Human Anatomy and Physiology

Full course description

BIO2010 focuses on the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of some of the major systems in the human body. As structure and function are closely interrelated, with function often following from form, this course seeks to illuminate the interplay between these two disciplines and how they relate to individual organ systems (as well as the interactions between them).

The course starts with a brief recap of the smallest living subunit of the human body – the cell – and subsequently delves into some of the different organ networks of the body, including the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, nervous (particularly autonomic), and gastro-intestinal systems. Finally, those disparate complexes will be integrated at the level of the complete human organism.

A central feature of the course will be “homeostasis”, that is “the processes by which the body reacts to changes in order to keep conditions inside the body, for example temperature, the same”. As this course is too short to elaborate on all aspects of anatomy and physiology, particular attention is paid to the cardiovascular system. This is especially relevant as the circulatory network is involved in many aspects of homeostatic regulation.

The course will provide a foundation for those who pursue a(n) (academic) career in Life Sciences, Biometrics, Biomaterials, Biochemistry, or Medicine.