Foundations of Anatomy and Cells

This unit reviews core concepts of anatomy and physiology, including anatomical terminology, levels of biological organization, cellular structure and function, macromolecules, genetics, tissue types, and the skeletal system. It establishes the cellular and molecular foundations students need to analyze physiological processes and prepares them to study organ systems and clinical applications in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze anatomical terminology and levels of organization to accurately describe spatial relationships and to communicate structure-function connections from cells through organ systems in written and oral formats
• Demonstrate knowledge of eukaryotic cell structure, major macromolecules, membrane transport, and metabolic pathways by identifying components, explaining their functions, and relating them to cellular energy use
• Apply principles of metabolism and homeostasis to predict physiological responses to internal and external perturbations and design a simple model or experimental plan illustrating negative and positive feedback
• Evaluate how genetic information, the cell cycle, and cellular differentiation lead to tissue formation and skeletal structure by analyzing histology images or case data and linking cellular events to tissue and organ-level functions