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All known living organisms are composed of one or more cells. Cells are the units from which all living organisms are built. Some organisms (e.g. bacteria) have only one cell in the entire organism. Others are multi-cellular.
In this course, you will learn about the basic units of life, of how each cell is a self-contained and partially self-sufficient compartment designed to carry out a limited series of functions.
£299.00
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The word cell is derived from the Latin “cella” which means “small room”. Cells are the units from which all living organisms are built. Some organisms (e.g. bacteria) have only one cell in the entire organism. Others are multi-cellular. A human body can contain an estimated 100,000 billion cells. Each cell is a self-contained and partially self-sufficient compartment designed to carry out a limited series of functions. While the structure and function of cells is extremely variable, their basic structure is similar. All cells are bound by an outer membrane and contain cytoplasm and DNA.
essons: The course comprises 6 lessons as detailed, below.
In this course, before we investigate the gross anatomical structures of the body, we learn about the individual units that make up all tissues; cells. Many vital processes occur in the cell. Different cells have different structures, numbers of organelles and so on, to enable them to perform their specific functions. These cells together form tissues which in turn group to form organs and organ systems that combine different cell types to enable systems to perform coordinated functions.
In order to investigate systemic and regional anatomy later in the course, it is
first important that we look at the microscopic anatomy of cells. We will start by
discussing common organelles and structures, before examining some of the specialised
structures found in some cell types.
There are a range of basic functions that are common to most cells in the body, along with a range of specialist functions performed by specific cells or cell types. This course will investigate a range of these common processes as well as studying the structures that make up the body.
The human body is such a complex thing; that it can be overwhelming when you first start learning about it’s structure and function. The only way to really learn is to study it systematically, dealing with the different components of the body, one at a time.
Over time, as your knowledge of different components builds; you will then be able to start seeing how these different parts interact with each other.
Your knowledge and understanding will build progressively; and when you follow a well structured learning pathway such as this course; and have support from well qualified and experienced tutors; it is far easier to develop your knowledge without becoming confused and overwhelmed.
Consider just a few of the components:
Joints are sites where two or more bones meet. The function of joints is to join bones together, and to allow for movement. There are several different types of joints, and these can be categorised by their structure or their function. There are three different types of joint structure – fibrous joints are joined by fibrous connective tissue with no joint cavity, cartilagenous joints are connected by cartilage with no joint cavity, and synovial joints are when there is a joint cavity and the joint is surrounded by an articular capsule. There are three different functional types of joints – synarthrosis joints are immoveable, amphiarthrosis joints are slightly moveable, and diarthrosis joints are freely moveable.
Kidneys are part of the urinary system, the kidneys are a reddish bean shaped organ that comes in a pair. The kidneys are approximately 10cm long, 7.5cm wide, and 2.5cm thick. The kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood, eliminating wastes, and maintaining the volume and composition of the blood. They also play a role in regulating blood pressure and metabolism.
Otherwise known as the voice box, the larynx is a cartilaginous organ that connects the pharynx to the trachea. The larynx is a short passageway that runs down the middle of the neck, anterior to the vertebrae, from the fourth to the sixth vertebra. The framework of the larynx consists of nine pieces of cartilage, held together by membranes and ligaments. Its functions are to provide an open airway, and to route air and food to the appropriate channels. Its other function is in voice production, as it houses the vocal cords
Lungs are a pair of organs of the respiratory system that are located within the thoracic cavity. The lungs are surrounded by two layers of membrane called pleura. The outer layer is attached to the thoracic cavity, and the inner layer is attached to the lungs. Between each layer is a lubricating fluid which allows the lungs to expand and contract during respiration. Air is inhaled into the lungs through the trachea and bronchi into air sacs called alveoli. From the alveoli oxygen from the air is transported into the blood. Carbon dioxide is transferred from the blood to the alveoli, and then exhaled.
This consists of lymph fluid flowing within lymphatic vessels, structures and organs containing lymphatic tissue, and bone marrow (the site of lymphocyte production). The lymphatic system functions to drain excess interstitial fluid, transporting dietary fats from the gastro-intestinal tract to the blood, and carrying out immune responses in protection against invasion.
There are several different types of bone. A typical bone is made up of a shaft and two ends (known as extremities). The outer shell of a typical bone is known as compact bone. This layer is hard and covers most of the surface of the bone. The two extremities consist of spongy bone. This is made up of plates that form a porous network.
The spaces within this network are usually filled with bone marrow which is a soft, fatty substance. Inside the shaft is the medullary cavity which is a hollow that is filled with bone marrow. Some bone ends are involved in joint movement. Where this occurs the extremity is covered with a thin layer of smooth cartilage. This cartilage is called the articular cartilage and its job is to provide a friction-free surface to aid movement.
Around the entire surface of the bone (except where there is articular cartilage) is a thin, fibrous membrane called the periosteum. Bone-forming cells are located here and are responsible for laying down bone to increase the width of long bones. It also lays down bone in response to healing at places where fractures have occurred.
Between the shaft and extremity is a disc of cartilage called the epiphysial cartilage.
Osteoblasts (bone forming cells) are located in this disc and lay down bone which makes the bone longer. This disc is only active in the human until mature size is reached. After this, the disc ossifies. In humans this happens in the late teens or early twenties.
About one third of the weight of bone consists of fibrous tissues and cells which make a framework. Two thirds consists of the inorganic salts which are deposited within the framework to make bone tissue hard. These salts are chiefly calcium and phosphorus (in fact, calcium phosphate accounts for some 80% of salts deposited in bone). Other salts include calcium carbonate and magnesium phosphate.
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