Organ Systems: Structure & Function

This unit examines the anatomy and physiology of major organ systems (endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, lymphatic/immune, reproductive, integumentary, musculoskeletal, and nervous), and the cellular and molecular processes that support them, including development, growth, and aging. It builds on foundational cellular concepts from earlier units and prepares students to analyze system integration, homeostasis, and clinical pathophysiology in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the structure–function relationships of major human organ systems (endocrine, cardiovascular/blood, respiratory, digestive, urinary, lymphatic/immune, reproductive, integumentary, musculoskeletal, and nervous) and explain each system’s role in maintaining homeostasis
• Demonstrate identification of key anatomical structures and physiological processes by accurately labeling models or diagrams and describing the components of blood, respiratory passages, alimentary canal, urinary tract, lymphatic structures, and female reproductive anatomy
• Apply knowledge of cellular building blocks, tissue types, and mechanisms (macromolecules, bone growth/remodeling, muscle sliding-filament contraction, gametogenesis, and prenatal development) to explain growth, lactation, and age-related changes
• Evaluate common pathophysiologic disruptions (endocrine disorders, immune dysfunction, respiratory or circulatory compromise, and reproductive system conditions) and propose evidence-based interventions that restore or support system-level homeostasis