizable shapes.
 System Level- consists of related organs with a common function.
 Organismal Level- An organism, any living individual, can be compared to a book in our
analogy.
4. List and describe the four tissue types. Give examples. (page 106)

 Epithelial Tissue- covers body surfaces and lines hollow organs, body cavities, and ducts;
it also forms glands.
1. The lining of our intestines.
2. Our sweat glands.
3. The outer layer of our skin. (epidermis)
 Connective Tissue- protect and supports the body and its organs. Various types of
connective tissues bind organs together, store energy reserves as fat, and help provide
the body immunity to disease-causing organisms.
1. Bone
2. Blood
3. Lymph
 Muscular Tissue- composed of cells specialized for contraction and generation of force.
In the process, muscular tissue generates heat that warms the body.
1. Face
2. Neck
3. Arms
 Nervous Tissue- detects changes in a variety of conditions inside and outside the body
and responds by generating electrical signals called nerve action potentials (nerve
impulses) that activate muscular contractions and glandular secretion.
 1. Brain
2. Spinal Cord
3. Nerves
5. In a table form, classify the organs and the organ system. Relate each of their function.
ORGAN SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ORGANS, TISSUES, AND
STRUCTURES INVOLVED
CARDIOVASCULAR Transports oxygen, nutrients, Heart, blood, and blood
and other substances to the vessels.
cells, and transports wastes,
carbon dioxide, and other
substances away from the
cells; it can also help stabilize
body temperature and pH.
LYMPHATIC Defends against infection and Lymph, lymph nodes, and
disease. Transfers lymph lymph vessels.
between tissues and the
blood stream
DIGESTIVE Processes foods and absorbs Salivary glands, esophagus,
nutrients, minerals, vitamins, stomach, liver, gallbladder,
and water. pancreas, small intestine, and
large intestine.
ENDOCRINE Provides communication Pituitary gland, pineal gland,
within the body via thyroid, parathyroid gland,
hormones. Directs long-term adrenal glands, testes, and
change over other organ ovaries.
systems to maintain
homeostasis.
INTEGUMENTARY Provides protection from Skin, hair, and nails.
both injury and fluid loss and
provides physical defense
against infection by
microorganisms. Controls
temperature.
MUSCULAR Provides movement, support, Tendons, skeletal, cardiac,
and heat production. and smooth muscles.
NERVOUS Collects, transfers, and Brain, spinal cord, nerves,
processes information. and sensory organs (eyes,
Directs short-term change ears, tongue, skin, and nose).
over other organ systems in
order to maintain
homeostasis.
REPRODUCTIVE Produces gametes (sex cells) Fallopian tubes, uterus,
 and sex hormones; ultimately vagina, ovaries, mammary
produces offspring. glands, testes, vas deferens,
seminal vesicles, prostate,
and penis.
RESPIRATORY Delivers air to sites where gas Mouth, nose, pharynx,
exchange can occur between larynx, trachea, bronchi,
the blood and cells (around lungs, and diaphragm.
body) or blood and air
(lungs).
SKELETAL Supports and protects soft Bones, cartilage, and
tissues of the body. Provides ligaments.
movement at joints,
produces blood cells, and
stores minerals.
URINARY Removes excess water, salts, Kidneys, ureters, urinary
and waste products from the bladder, and urethra.
blood and body. Controls pH.
IMMUNE Defends against microbial Leukocytes, tonsils, adenoids,
pathogens (disease-causing thymus, and spleen.
agents) and other diseases.

6. Distinguish between metabolism, anabolism, and catabolism.

 Metabolism- refers to all of the chemical reactions that occur in the body. There are
two types of metabolism: catabolism and anabolism. Metabolism is an energy-balancing
act between catabolic (decomposition) reactions and anabolic (synthesis) reactions.
 Anabolism- Chemical reactions that combine simple molecules and monomers to form
the body’s complex structural and functional components
 Catabolism- Those chemical reactions that break down complex organic molecules into
simpler ones.
7. Provide at least two examples of human responsiveness and human movement.
Human Responsiveness- is the body’s ability to detect and respond to changes.

 An increase in body temperature during a fever represents a change in the internal

environment (within the body), and turning your head toward the sound of squealing
brakes is a response to a change in the external environment (outside the body) to
prepare the body for a potential threat. Different cells in the body respond to
environmental changes in characteristic ways. Nerve cells respond by generating
electrical signals known as nerve impulses (action potentials). Muscle cells respond by
contracting, which generates force to move body parts.
Human Movement- includes motion of the whole body, individual organs, single cells, and even
tiny structures inside cells.

 The coordinated action of leg muscles moves your whole body from one place to
another when you walk or run. After you eat a meal that contains fats, your gallbladder
contracts and releases bile into the gastrointestinal tract to help digest them. When a
body tissue is damaged or infected, certain white blood cells move from the
bloodstream into the affected tissue to help clean up and repair the area. Inside the cell,
various parts, such as secretory vesicles, move from one position to another to carry out
their functions
8. Compare and contrast growth, differentiation, and reproduction.

 Development is all of the changes the body goes through in life. Development includes
the process of differentiation, in which unspecialized cells become specialized in
structure and function to perform certain tasks in the body. Development also includes
the processes of growth and repair, both of which involve cell differentiation.
 Growth is the increase in body size. Humans, like all multicellular organisms, grow by
increasing the number of existing cells, increasing the amount of non-cellular material
around cells (such as mineral deposits in bone), and, within very narrow limits,
increasing the size of existing cells.
 Reproduction is the formation of a new organism from parent organisms. In humans,
reproduction is carried out by the male and female reproductive systems. Because
death will come to all complex organisms, without reproduction, the line of organisms
would end.
9. Describe the negative and positive feedback mechanism. Give an example for each.

 In negative feedback, the response will reverse or cause the opposite effect of the
original stimulus. Negative feedback can be explained with the process of insulin
production and release. After a meal the blood sugar level will be elevated due to the
absorption of sugars from the digestive tract. This triggers the release of insulin from
pancreas. Insulin converts sugar into cells and hence the blood sugar level drops. This
low blood sugar level will result in the cessation of insulin release. This insulin response
is negative feedback. Most endocrine glands are under the control of negative feedback
mechanisms.
 Positive feedback intensifies a change in the body’s physiological condition rather than
reversing it. A deviation from the normal range results in more change, and the system
moves farther away from the normal range. Positive feedback in the body is normal only
when there is a definite end point. Childbirth and the body’s response to blood loss are
two examples of positive feedback loops that are normal but are activated only when
needed. Childbirth at full term is an example of a situation in which the maintenance of
 the existing body state is not desired. Enormous changes in the mother’s body are
required to expel the baby at the end of pregnancy
10. Using a diagram, discuss the three components of a negative feedback mechanism to
maintain homeostasis.