MMED1005 How Your Body Works: Human Physiology and Structure

Each week, a specific part of the human body will be explored, based on every-day experience, to develop an understanding of its basic structure and function. Examples of how normal physiology can be disrupted in disease, by toxins or by drugs will be contrasted with normal regulation. The molecules of the human body and their roles in cells is included as well as how the body eliminates wastes, obtains molecular raw materials, and transports these to cells will be discussed, introducing the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and renal systems.

The focus then shifts to control mechanisms, introducing the sensory and central nervous systems, the musculoskeletal system, endocrine and reproductive systems.

At the end of the topic, students will:

• Understand the relationship between molecules, cells, tissues, organs in the human body, in general terms
• Be able to describe the roles of the major organ systems of the human body
• Be able to relate the basic structure to the function of some of the major organs at a cellular level
• Understand the principle of homeostasis in the regulation of body systems
• Have an appreciation that the normal physiological control can be modified in disease and by drugs, toxins etc

1. Students will have a general understanding of the structure and function of the healthy human body
2. The topic will provide a general preparation for more specialised biomedical topics in future years, including more advanced physiology and neuroscience topics
3. Students will appreciate the value of scientific study of the body using a reductionist approach, while appreciating that normal function requires integration of multiple systems
4. Students will start to apply the knowledge developed in this topic to understand their own body's function in health