Course Overview

This course, Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL-109), is the first in a two-semester sequence that provides a comprehensive study of the structure and function of the human body. The course covers biochemical, cellular, and tissue levels of organization, followed by the integumentary, nervous, endocrine, skeletal, and muscular systems. Laboratory exercises complement lecture topics through models, microscopy, dissection, and physiological studies. The curriculum aligns with the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) guidelines.

Course Structure and Assessment

• Lecture Exams: 3 exams (100 points each, 42.9% of grade)

• Laboratory Practical Exams: 2 exams (100 points each, 28.6% of grade)

• Cumulative Final Exam: 125 points (17.9% of grade)

• Attendance & Participation: 50 points (7.1% of grade)

• Course Learning Objectives Assessments: 25 points (3.5% of grade)

• Final Grade Calculation: Earned Points / 700 Points

Major Topics and Chapter Alignment

The following topics are covered, corresponding to the chapters in the Amerman textbook:

• Ch. 1: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

• Ch. 2: The Chemistry of Life

• Ch. 3: The Cell

• Ch. 4: Histology

• Ch. 5: The Integumentary System

• Ch. 6: Bones and Bone Tissue

• Ch. 7: The Skeletal System

• Ch. 8: Articulations

• Ch. 9: The Muscular System

• Ch. 10: Muscle Tissue and Physiology

• Ch. 11: Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue

• Ch. 12: The Central Nervous System

• Ch. 13: The Peripheral Nervous System

• Ch. 14: The Autonomic Nervous System and Homeostasis

• Ch. 15: The Special Senses

• Ch. 16: The Endocrine System

Detailed Topic Outline

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

This section introduces the fundamental concepts of anatomy (structure) and physiology (function), the characteristics of living things, and the levels of biological organization from chemical to organismal. It also covers anatomical terminology, body planes, cavities, and the principles of homeostasis.

• Key Terms: Anatomy, Physiology, Homeostasis, Feedback Loops

• Levels of Organization: Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism

• Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal environment. Involves negative and positive feedback mechanisms.

• Example: Regulation of body temperature via negative feedback.

The Chemistry of Life

This topic covers the basic chemistry necessary for understanding biological processes, including atomic structure, chemical bonds, reactions, and the properties of water, acids, bases, and buffers. It also introduces the four major classes of organic molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

• Key Terms: Atom, Element, Molecule, Ion, pH, Buffer

• Types of Chemical Bonds: Ionic, Covalent, Hydrogen

• Organic Molecules: Carbohydrates (energy), Lipids (membranes, energy storage), Proteins (structure, enzymes), Nucleic Acids (genetic information)

• Example: The role of ATP as the primary energy currency of the cell.

The Cell

This section explores cell structure and function, including the plasma membrane, organelles, and the processes of membrane transport, protein synthesis, and cell division.

• Cell Membrane: Phospholipid bilayer, fluid mosaic model

• Transport Mechanisms: Passive (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion), Active (primary, secondary, vesicular)

• Organelles: Nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes

• Cell Cycle: Interphase, mitosis, cytokinesis

• Example: Osmosis in red blood cells placed in hypotonic or hypertonic solutions.

Histology

Histology is the study of tissues. The four basic tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue. This section also covers the extracellular matrix, cell junctions, and tissue repair.

• Epithelial Tissue: Covers surfaces, lines cavities, forms glands

• Connective Tissue: Supports, protects, binds other tissues (includes bone, cartilage, blood)

• Muscle Tissue: Responsible for movement (skeletal, cardiac, smooth)

• Nervous Tissue: Conducts electrical impulses, processes information

• Membranes: Serous, synovial, mucous, cutaneous

The Integumentary System

This system includes the skin and its accessory structures (hair, nails, glands). It functions in protection, sensation, thermoregulation, and synthesis of vitamin D.

• Layers of Skin: Epidermis (outer), dermis (inner), hypodermis (subcutaneous)

• Accessory Structures: Hair, nails, sweat glands (eccrine, apocrine), sebaceous glands

• Skin Pigmentation: Melanin, carotene, hemoglobin

• Example: Eccrine glands are involved in thermoregulation through sweat production.

Bones and Bone Tissue

This section covers the structure, function, and classification of bones, bone tissue histology, bone formation and growth, and bone remodeling and repair.

• Functions of Bone: Support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell formation (hemopoiesis)

• Bone Structure: Compact bone (osteons), spongy bone (trabeculae), long bone anatomy (diaphysis, epiphyses)

• Bone Cells: Osteoblasts (build), osteocytes (maintain), osteoclasts (break down)

• Bone Formation: Intramembranous and endochondral ossification

• Example: Growth in length occurs at the epiphyseal plate.

The Skeletal System

The skeletal system includes the axial and appendicular skeletons. Students are expected to identify major bones and surface markings, and understand the functional anatomy of the skeleton.

• Axial Skeleton: Skull, vertebral column, thoracic cage

• Appendicular Skeleton: Limbs and girdles

• Example: The femur is the longest bone in the body and part of the appendicular skeleton.

