1. Anatomy as well as physiology have several subspecialties. Can you identify these subspecialties and explain what they specifically study?
The study of anatomy has areas of specialization, so too with physiology. Embryology is the study of changes after fertilization to eight weeks of development. Developmental biology is somehow related to embryology as it studies the progress of cells into complex living organisms until death. Cell biology, also knows as cytology, examines the structural features of cells and its functions. The last 3 subspecialties are: Gross, Systemic, and Surface Anatomy. Gross, meaning large, is a subspecialty of anatomy that deals with the structures that can be seen in the naked eye or without a microscope. Systemic anatomy is the study of body by system (e.g., nervous system, endocrine system) while surface anatomy, also called superficial and visual anatomy, involves the study of external structures to visualize internal structures without the need for dissection. On the other hand, some subspecialties of physiology include: 1) Neurophysiology which is the study of functional properties of nerve cells (neurons), 2) Endocrinology studies hormones and how they control the body functions, 3) Cardiovascular physiology involves the functions of heart and blood vessels, 4) Immunology focuses in the immune system and how it defends the body against pathogens, 5) Renal physiology studies the functions of kidneys (e.g., how it filters blood), and 6) Pathophysiology is the study of how diseases and aging cause abnormal changes in the body functions.
2. Can you give your own example on how a structure of a body part is related to its function?
Neuron or nerve cell consists of dendrite, cell body and axon. Its main function is to receive and transmit signals to the other parts of the body. Dendrites are usually short and branched which increases their surface area in receiving signals from other neurons. Axon is a tail-like structure which can be a meter long. It is surrounded by myelin sheath which helps the neuron conduct electrical signals. Cell body, also known as soma, contains the nucleus and other organelles which help in maintaining the neuron’s structure and provides energy for cellular functions.
REFERENCES:
- Vandergriendt, C., & Zimlich, R. (2022, February 28). An Easy Guide to Neuron Diagrams and Types. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/neurons#anatomy
- Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2014). Principles of anatomy and physiology. Wiley.
- Betts, J. G., et. al (2017). Anatomy & Physiology. OpenStax College, Rice University.