THE STUDY OF BODY FUNCTIONS

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 OBJECTIVES
On completion of this lecture students should be able to:
 Define the science physiology.
 Describe the levels of structural complexity within the
body.
 Recognize the four basic tissues of the body.
 Identify body systems and their organs.
 Comprehend the functions of body systems and their
organs.

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Physiology
Physiology is the science of studying the functional activities
and its mechanisms in a human body.
Two approaches to study body functions:
– Emphasis on Mechanism (How)
• Explanations are in terms of cause and effect
sequences
– Body is viewed as a machine
– Emphasis on purpose of body process (Why)
• Explanations are in terms of meeting a bodily need

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Distinguish Between:

Process Function
How do we breath? Why do we breath?
How does blood flow? Why does blood flow?
How does RBCs Why do RBCs transport
transport Oxygen? Oxygen?

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Anatomy
• Anatomy is the science of studying the structure of
human body.
• Physiology is linked to Anatomy: Structure-Function
relationships. The structure permit the function
• Example:
Heart Receiving and Pumping Blood.
Teeth Tearing and Grinding Food.

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LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION IN THE
HUMAN BODY

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 LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION IN THE
HUMAN BODY
How the body structurally organized into a total functional
unit.
CHEMICAL LEVEL:
• Human body is a combination of atoms, the most common
atoms are: Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen and Nitrogen.
• These atoms combine to form molecules like Proteins,
Carbohydrates, Fats and Nucleic acids.

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 LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION IN THE
HUMAN BODY
CELLULAR LEVEL:
• Cells are the basic unit of life.
• The fundamental unit for structure and function.
• The cell interior contain a combination of atoms and
molecules.
• Human begins start with egg and sperm fused together
to form single cell, which multiplies and differentiate into
specialized cells.

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 LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION IN THE
HUMAN BODY
1.Group of cells make - Tissue
2.Group of tissues make - Organ
3.Group of organs make – Body System
4.Body systems make - Biological body

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 LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION IN THE
HUMAN BODY
TISSUE LEVEL:
Define as a group of cells of similar structure and specialized
function.
FOUR TYPES OF TISSUES IN HUMAN BODY:
1. MUSCLE TISSUE:
A. Skeletal muscle which move the skeleton.
B. Cardiac muscle which pump the blood out of the heart.
C. Smooth muscle which moves the contents through tubes
and organs.

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2. NERVOUS TISSUE:
Consist of cells specialized for initiating and transmitting electrical
impulses (impulses are signals that carry information from one part
of the body to another part).

3. EPITHELIAL TISSUE:
Consist of specialized cells for exchanging materials.
Organized in two forms:
• Epithelial Sheet: protective barriers e.g. skin and GIT lumen.
• Glands: Endocrine or Exocrine responsible of secretions.

4. Connective Tissue:
Connect, support and anchor various body parts.
A.Loose connective tissue
B.Tendons
C.Bones
D.Blood 12
 LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION IN THE
HUMAN BODY
ORGAN LEVEL:

An Organ is a Unit Made Up of Several Tissue Type

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 LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION IN THE
HUMAN BODY

SYSTEM LEVEL:
• Groups of organs that perform related functions
and interact to accomplish a common activity
essential to survival of the whole body

• Do not act in isolation from one another

• Human body has 11 systems

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LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION IN THE
HUMAN BODY
ORGANISM LEVEL

The body systems are packed together into a functional whole body
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 BODY SYSTEMS
• Circulatory System • Integumentary
• Digestive System System(Skin,hairs,nails)
• Respiratory System • Immune System
• Urinary System • Nervous System
• Skeletal System • Endocrine System
• Muscular System • Reproductive System

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BODY SYSTEMS

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BODY SYSTEMS

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BODY SYSTEMS

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 REFERENCES
• Human physiology, Lauralee Sherwood, seventh edition.

• Textbook : Human Physiology, by Stuart Fox 12th Edition .

• Text book physiology by Guyton &Hall,11th edition.

• Physiology by Berne and Levy, sixth edition.

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