Foundations of Human Structure and Function

This unit establishes core anatomical and physiological vocabulary, basic chemical and cellular principles, and the concept of homeostasis while introducing major organ systems (integumentary, skeletal, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive). Students will build working models and clinical examples to connect structure and function and prepare for deeper, system-level analysis in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze and use standard anatomical terminology and levels of organization to interpret anatomical relationships and communicate findings using models and diagrams
• Apply principles of matter, ions, electrolytes, cellular structure, and cell division to explain membrane transport, fluid balance, and basic cellular processes
• Demonstrate how homeostatic mechanisms are maintained and integrated by the nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems through case-based scenarios and simulations
• Evaluate structure–function relationships across integumentary, skeletal, circulatory, lymphatic/immune, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems and predict physiological consequences of common dysfunctions