After studying this module, you will be able to:

• Distinguish between anatomy and physiology, and identify several branches of each
• Describe the structure of the body, from simplest to most complex, in terms of the six levels of organization
• Identify the functional characteristics of human life
• Identify the four requirements for human survival
• Define homeostasis and explain its importance to normal human functioning
• Use appropriate anatomical terminology to identify key body structures, body regions, and directions in the body
• Compare and contrast at least four medical imaging techniques in terms of their function and use in medicine

After studying this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the fundamental composition of matter
• Identify the three subatomic particles
• Identify the four most abundant elements in the body
• Explain the relationship between an atom’s number of electrons and its relative stability
• Distinguish between ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and hydrogen bonds
• Explain how energy is invested, stored, and released via chemical reactions, particularly those reactions that are critical to life
• Explain the importance of the inorganic compounds that contribute to life, such as water, salts, acids, and bases
• Compare and contrast the four important classes of organic (carbon-based) compounds—proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids—according to their composition and functional importance to human life

After studying this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the structure and function of the cell membrane, including its regulation of materials into and out of the cell
• Describe the functions of the various cytoplasmic organelles
• Explain the structure and contents of the nucleus, as well as the process of DNA replication
• Explain the process by which a cell builds proteins using the DNA code
• List the stages of the cell cycle in order, including the steps of cell division in somatic cells
• Discuss how a cell differentiates and becomes more specialized
• List the morphological and physiological characteristics of some representative cell types in the human body

After studying this module, you will be able to:

• Identify the main tissue types and discuss their roles in the human body.
• Describe the structural characteristics of the various epithelial tissues and how these characteristics enable their functions.
• Describe the structural characteristics of the various connective tissues and how these characteristics enable their functions.
• Describe the characteristics of muscle tissue and how these dictate muscle function.
• Describe the characteristics of nervous tissue and how these enable the unique functions of nervous tissue.
• Describe the process of tissue response to injury.

After studying this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the integumentary system and the role it plays in homeostasis
• Describe the layers of the skin and the functions of each layer
• Describe the accessory structures of the skin and the functions of each
• Describe the functions of the integumentary system
• Describe the changes that occur in the integumentary system during the aging process
• Discuss several common diseases, disorders, and injuries that affect the integumentary system

After studying this module, you will be able to:

• List and describe the functions of the skeletal system
• Describe the classes of bones
• Describe the microscopic and gross anatomical structures of bones
• Discuss the process of bone formation and development
• Explain how bone repairs itself after a fracture
• Discuss the effect of exercise, nutrition, and hormones on bone tissue
• Describe how an imbalance of calcium can affect bone tissue

After studying this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the functions of the skeletal system and define its two major subdivisions
• Identify the bones and bony structures of the skull, the cranial suture lines, the cranial fossae, and the openings in the skull
• Discuss the vertebral column and regional variations in its bony components and curvatures
• Describe the components of the thoracic cage
• Discuss the embryonic development of the axial skeleton

After studying this module, you will be able to:

• Describe the bones of the pectoral girdle, and describe how the girdle unites the upper limbs with the axial skeleton
• Describe the bones of the upper limb, including the bones of the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand
• Describe the bones of the pelvic girdle, and describe how the pelvis unites the lower limbs with the axial skeleton.
• Describe the bones of the lower limb, including the bones of the thigh, leg, ankle, and foot
• Describe the embryonic formation and growth of the limb bones.

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