Organ Systems: Structure and Function

This unit examines cellular, tissue, and organ-level structure and function across multiple body systems, including nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, musculoskeletal, integumentary, endocrine, and lymphatic systems. It builds on foundational concepts from Unit 1 (cell and tissue basics) and prepares students to apply integrated physiological and clinical reasoning in Units 3 and 4.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze cellular and tissue structures (neurons, glial cells, muscle tissue types, bone/ossification, hair, nails, and glands) and correlate microscopic and macroscopic features with their specific functional roles in organ systems.
• Apply principles of cell division and genetics (mitosis, meiosis, and chromosome packaging) to explain gametogenesis, tissue growth/repair, and predict consequences of cell-cycle errors.
• Demonstrate the ability to trace and model key physiological pathways — including neural conduction, cardiac conduction (nodes and conduction system), respiratory ventilation, oral-to-gastric digestion, renal filtration, and lymphatic drainage — and interpret related diagrams and clinical scenarios.
• Evaluate how endocrine, immune/lymphatic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems integrate to maintain homeostasis and propose appropriate interventions for common dysfunctions (e.g., arrhythmias, respiratory compromise, renal impairment).