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Module Code - Title:

LS4003 - INTRODUCTORY ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

2

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

0

Credits

6

Grading Type:

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To provide the foundation for understanding the anatomy and physiological functioning of the human system so as to assist in the study of the effects of illness and disease on the individual. To acquaint students without a biological background with the basic concepts of general Anatomy and Physiology while providing a detailed introduction into cellular and tissue biology.

Syllabus:

Introduction to the body as a whole, tissues, organs, system, and cavities of the body, filtration, and simple diffusion. Cells: Cellular structure, the cell surface, cytoplasm, Eukaryotic cell structure and function: Principal components, organelle structure and function, genome organization, cytoskeleton and membrane systems. Cellular differentiation and development: Cell cycle & cell division, specialised cell types, stem cells, morphogenesis and multicellularity. Tissues: epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous. The Integumentary System: Histological structure and function of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The Skeletal System: Structure and function of the skeleton, the healing of fractures. Joints: Classification, structure, function. Muscles: Structure and function. The Central Nervous System: Meninges, ventricles and cerebrospinal fluid, blood supply and the brain barrier system, structure and function of the spinal cord, the midbrain, the pons varolii and cerebellum, the cerebrum, medulla oblongata, the limbic system. The Peripheral Nervous System and Reflexes: Classification and anatomy of nerves and nerve fibres, the cranial nerves, the spinal nerves, nerve plexuses, the nature of reflexes, components of a reflex arc. The Autonomic Nervous System: Anatomy of the sympathetic and parasympathetic division, functions of the autonomic nervous system, the adrenal glands, neurotransmitters and receptors.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Describe the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system and nervous system. Understand the structure of cells and the role of the cell membrane in cells. Describe the function of organelles and the principles and mechanisms behind the cell cycle and cell replication. Differentiate between several tissue types including epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous tissues. Evaluate the roles of the integumentary system, the skeletal system and the nervous system with reference to the contribution of each system to the maintenance of homeostasis Compare the anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

Appreciate the importance of an in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as a prerequisite for further studies. Appreciate the importance of the cell as a fundamental building block of tissues and appreciate how changes in cellular function contribute to diseased states.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Tortora, G. J. and Derrickson, B. (2006) Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 11th ed. , New York: Chichester: Wiley
Waugh, A. and Grant, A. (2006) Ross and Wilson: Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness, 10th ed. , Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone

Other Relevant Texts:

Baker, R. and Barasi, S. (2008) Neuroscience at a Glance, 3rd ed. , Oxford. Wiley Blackwell
Clancy J. and McVicar, A. (2002) Physiology and Anatomy: a homeostatic approach, 2nd ed. , London: Hodder Arnold
Saladin, K.S. (2003) Anatomy and Physiology - The Unity of Form and Function, 3rd ed. , Boston: McGraw-Hill

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Module Leader:

andreas.grabrucker@ul.ie