What You Will Learn From An Anatomy And Physiology Class
Anatomy and physiology are branches of biology that equip students with a holistic understanding of living things. The former focuses on learning about the structure of organisms and their body parts, while the latter studies the specific functions of organs and how these parts work together as a whole.
Completing an anatomy and physiology class is crucial for pursuing a career in the medical field. Aside from becoming a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, or medical technician, knowledge about the human body is essential for those in the education sector as well, such as life science researchers.
If you’re planning to become a professor or instructor, you can also take up a master’s degree in human anatomy and physiology. With this, you can pass on the knowledge that you gained to your students. You can even complete the course online. Visit this website to learn more.
Here are the things that you’ll learn from an anatomy and physiology class:
1. Cells and Tissues
1. Cells and Tissues
The first lesson in this class is all about cells, which are the basic structural units of life. The study of cells is called cytology. In animals, including humans, the cells have three parts. There’s the nucleus, which is located at the center. Next is the cytoplasm, which is the area containing the nucleus and where most metabolic reactions occur. Lastly, there’s the cell membrane, which controls what chemicals enter and leave the cell.
After learning about the cells, you’ll learn all about tissues, which are a group of cells that perform specific tasks in the body. They fall into different categories based on their functions:
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Epithelial – these tissues cover all body surfaces, cavities, and organs. Epithelial tissues also comprise a significant portion of glands.
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Connective – its primary function is to support or bind other tissues and organs. It also stores fat, aids in the production of blood cells, and battles infections.
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Muscle – humans have three types of muscle tissues: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac. These tissues enable muscles to contract during exertion.
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Nerve – this tissue can be explicitly found in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It has nerve cells or neurons that can produce and pass on impulses.
2. Skeleton, Muscles, and Nerves
You’ll also be introduced into the intricacies of the parts that make up the human body. First is the skeleton, which serves as a frame where tissues attached themselves. It also aids in the body’s movement as well as blood cell formation.
Muscles, on the other hand, allow you to produce force and motion. It is comprised of fibers that are arranged in bundles called the fascicles.
Lastly, you’ll learn about the central and peripheral nervous systems. The brain and spinal cord comprise the central nervous system or CNS, while spinal and cranial nerves make up the peripheral nervous system or PNS. The nervous system is responsible for sending and receiving impulses, which contain the commands that allow your body to function properly.
3. The Senses
3. The Senses
Sensory receptors are found all over the body. They monitor and respond to environmental changes by sending nerve impulses.
A few examples of functional receptors are chemoreceptors, which react to chemicals, thermoreceptors, which respond to changes in temperature, and mechanoreceptors, which feels pressure and vibration.
4. The Different Internal Systems
4. The Different Internal Systems
Cells bundle together to form tissues and, ultimately, to build whole systems in the human body. These are the different internal systems and their functions:
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Endocrine – It is composed of glands that are responsible for the secretion of hormones that regulate the body’s growth, metabolism, and other developmental functions.
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Circulatory – The circulatory system’s primary role is to send oxygenated blood and nutrients from the heart to the organs. Inversely, it also delivers deoxygenated blood from different parts of the body back to the heart. Other parts of this system include the lungs, arteries, veins, as well as coronary and portal vessels.
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Digestive – This system is responsible for breaking down food into smaller components to make absorption and assimilation of nutrients to the body.
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Respiratory – Your nose, mouth, and lungs work together to provide your body with oxygen, which is crucial for various bodily processes.
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Urinary – The kidneys, bladders, ureters, and urethra comprise the urinary system. Its primary function is to remove waste from the body.
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Reproductive – Your sex organs are the main components of the reproductive system, which enables you to produce egg or sperm cells as well as to nurture the developing offspring for women.
Conclusion
Enrolling in an anatomy and physiology class will give you a comprehensive understanding of the body. You’ll learn about the basic structural unit of life, which are cells, as well as how they form into tissues and, ultimately, entire organs.
This knowledge can help you become successful when you decide to pursue a career in the medical field and even in the education sector.
