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Anatomy and Physiology

Ever wonder how the body works to keep you going every day? Do you know how a muscle contracts? How can you determine what is a normal versus abnormal urine test? How can various technologies be used to diagnose injury to the bones? These are a sample of questions that will be answered in Anatomy and Physiology.

This course is designed to investigate the anatomy and physiology of major body systems. The course begins with an introduction to anatomy and physiology and an insight into the importance of homeostasis. The course will focus on the structure and function of the following systems: skeletal, muscular, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, immune, endocrine, and nervous. The course will explore how the systems work together to ensure homeostasis and analyze what happens when one or more of these systems is disrupted. Students will also investigate treatments and advances for a variety of diseases and disorders.

Students will be asked to think critically as they complete hands-on labs, virtual labs, modeling, online simulations, reflections, and short writing assignments. Students will regularly engage with other classmates through discussions and collaborate with classmates on group assignments.

In this Honors-level course, students are expected to invest approximately 8 hours per week in their coursework. Those who have successfully completed a biology course and are looking for a challenging study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body are good candidates for the course.

Acknowledgements

Students must have successfully completed a full year of high school-level Biology, or equivalent. Students must be mature enough to handle urinary and reproductive system content.

This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.

Course Objectives

Course Essential Questions:

  • How does human anatomy influence physiological function?
  • How do disruptions to homeostasis cause changes to anatomical structures and physiological function?

Course Learning Objectives:

  • Analyze how the structure of tissues and organs enables them to perform specific functions within an organ system.
  • Explain how different organ systems work together to maintain homeostasis.
  • Explain how disruptions in anatomy and physiology can lead to diseases and disorders.

Additional Requirements

Students will be asked to provide some common household materials for hands-on lab work and modeling activities, some examples include craft supplies, empty toilet paper rolls, empty 2-liter soda bottle, clear plastic wrap or bags, balloons of different sizes, straws, cardstock or index cards, elastic bands, string, construction paper and different types of sunscreen.