Anatomy and Physiology 50A: Course Structure, Topics, and Study Guide

Anatomy and Physiology 50A: Course Overview

Course Description

This course is the first in a two-part sequence introducing students to the fundamental concepts and principles of anatomy and physiology. It provides a foundation for advanced study of the human body, covering body orientation, organization, cells, tissues, skeletal and muscular systems, neurophysiology, and the central nervous system. The course is designed for students preparing for professional programs such as nursing, dental hygiene, and physical therapy.

• Lecture Hours: 36

• Laboratory Hours: 108

• Grading: Letter grade only

Student Learning Outcomes

• Anatomical Terminology: Classify and use anatomical terms to identify and describe the human body.

• Chemistry Principles: Relate basic chemistry to physiological needs at multiple levels.

• Cell Structure and Function: Connect cellular structure to function and homeostasis.

• Tissue Histology: Differentiate tissues by histological features and relate structure to function.

• System Anatomy and Physiology: Connect anatomy of integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems to their physiology.

• Homeostatic Regulation: Analyze regulation in integumentary, skeletal, and muscular systems.

• Skeletal Development: Describe skeletal development, remodeling, and repair.

• Neuromuscular Junction: Describe anatomy and events at the neuromuscular junction.

• Neuronal Anatomy: Connect neuron anatomy to action potential generation.

• Nervous System Roles: Describe sensory reception, integration, and output.

• Neuronal Communication: Explain mechanisms of neuronal communication.

• CNS Structures: Describe major structures of the central nervous system.

Course Materials

• Textbook: Marieb Human Anatomy and Physiology, 12th ed. (Older editions acceptable)

• Online Access: Pearson MyLab and Mastering (via Canvas)

• Lab Manual: Anatomy and Physiology 50B Laboratory Manual and Lecture notes (Canvas)

• Other Materials: Scantrons, pencils, atlases, study aids (flash cards, colored pencils, etc.)

Course Policies

Attendance and Participation

• Attendance is mandatory for all lectures and labs.

• Absences may result in loss of course placement or grade reduction.

• Periodic quizzes cannot be made up if missed.

Academic Integrity

• Cheating results in course failure and college incident report.

• Quizzes and exams are individual, timed, and closed book/notes.

Special Needs and Accommodations

• Contact Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) for documented disabilities.

• Requests for religious observance accommodations must be made in writing by week two.

Cell Phone Policy

• Phones must be off or on vibrate during class; no exceptions during exams.

Grading and Assessment

Grade Scale

Points	Percentage	Grade
1260 – 1400	90-100%	A
1120 – 1259	80-89.9%	B
980 – 1119	70-79.9%	C
840 – 979	60-69.9%	D
< 840	< 60%	F

Point Breakdown

Assessment	Points
5 Sectional Lecture Exams (80 pts each)	400
5 Sectional Lab Exams (70 pts each)	350
Comprehensive Final Exam	100
Sectional Chapter HW Assignments	250
Canvas Quizzes	150
Lab Assignments	150
Total	1400

• Lecture: ~60% of final grade

• Lab: ~40% of final grade

Course Schedule and Topics

Lecture Topics (with Corresponding Chapters)

• Ch. 1: The Human Body: An Orientation

• Ch. 2: Chemistry Comes Alive

• Ch. 3: Cells: The Living Units

• Ch. 4: Tissue: The Living Fabric (Histology)

• Ch. 5: The Integumentary System

• Ch. 6: Bones and Skeletal Tissues

• Ch. 7: The Skeleton

• Ch. 8: Joints

• Ch. 9: Muscles and Muscle Tissue

• Ch. 10: The Muscular System

• Ch. 11: Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue (Neurophysiology)

• Ch. 12: The Central Nervous System

• Ch. 13.3: Peripheral Nervous System (selected sections)

Laboratory Topics

• The Language of Anatomy

• Microscopy and Macromolecules

• Cellular Structures and Functions

• Cellular Transport, Cell Cycle, Protein Synthesis

• Histology

• Integumentary System

• Skeletal System (Bones, Joints)

• Muscular System

• Neurophysiology (Neuron Structures, Brain Anatomy, Spinal Cord)

Key Concepts and Academic Context

The Human Body: An Orientation

This topic introduces the basic terminology, orientation, and organization of the human body, including anatomical position, directional terms, and body planes.

