STUDY NOTES FOR ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

CELLS AND TISSUES

The word cell was first used by Robert Hooke and Robert Brown discovered
the Nucleus. The study of cells is called cytology and the average human has
100 trillion cells.
The cell theory states that all organisms are composed of one or more cells,
the cell is the basic unit of life in all living things and all cells are produced by
division of pre-existing cells.
The plasma membrane is the boundary of the cell and is composed of three
distinct layers including two layers of fat and one layer of protein.
All cells have a cell membrane and some cells have a cell wall, which are
porous and allows water, CO2, Oxygen and nutrients to pass through.
Tissues are layers or groups of similar cells with a common function and are
distinguished from each other by their size, organization and function.
There are four types of tissues including Epithelial, Connective, Muscle and
Nervous.
Epithelial:
Composed of glands, found on the surface of the body, has no blood vessels,
tightly packed cells with rapid cell division and protects the internal organs.
Epithelial tissues are named by the cell shape which are squamous, cuboidal
and columnar and are characterised by the
tightly junked cells and the
presence of a cell secretion called the basement membrane.
Connective: Cells are widely separated in a matrix composed of two regions including
Ground and Fibers. Connective tissues comprise most of the body and its
functions include to bind structures, provide support and protection, serve as
a framework, fill spaces, store fat, produce blood cells and protect against
infection. There are six types of connective tissues including loose, dense,
adipose, cartilage, bone and blood.
Muscle: Cells have fibres specialized for contraction and tissues can be divided into
three types including skeletal muscle which is voluntary, smooth muscle
which is involuntary and cardiac muscle.
Nervous: -

Cell is a neuron and is specialized to polarize and depolarize to transport

messages. Tissue also contains multiple channels for movement of charged
particles (ions).

THE SKIN
The skin is the largest organ in the body and is classed as an integumentary
system with many functions. These functions such as acting as a first line of
defense by covering the body, regulating body temperature, manufacturing
vitamin D and being a site of many nerve endings.
The skin is divided into three basic layers which are Epidermis, Dermis and
Hypodermis and is characterised by temporarily storing glucose, fat, water
and salt, protecting humans from UV radiation and absorbing chemical
substances eg. Ointments.

THE SEXUAL LIFE CYCLE

Adults
produce sex
cells by
meiosis
(sperm and
ova which
are both
haploid)

Mitosis

Fertilization
Occurs

Embryo

A zygote is
created
(diploid)

CHECK HANDOUT FOR INFO ON MEIOSIS AND MITOSIS