Tissues and Organ System Integration

This unit advances from cellular and histological principles to the structure, function, and integration of major organ systems (nervous, musculoskeletal, integumentary, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive). Students investigate embryology and development, homeostatic mechanisms, immune responses, and anatomical terminology to prepare for clinical applications and advanced physiological study in the next unit.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the relationships among cells, organelles, and tissue types and explain how alterations at the cellular level (e.g., protein synthesis, histologic changes) affect organ and system function
• Apply anatomical terminology and Greek/Latin roots to accurately identify structures and describe the organization of the axial and appendicular skeletons, major muscle groups, and integumentary components
• Demonstrate understanding of nervous system organization and signaling by comparing central and peripheral components, tracing neural pathways, and explaining how neural control contributes to homeostasis
• Evaluate the integrated roles of the immune, cardiovascular, lymphatic, endocrine, digestive, and urinary systems in maintaining homeostasis, responding to pathogens and stress, and supporting fetal-to-newborn development