Anatomy and Physiology 101

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
-
17Lessons
-
32Exams &
Assignments -
6,043Students
have taken this course -
21Hours
average time -
2.1CEUs
Course Description
The Integumentary System
The Nervous System
The Sensory System
The Endocrine System
The Cardiovascular System
The Lymphatic System
The Respiratory System
The Digestive System
The Urinary System
Anatomy, which is sometimes called morphology, provides a map of how a body is put together, human or otherwise.
Physiology is akin to an instruction manual. Form and function must both be considered to fully understand the human body.
Physiology is the study of living things, but what exactly does it mean to be alive? It is difficult to isolate a single characteristic that separates all living entities from non-living ones. For example, some might say the ability to reproduce is a necessary trait to indicate life. But mules--which are definitely living offsprings of a horse and donkey--cannot reproduce. So physiologists consider a number of traits that all living things have in common and thus identify life based on the following characteristics:
- Absorption: the passage of nutrients from digested food through membranes and into body fluids
- Assimilation: the ability to change nutrients of absorbed substances into chemically different forms
- Circulation: movement of substances throughout the body via body fluids such as blood
- Digestion: chemically breaking down food into its molecular components and getting rid of wastes
- Growth: in general, defined as increasing in size without changing basic shape
- Movement: the ability to change position or internal structures
- Reproduction: creating offspring
- Respiration: can mean the act of breathing but on a cellular level; it's a metabolic process that uses oxygen to release energy from glucose
- Responsiveness: reacting to one's environment, such as pupils contracting in light, the rush of adrenalin when confronted with danger or fear, or a plant bending toward sunlight
- Excretion: the removal of wastes created by metabolic activity
Everything that is alive--from cells to elephants--relies on homeostasis, which is the way the physiological systems work together in living organisms to maintain a stable internal environment, despite changing external or environmental conditions. In humans, that means regulating things like temperature, pH, hydration, and blood oxygen levels.
All living things also require some sort of metabolism, which is commonly understood to mean breaking food down and turning it into energy. But in physiological terms, it refers to the entire range of an organism's biochemical processes. These metabolic pathways involve enzymes that transform one substance into another substance, by either breaking one down (catabolism) or creating a new one (anabolism).
Levels of Anatomical Organization
Anatomists organize the human body into different levels, each level increasing in complexity.
- Atoms join together to form molecules, such as H2O.
- Molecules combine to form macromolecules such as polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates), monosaccharides (simple sugars), and fats (lipids).
- Macromolecules combine to create organelles like mitochondrion and ribosomes.
- Organelles are part of a cell, the basic unit of a body.
- Cells are organized into tissues such as muscle, neural, and cardiac.
- Tissues are organized into organs, from the brain to the large intestine and everything in between.
- Organs working together are organ systems, which include the digestive system, the endocrine system, and the nervous system.
- Organ systems make up an organism, such as humans, dogs, or plants.
Spatial Organization of the Human Body
Additionally, the outer body is divided into two regions: the axial, which includes the head, neck and trunk, and the appendicular which consists of the limbs.
The same terms are used when describing the skeleton. The skull, ribs, and spinal vertebrae belong to the axial skeleton. These bones protect the major organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs. Also included in the axial skeleton are the three inner ear bones--malleus, incus, and stapes--known collectively as the ossicles, and the hyoid in the throat. There are 80 bones in the axial skeleton.
The appendicular skeleton consists of the 126 bones of our extremities--legs, arms, hands, and feet--which facilitate movement.
Conclusion
The body is a complex organism of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. While anatomy describes the structure of how it is physically put together, physiology explains how all the components of the human organism work, individually and together, to maintain life.
Anatomy focuses on the structure, while physiology centers on function.Gaining a basic understanding of these two sciences will provide you with a much more intimate understanding of not only our own bodies, but also the make up of many other plants and animals in the world around us.
However, to offer a real comprehensive study, this course will focus on the human "organism", covering the major systems as they work together to keep our bodies functioning properly.
The beauty of this class is that the course instructor provides a fantastic foundation for any number of potential scenarios.
Situations such as high school and college students who need to improve their grades or grasp of Anatomy and Physiology, or even adults and professionals considering making a career change into the medical or biological sectors.
In all honesty, this course is ideal for anyone out there who wants to gain a deeper understanding of how their bodies work, and of course, reasons why our bodies sometimes DON'T work.
Regardless of why you want to learn more about anatomy and physiology, you're all out of excuses for procrastination. Enrollment is always open and the instructor is frequently online to respond to any of your questions or concerns.
Gaining a basic understanding of these two sciences will provide you with a much more intimate understanding of not only our own bodies, but also the make up of many other plants and animals in the world around us.
However, to offer a real comprehensive study, this course will focus on the human "organism", covering the major systems as they work together to keep our bodies functioning properly.
The beauty of this class is that the course instructor provides a fantastic foundation for any number of potential scenarios.
Situations such as high school and college students who need to improve their grades or grasp of Anatomy and Physiology, or even adults and professionals considering making a career change into the medical or biological sectors.
In all honesty, this course is ideal for anyone out there who wants to gain a deeper understanding of how their bodies work, and of course, reasons why our bodies sometimes DON'T work.
Regardless of why you want to learn more about anatomy and physiology, you're all out of excuses for procrastination. Enrollment is always open and the instructor is frequently online to respond to any of your questions or concerns.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1. Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Lesson 1 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7064.pdf
Review Video: Intro to Structure and Function of the Body
Take Survey: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: Introduce Yourself
Complete: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Assignment
Complete: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Quiz
Lesson 2. Chemistry Basics
Lesson 2 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7065.pdf
Review 7 Articles: Atoms; Chemical Bonds; Covalent Bonds; Lipids; Nucleic Acids; What are proteins and what do they do?; What is an element?
