Human Physiology (saylor.org)

Human physiology is the study of the body’s processes, also known as functions. You already have experience with this subject, because you are a human and perform numerous functions each day to maintain your body’s balance or homeostasis. For example, gas exchange in your lungs provides the body’s cells with adequate oxygen supply needed to survive and carry out metabolic processes. Digestion of food components in your mouth, stomach, and small intestines breaks larger substances into molecules that can be absorbed in the small intestines and used for energy. White blood cells attack foreign bodies, such as bacteria and cells containing viruses to keep you free from infection.

In this course, we will look at each organ system in detail and then discuss the ways in which these systems interact in order to maintain overall body functioning. Metabolism and homeostasis – or the maintenance of the body at a set, optimal level – will be important themes found throughout the units. We will accordingly discuss metabolic processes at length from the cellular to the organismal level. Although this course will focus on the function (physiology) of the human body, it is necessary to have a good grasp of anatomy in order to fully understand function. We will briefly review the anatomy of each organ system before studying the systems themselves.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe the relationship between structure and function at the cellular level, and relate dysfunctional states of health to problems at the cellular level when appropriate.
Given relevant physiological information, explain the physiological mechanisms involved.
Describe the concepts of homeostasis and feedback control in relationship to each organ system.
Use vocabulary of physiological terms, and demonstrate an ability to communicate efficiently in a medical environment.
Describe techniques currently in use that measure the function of organ systems.