Download Unit 7: Anatomy and Physiology (1st Diploma – option) Unit abstract

Unit 7: Anatomy and Physiology (1st Diploma – option)
Unit abstract
This unit is designed to give learners a basic knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology, and will support those who wish to
continue their studies on courses such as the BTEC Nationals in Applied Science (Medical Science), Sport and Exercise Sciences or Beauty
Therapy Sciences where anatomy and physiology are core components of the qualifications. It will also support learners wishing to enter
employment in the health, beauty and sport science sectors.
The unit is intended to be delivered through practical and experiential learning wherever possible, where learners will need to describe the
structure and function of body systems and where practicable will simulate body system functions in vitro. Measurement of surface area, and the
role of enzymes in the digestive system will be investigated. Simple respiratory function and aspects of the functioning of the circulatory system
will be measured.
A knowledge of the nervous system should be reinforced by simple reflex and sensory experiments. Hormone function should be studied in
conjunction with case studies and realistic scenarios.
The unit requires learners to have an appreciation of homeostasis and the need for internal control mechanisms. Only one of these mechanisms
should be studied in detail.
Cell division and its relation to growth and to the reproductive and inheritance of characteristics processes is studied, and with practical input
wherever this can be arranged, and a knowledge of the human reproductive system is included.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Know the structure and investigate the functions of individual body systems, and relate the functions to their role in maintaining health
2 Be able to investigate the roles of the nervous and endocrine systems in co-ordinating body systems
3 Understand the importance of homeostasis to human body function
4 Know the factors involved in the maintenance of the human species.
Unit content
1 Know the structure and investigate the functions of individual body systems, and relate the functions to their role in maintaining health
The digestive system: parts of the digestive system and how they are involved in digestion, eg mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine;
mechanical digestion (teeth, swallowing, peristalsis); chemical digestion (enzymatic breakdown of, eg carbohydrates, fats and proteins);
absorption and assimilation (fate of nutrients, storage of excess nutrients, use of nutrients to maintain cell and body functions)
The respiratory system: parts of the respiratory system; gas exchange; factors affecting rates of breathing; aerobic respiration in cells to release
energy to maintain cell and body functions
The circulatory system: structure of blood; the blood circulatory system (blood vessels, the lymphatic system, the structure of the heart, blood
circulation providing the transport system to maintain cell and body functions); the function of blood in defence against infection
2 Be able to investigate the roles of the nervous and endocrine systems in co-ordinating body systems
The nervous system: the central nervous system; the peripheral nervous system; nerve
structure; a simple reflex arc; the function of the autonomic nervous system
The endocrine system: position of main glands (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, reproductive); function of adrenaline, thyroxine, insulin,
progesterone, oestrogen and testosterone in co-ordinating the body systems
3 Understand the importance of homeostasis to human body function
Homeostasis: definition of organs involved and homeostatic control eg skin, liver in temperature control, kidneys in excretion; salt levels and
water levels in the blood; liver and pancreas in blood sugar levels
Role of homeostasis: maintaining a constant internal environment in the body
4 Know the factors involved in the maintenance of the human species
Cell division: mitosis; meiosis; chromosomes; genes
Inheritance of characteristics: monohybrid inheritance patterns; sex determination; production of gametes; continuous and discontinuous variation
eg tongue rolling, skin colour
Human reproductive system: structure of male and female reproductive systems; sperm production; ovulation; fertilisation; formation of the
embryo; development of the foetus; birth; hormonal birth control.
Grading grid
Grading criteria
To achieve a pass grade the evidence must show
that the learner is able to:
To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show
that, in addition to the pass criteria, the learner
is able to:
To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must
show that, in addition to the pass and merit
criteria, the learner is able to:
P1 describe the structures associated with the
digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems
Identify the functions of each system and describe
how each contributes to the maintenance of a
healthy body
M1 describe the ways in which each of these three
systems interacts with the other to maintain cellular
and body functions
D1 explain the role of the three systems in the
production of energy in the cells
P2 describe the structures of the nervous system and
its role in coordinating body functions
P3 describe the position of the main endocrine
glands and describe the action of the hormones they
produce
M2 explain the way in which a nerve impulse is
conducted from a sensory site to produce an effect
M3 explain the difference between the way
hormones coordinate body functions and the way
the nervous system coordinates body functions
M4 describe the need for the homeostatic
mechanism and its effect on the body
D2 compare and contrast the effects of nervous
coordination and endocrine coordination
D3 describe cell function and the relationship with
the cell environment
D4 explain what happens to the body when the
homeostatic mechanism is no longer working
effectively
P4 identify a homeostatic control system and
describe the components and action of it
M5 solve simple monohybrid inheritance problems
D4 distinguish between continuous and
discontinuous variation in inherited characters
P5 describe mitotic and meiotic cell division, and
the role of each in monohybrid inheritance patterns
M6 explain the process of hormonal control of the
reproductive cycles and functions.
D5 explain the way conception is controlled using
replacement hormones.
P6 identify the structure and describe the functions
of the male and female human reproductive systems.