Description

The introduction explains what anatomy (the study of body structure) and physiology (the study of body function) are and emphasizes that the two are closely connected. It introduces the concept of levels of organization in the human body—from atoms and cells to tissues, organs, organ systems, and the whole organism. The chapter also explains homeostasis, the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment, and describes how feedback mechanisms help regulate body functions. Finally, it introduces basic anatomical terminology, body planes, body cavities, and directional terms that students will use throughout the rest of the book.