• Anatomical Position: Standard reference position for describing locations and directions on the body.

• Directional Terms: Superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, proximal, distal.

• Body Planes: Sagittal, frontal (coronal), transverse.

• Body Cavities: Dorsal and ventral cavities, including subdivisions.

Chemistry Comes Alive

Basic chemistry principles are essential for understanding physiological processes at the molecular and cellular levels.

• Atoms and Molecules: Structure of atoms, elements, compounds.

• Macromolecules: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

• Chemical Reactions: Synthesis, decomposition, exchange reactions.

• Homeostasis: Chemical balance is crucial for maintaining physiological stability.

Cells: The Living Units

Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life. Understanding cell structure and function is foundational for anatomy and physiology.

• Cellular Structures: Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, organelles (nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes).

• Cell Transport: Diffusion, osmosis, active transport.

• Cell Cycle: Phases of cell division (mitosis, interphase).

• Protein Synthesis: Transcription and translation processes.

Tissue: The Living Fabric (Histology)

Tissues are groups of cells with similar structure and function. Histology is the study of tissues.

• Types of Tissues: Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous.

• Histological Features: Cell shape, arrangement, extracellular matrix.

• Function: Each tissue type has specific roles in the body.

The Integumentary System

The integumentary system includes the skin, hair, nails, and associated glands. It protects the body and regulates temperature.

• Skin Layers: Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis.

• Functions: Protection, sensation, thermoregulation, vitamin D synthesis.

• Homeostatic Regulation: Skin plays a role in maintaining internal balance.

Bones and Skeletal Tissues; The Skeleton

The skeletal system provides structure, protection, and movement. It includes bones, cartilage, ligaments, and joints.

• Bone Structure: Compact and spongy bone, bone cells (osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts).

• Skeletal Development: Ossification, growth, remodeling, and repair.

• Joints: Classification (fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial), movement types.

Muscles and Muscle Tissue; The Muscular System

Muscle tissue enables movement and force generation. The muscular system includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.

• Muscle Types: Skeletal (voluntary), cardiac (involuntary), smooth (involuntary).

• Muscle Structure: Muscle fibers, myofibrils, sarcomeres.

• Neuromuscular Junction: Site of communication between motor neuron and muscle fiber.

• Muscle Contraction: Sliding filament theory, action potential, calcium role.

Fundamentals of the Nervous System and Nervous Tissue; Central Nervous System

The nervous system coordinates sensory input, integration, and motor output. The central nervous system (CNS) includes the brain and spinal cord.

• Neuron Structure: Dendrites, axon, cell body, synapse.

• Action Potential: Electrical signal generated by neurons.

• Neuronal Communication: Synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters.

• CNS Anatomy: Major brain regions, spinal cord structure.

Example Equations and Academic Context

Cell Transport Equations

• Osmosis: Movement of water across a semipermeable membrane.

• Diffusion Rate: Fick's Law of Diffusion:

$J = -D \frac{dC}{dx}$

• J: Flux (amount per unit area per unit time)

• D: Diffusion coefficient

• \frac{dC}{dx}: Concentration gradient

Action Potential Equation

• Nernst Equation: Used to calculate equilibrium potential for ions:

$E = \frac{RT}{zF} \ln \frac{[ion]_{outside}}{[ion]_{inside}}$

• E: Equilibrium potential

• R: Gas constant

• T: Temperature (Kelvin)

• z: Ion charge

• F: Faraday's constant

Study Tips

• Allocate 2-3 hours of study per hour of class time (minimum 18 hours/week).

• Use flash cards, diagrams, and atlases for visual learning.

• Review lecture and lab notes regularly.

• Practice with quizzes and assignments to reinforce learning.

Important Dates

• Last Day to Add: March 9, 2025

• Last Day to Withdraw with Refund: March 1, 2025

• Last Day to Withdraw Without "W": March 9, 2025

• Last Day to Withdraw With "W": May 16, 2025

• Final Exam: June 12, 2026

Additional info: Academic context and definitions were added to expand brief syllabus points into a self-contained study guide. Equations and tables were inferred from standard anatomy and physiology content.