UNIT 3: An Introduction to Human Science
This Unit presents a concise systematic review of the structure and function of the human body.
Overview
- Key concepts, including a brief look at the building blocks of the body and homeostasis
- Blood and the cardiovascular system
- The lymphatic and immune systems
- The digestive system
- The musculo-skeletal system
- The respiratory system
Learning Outcomes
By the end Section 1, you will be able to:
- Describe the structural organisation of the human body
- Accurately identify the structures of a eukaryotic cell and describe their functions
- Discuss the concept of homeostasis.
By the end of Section 2, you will be able to:
- List five main blood vessel types
- Explain how the structure of arterial and venous vessel walls differ, and how this relates to their function
- Describe the structure of the heart
- Name the two different circulatory systems and understand what differentiates them
- Understand what creates the pulse.
- Be introduced to one major herbal medicine with affinity for the cardiovascular system.
By the end of Section 3, you will be able to:
- List the structures which comprise the lymphatic system
- Describe the composition of lymph
- Explain the functions of lymph
- Describe the main functions of the spleen.
- Be introduced to one major herbal medicine with affinity for the lymphatic system. •
By the end of Section 4, you will be able to:
- Name the three salivary glands, and describe the functions of saliva
- List the various sections of the small intestine, and describe some of the hormones involved in controlling its function
- List five functions of the liver
- Describe the function of the large intestine.
By the end of Section 5, you will be able to:
- List six functions of bones
- List the three types of bone cells and explain their functions
- Explain the endocrine regulation of bone growth
- Differentiate between smooth muscle, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle.
- Be introduced to one major herbal medicine with affinity for the musculoskeletal system.
By the end of Section 6, you will be able to:
- List the structures comprising the respiratory system
- Outline the structure of the lungs
- List the main muscles involved in breathing and describe how they perform their actions
- Learn to measure the respiration rate
- Differentiate between internal respiration and external respiration.
By the end of Section 7, you will be able to:
- Accurately label the major anatomical features of the kidney
- Give an example of the endocrine function of the kidney
- Explain how urine is formed
- Consider the kidney and its connections with other systems of the body
Additional Information
Includes references to articles, videos and recommended reading.