BODY STRUCTURE

AND FUNCTION

Prepared by Mickelder Kercy, MD - Instructor

Anatomist : Specialist in anatomy

Anatomy : Study of the structure and morphology

of the human body

Physiology : Study of how the human body

functions normally

Pathophysiology : Study of how diseases happen

in the body and how the body functions when

these diseases occur

Homeostasis : Ability of the human body to remain

stable at all times. Negative Feedback (when the

body tries to create the opposite effect to remain

normal)

Positive Feedback (When the body

tries to get more of the effect happening to the body)

THE HUMAN BODY : LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION

Atoms Molecules Cells Tissues Organs Systems Human Body

Atoms : Most basic level of organization

Molecules : Combination of two or more atoms. Can

be in solid/liquid/gas form. Ex : Water, sugar and

proteins. Water contains two hydrogen atoms and

one oxygen atom. Water makes up 57% of the body

weight

Electrolytes : Molecules or atoms that are positively

charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions

(anions). Electrolytes conduct electricity in the neurons

and the specialized heart muscle cells by crossing the

cell membranes. Found in the blood, plasma and

interstitial fluid. Examples are Na+ (atom), K+ (atom),

CL- (atom), Ca²+ (atom), Mg²+ (atom), HCO³ˉ

(molecule), PO³₄ˉ (molecule)

Cells : Most basic unit of life

- Cell membranes : Help maintain the cell’s shape,

selectively permeable, contain cilia in the respiratory

system and flagella in the sperm. Nutrients and wastes

are transported to and from the cell through the cell

membrane by Passive Transport / Diffusion[particles] /

Osmosis[water] / Filtration[mechanical pressure] /

Active Transport[ATP] as in Phagocytosis and

Pinocytosis[water]

- Cytoplasm (Gel-like substance with 80%

water. Contains organelles such as endoplasmic

reticulum, ribosomes, golgi apparatus, mitochondria,

liposomes and centrioles)

- Nucleus (contains 23 pairs of chromosome

composed of DNA + proteins. Also contains mRNA +

tRNA to interpret the DNA message for the synthesis

of protein)

- Mitosis(cell divides into two daughter cells. Also

the 46 Chromosomes in the nucleus double up (92) before

they split into 46 chromosomes going into a daughter cell

and another 46 chromosomes going into another daughter

cell)

- Meiosis (sexual cell divides into two daughter cells. In tandem, the 46 Chromosomes in the nucleus double up (92) before they split into 46 chromosomes going into one daughter cell and the other 46 chromosomes going into another daughter cell during meiosis I. Then the two daughter cells divide again into a total of 4 sperm/ova. Simultaneously the 46 chromosomes in one daughter cells split into 23 chromosomes that get into the 1st gamete/sperm/ova and the other 23 chromosomes that get into the 2nd sperm/ova. The 46 chromosomes in the other daughter cells also split into 23 chromosomes in the 3rd sperm/ova and 23 chromosomes in the 4th sperm/ova

Meiosis I

Meiosis II

Tissues : Composed of specialized cells

Epithelial Tissue – found on the outer

layer of skin and the surface of organs. Lining the

walls of body cavities

Connective Tissue – Most abundant, liquid or

gel-like matrix filling spaces between the cells, make

up the bones, connect the muscles to the bones and

bones to joints etc..

Muscle Tissue – skeletal (Voluntary +

Striated), Cardiac (Involuntary + Striated), Smooth

muscle tissue like the stomach/uterus/bladder

(Involuntary + Non-Striated)

Nerve Tissue – Composed of neurons

that transmit impulses and coordinate activities in

the body

Organ : Composed of tissues

System : Composed of organs

Human Body : Composed of 11 systems

ANATOMICAL POSITIONS

ANATOMICAL REGIONAL TERMS

CAVITIES OF THE BODY

GENETICS AND HEREDITY

Genetics : The study of genes in the DNA found in the chromosomes of an organism

Genetic Engineering : Changes that happen naturally or artificially when created by humans in the genes

Genetic fingerprinting : DNA patterns/sequences determined upon analysis of a sample of hair/ blood/ saliva etc.. to identify someone or determine paternity

Heredity : Genetic transmission from parent to child of certain traits

Albinism : Genetic disorder causing the

melanocytes to secrete little or no melanin

ADHD : Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Cleft Palate : Failure of the palatine bones to close

properly before birth

Color Deficiency : Decreased ability to see

color/perceive color differences

Color Blindness : Inability to see color/perceive

color differences

Cystic Fibrosis : Disease passed down through

families that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up

in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the

body

Down Syndrome : Trisomy 21

Fragile X Syndrome : Inherited mental retardation

and other signs

Hemochromatosis : Excessive accumulation of iron

in diverse organs causing them to function

improperly

Hemophilia : Blood coagulation time is greatly

increased

Klinefelter’s Syndrome : Congenital endocrine

disorder with the following characteristics

Muscular Dystrophy : Atrophy and weakening of the

muscle

Phenylketonuria : Accumulation of phenylalanine

causing brain damage leading to mental retardation.

Due to a defective enzyme in the liver

Sickle Cell Anemia : Anemia often found in people

of African origin. RBC have a sickle shape that can

lead them to obstruct the blood flow

Spina Bifida : Posterior vertebral arch does not fuse

causing the spinal cord and its membrane to

protrude

THE END