Human physiology examines the structure and function of the human body from the organism to the cellular and molecular level. We focus on the nervous, skeletal, muscular, and endocrine systems in Human Physiology 1 and the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, and either reproductive or immune system in Human Physiology 2. In Human Physiology we examine advanced biology topics including cellular respiration, nerve transduction, and feedback mechanisms. Students may take one or two trimesters and they do not need to be taken sequentially.
The structure of molecules, cells, tissues, and organs impacts their function.
Life is dependent on the interconnection of body systems to grow, reproduce and maintain homeostasis.
Living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes.
Body systems work together to provide a constant stream of energy and nutrients to every cell.
The proper functioning of human body systems affect individuals and society.
Major Texts:
POGIL for AP Biology
Biology by Campbell and Reece
Essential Questions:
How can we study our brains?
How do our brains control our bodies, memory, and personality?
What is addiction?
Major Concepts:
Sensation and perception
Neuron structure and function
Addiction
Major Content:
Structure of the brain
Structure and function of neurons
Neuronal circuits
Changes to neurons with drug use
Unit Assessments:
Models of neurons and nerve transduction, unit test
Essential Questions:
How does the structure of our bones match their function?
Major Concepts:
Bones are widely varied in shape, and their shapes support a wide variety of structures.
Major Content:
Types of bones
Bone development
Articulations, holes, and projections of bones
Unit Assessments:
Presentation of structures and functions of an assigned bone
Essential Questions:
How do we get stronger?
Major Concepts:
Structure of muscles and muscle contractions
Neuromuscular connections
Major Content:
Sliding filament hypothesis of muscle contraction
ADP / ATP Cycle
Actin, myosin, tropomiosin, troponin
Neuromuscular junctions
Rhabdomyolysis
Unit Assessments:
Reflection on case study on Rhabdomyolysis
Unit test
Essential Questions:
How do our bodies get rid of wastes?
Major Concepts:
Diffusion
Active transport
The excretory system
Major Content:
Structure and function of a nephron
Kidney dialysis
Unit Assessments:
Project - students design a dialysate solution to save a model patient in kidney failure
Essential Questions:
How do we gather, store, and use nutrients?
Major Concepts:
Structure and function in the digestive system and of biomolecules
Cellular respiration
Major Content:
Synthesis and hydrolysis of biomolecules
Structure and function of digestive organs
Characterization of enzyme activity
Glycolysis, the TCA cycle and the electron transport chain
Unit Assessments:
Experiment characterizing the enzyme amylase
Unit test
Essential Questions:
How do we get necessary materials to all of our cells?
What parts of the system can go wrong?
Major Concepts:
The circulatory system is our body's transport network.
Diffusion is essential to the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Major Content:
Major arteries and veins of the body
Structure and function of the heart
Structure and function of the lungs
Cardiovascular disease
Unit Assessments:
Building a dynamic model of the circulatory system
Experiment and lab report on heart rate or blood pressure
Essential Questions:
How do our cells and proteins keep us healthy?
Major Concepts:
Feedbacks and diversity of immune cells
Major Content:
Cells of the innate and acquired immune system
Cell communication
Unit Assessments:
Unit test
Essential Questions:
How do our bodies regulate reproduction and reproductive cycles?
Major Concepts:
Reproductive systems use feedback mechanisms to maintain hormonal balances.
Pregnancy is maintained through closely regulated cell division.
Major Content:
Structure and function of reproductive organs
Feedback mechanisms to maintain sperm levels
Feedbacks and hormonal signaling in the menstrual cycle
Human development and cell differentiation
Unit Assessments:
Research and pamphlet on reproductive health issue of student's choice
Unit test