Foundations of Human Structure & Function

This unit introduces foundational concepts in human anatomy and physiology, including cellular structure, tissue types, and form–function relationships across major organ systems. Students investigate energy transfer, basic metabolism, transport mechanisms, and how nervous and endocrine signaling integrate systems to maintain homeostasis, preparing them for deeper system-specific study in later units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze levels of biological organization from cells to organ systems by relating cellular structures and tissue types to their physiological functions.
• Demonstrate knowledge of major organ systems (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, lymphatic, reproductive) by identifying key structures, describing primary functions, and tracing pathways for transport and integration.
• Apply principles of energy transfer, metabolism, and transport to predict physiological responses to common perturbations (e.g., exercise, dehydration, hormonal shifts) and explain movement of substances within the body.
• Evaluate how cellular communication and coordinated tissue and organ interactions (nervous and endocrine signaling) support development, unique human traits, and integrated network responses that maintain homeostasis.