Organ Systems and Homeostasis

This unit explores the structure and integrated function of major human organ systems—cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, digestive, integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous/endocrine, lymphatic, and reproductive—and the cellular and tissue organization that supports them. Students will study mechanisms of transport and control, immune defenses, and reproductive anatomy and development to connect microscopic structure to whole‑body physiology and prepare for clinical and pathophysiology applications in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the structure–function relationships of major organ systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, integumentary, musculoskeletal, nervous/endocrine, lymphatic, and reproductive) to explain how anatomical features support physiological roles.
• Apply knowledge of cellular and tissue organization to explain emergent physiological processes, including transport, secretion, and barrier functions in organs such as skin, bone, and mucosal surfaces.
• Demonstrate mechanisms of physiological control and homeostasis by describing membrane transport, neural impulse conduction, endocrine signaling, and innate and adaptive immune responses in maintaining internal stability.
• Evaluate human reproductive anatomy, the processes of fertilization and embryonic development, and trimester‑specific maternal–fetal interactions to predict developmental outcomes and basic clinical considerations.