Articulations (Joints)

Articulations are the sites where two or more bones meet. This section covers the classification, structure, and function of joints, with emphasis on synovial joints and their movements.

• Functional Classification: Synarthrosis (immovable), amphiarthrosis (slightly movable), diarthrosis (freely movable)

• Structural Classification: Fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial

• Synovial Joints: Joint cavity, articular capsule, synovial fluid, articular cartilage

• Movements: Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction

• Example: The shoulder is a ball-and-socket synovial joint allowing multiaxial movement.

Muscle Tissue and Physiology

This section explores the types of muscle tissue, the structure of skeletal muscle fibers, the physiology of muscle contraction, and the sources of energy for muscle activity.

• Types of Muscle: Skeletal (voluntary), cardiac (involuntary, heart), smooth (involuntary, walls of organs)

• Muscle Fiber Structure: Sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum, myofibrils, sarcomeres

• Contraction Mechanism: Sliding filament theory, excitation-contraction coupling, cross-bridge cycling

• Energy Sources: ATP, creatine phosphate, glycolysis, aerobic metabolism

• Example: Type I muscle fibers are slow-twitch, fatigue-resistant, and rely on aerobic metabolism.

The Muscular System

This topic focuses on the identification and function of major skeletal muscles, muscle actions, and the organization of the muscular system.

• Major Muscle Groups: Head and neck, trunk, upper and lower limbs

• Muscle Actions: Agonist, antagonist, synergist, fixator

• Example: The biceps brachii is the agonist for elbow flexion.

Introduction to the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue

This section introduces the organization of the nervous system, neuron and neuroglia structure and function, and the basics of neural electrophysiology.

• Divisions: Central (CNS) and Peripheral (PNS)

• Neurons: Structure (cell body, dendrites, axon), classification, function

• Neuroglia: Support cells in CNS and PNS

• Membrane Potentials: Resting, graded, and action potentials

• Example: Myelination increases the speed of action potential propagation (saltatory conduction).

The Central Nervous System

This section covers the structure and function of the brain and spinal cord, including protection, development, and major pathways for sensation and movement.

• Brain Regions: Cerebrum, diencephalon, brainstem, cerebellum

• Spinal Cord: Anatomy, meninges, tracts

• Protection: Meninges, cerebrospinal fluid, blood-brain barrier

• Example: The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information.

The Peripheral Nervous System

This section discusses the structure and function of peripheral nerves, cranial and spinal nerves, and reflex arcs.

• Cranial Nerves: 12 pairs, each with specific sensory and/or motor functions

• Spinal Nerves: 31 pairs, organized into plexuses

• Reflex Arcs: Pathways mediating involuntary responses

• Example: The patellar (knee-jerk) reflex is a monosynaptic stretch reflex.

The Autonomic Nervous System and Homeostasis

This section covers the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system, their anatomy, neurotransmitters, and effects on target organs.

• Sympathetic Division: "Fight or flight" responses

• Parasympathetic Division: "Rest and digest" responses

• Dual Innervation: Most organs receive input from both divisions

• Example: The heart rate is increased by sympathetic and decreased by parasympathetic stimulation.

The Special Senses

This section introduces the anatomy and physiology of the special senses: olfaction, gustation, vision, hearing, and equilibrium.

• Olfaction: Sense of smell, olfactory epithelium

• Gustation: Sense of taste, taste buds

• Vision: Eye anatomy, photoreceptors, image formation

• Hearing and Equilibrium: Ear anatomy, cochlea, vestibular apparatus

• Example: Rods and cones are photoreceptors in the retina responsible for vision in dim and bright light, respectively.

The Endocrine System

This section covers the major endocrine glands, hormone types, mechanisms of hormone action, and the role of the endocrine system in homeostasis.

• Major Glands: Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads, pineal

• Hormone Types: Peptide (protein-based), steroid (lipid-based)

• Mechanisms: Second messenger systems, direct gene activation

• Example: Insulin lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake of glucose.

Laboratory Component

Laboratory sessions reinforce lecture material through hands-on activities, including microscopy, anatomical models, dissections, and physiological experiments. Safety protocols require gloves and eye protection during dissections and chemical handling.

Course Policies and Resources

• Attendance: Required for both lecture and lab; more than two lab absences result in course failure.

• Academic Integrity: Strictly enforced; use of AI or unauthorized resources is prohibited.

• Accommodations: Available through the Center on Disability.

• Support Services: Learning Labs, Library, Computer Centers, Single Stop, and Starfish for academic and personal support.

Sample Grading Table

Study and Success Tips

• Read assigned textbook chapters before class.

• Review virtual lectures and prepare questions for in-person sessions.

• Attend all labs and use models, microscopes, and slides for hands-on learning.

• Actively participate in class and seek help from the instructor as needed.

• Utilize campus resources for tutoring and academic support.

Additional info:

• This guide is based on the course syllabus and departmental outline, providing a structured overview of the topics and expectations for Anatomy and Physiology I.

• For detailed content, refer to the Amerman textbook and laboratory manual as assigned.