Review Video: Anatomy and Physiology Chemistry Lecture
Complete Assignment: Review of Basic Chemistry:
Complete: Basic Chemistry Quiz
Lesson 3. Cells - The Foundation of Life
Lesson 3 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7066.pdf
Review 3 Articles: Rough and Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum; Flagella and cilia; Cell cycle
Review 3 Videos: Cells The Basic Units of Life; Biology: Cell Structure; Cell Structure and Function
Complete Assignment: Review of Cells
Complete: Cells Quiz
Lesson 4. Tissues (Different Types and Functions)
Lesson 4 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7067.pdf
Review 2 Videos: Integumentary System : Types of Epithelial Tissues; Cells Tissues and Skin
Complete Assignment: Review of Tissues
Complete: Tissue Quiz
Lesson 5. The Integumentary System
Lesson 5 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7068.pdf
Review 2 Videos: Integumentary System; Integumentary System for Anatomy and Physiology
Complete: The Integumentary System Assignment
Complete Exam: The Integumentary System
Lesson 6. The Skeletal System
Lesson 6 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7069.pdf
Review 2 Videos: Skeletal System; Skeletal System Structures and Functions
Complete: The Skeletal System Assignment
Complete Exam: The Skeletal System
Lesson 7. The Muscular System
Lesson 7 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7070.pdf
Review Video: Muscle Tissue
Complete: The Muscular System Assignment
Complete Exam: The Muscular System
Lesson 8. The Nervous System
Lesson 8 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7071.pdf
Review Article: Spinal Cord Segments
Review 2 Videos: Neurology - Divisions of the Nervous System; Autonomic Nervous System Introduction
Complete: The Nervous System Assignment
Complete Exam: The Nervous System
Lesson 9. The Sensory System
Lesson 9 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7072.pdf
Review 3 Videos: The Sensory System; How Sound is Transferred to the Inner Ear; Human Sensory Organs - Eyes
Complete: The Sensory System Assignment
Complete Exam: The Sensory System
Lesson 10. The Endocrine System
Lesson 10 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7073.pdf
Review 2 Videos: The Endocrine System; Endocrinology - Overview
Complete: The Endocrine System Assignment
Complete Exam: The Endocrine System
Lesson 11. The Cardiovascular System
Lesson 11 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7074.pdf
Review 3 Videos: Human Circulatory System; Cardiovascular System 1, Heart, Structure and Function; Anatomy and Physiology of the Cardiovascular System: Heart Anatomy
Complete: The Cardiovascular System Assignment
Complete Exam: The Cardiovascular System
Lesson 12. The Lymphatic System
Lesson 12 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7075.pdf
Review Video: The Lymphatic System
Complete Assignment: The Lymphatic System
Complete Exam: The Lymphatic System
Lesson 13. The Respiratory System
Lesson 13 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7076.pdf
Review 3 Videos: The Respiratory System; Respiratory System - Overview; Respiratory Anatomy
Complete: The Respiratory System Assignment
Complete Exam: The Respiratory System
Lesson 14. The Digestive System
Lesson 14 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7077.pdf
Review Video: Digestion in Human Beings 3D CBSE Class 7 Science
Complete: The Digestive System Assignment
Complete Exam: The Digestive System
Lesson 15. The Urinary System
Lesson 15 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7078.pdf
Review 2 Videos: The Urinary System; Urinary System - The Kidneys
Complete Exam: The Urinary System
Lesson 16. The Reproductive System
Lesson 16 Video
Review Practice Worksheet: optional-WordSearch-Activity-7079.pdf
Review Article: Reproductive System
Review Video: The Reproductive System
Take Poll: End of Class Poll
Complete Exam: The Reproductive System
The Final Exam
Take Poll: End of Course Poll
Take Survey: Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
Complete: The Final Exam
Learning Outcomes
- Define anatomy and physiology.
- Know the chemistry behind anatomy and physiology.
- Describe cells - the foundation of life.
- Describe tissues (different types and functions).
- Describe and recognize all parts of the integumentary system.
- Recognize the important parts of the skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, and sensory system.
- Summarize the major parts of the endocrine system.
- Recognize the major parts of the cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, and the respiratory system.
- Summarize the major components of the digestive system, urinary system, and the reproductive system, and
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
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Student Testimonials
- "Thank you once again for all you help, time, energy and wisdom! I will be forever grateful for this terrific learning experience! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" -- Ami A.
- "These courses I took were great because I don't have much time with work to got to school. I could take my time doing the courses I took...and it was such a wonderful laid out course." -- Georgina K.
- "I found every lesson very helpful. All the lessons were broken down to layman's term to better understand each part associated with it....This course was an excellent learning experience for me. I never studied anatomy and physiolgy in school so it was a challenge for me. I enjoyed the feedback by the instructors who seem very knowledgeable." -- Michael I.
- "I liked the way the course built from the basic building blocks up to the complex various systems. It was a good progression and it was important to start out very basic because I did not have any background before going into this class." -- Diane M.
- "The material that was provided was very helpful, because I understand anatomy and physiology alot better. I have tried taking this course before in a classroom, and I could not get the understanding of anatomy and physiology, because it was very fast paced...The material provided is awesome. Most of all I can understand the material, and how anatomy and physiology relates and works together." -- Tamakia M.
- "All contents of this course are helpful not only to my career but most specially to my interest of knowing the human body, how it works and what is it made up of....First, allow me to say thanks for sharing to me your knowledge. This course is so helpful." -- Samia T.
- "Don't change a thing." -- Philip Z.
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