This learning guide is for part I of the two-semester human anatomy and physiology courses that support students pursuing programs in a medical or paramedical career, or a degree in physical education. It is cloud-based, interactive, independent of a textbook, and aligned with national standards, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) learning outcomes, to be perennial and widely adaptable.

There are nine learning modules in the learning guide. Each module is divided into topics aligned with the HAPS learning outcomes. Here is a brief introduction of the components found under each topic.

A Short Lecture: These are written by experienced undergraduate Anatomy and Physiology instructors to give you a brief overview of what you might expect to learn from your Anatomy and Physiology course.

A Concept Map: To visualize relationships and help students dig into ideas and organize their thoughts.

Key Points: A very quick overview of important concepts for the section.

Muddiest Points: Points that have caused confusion for students.

Interactive Exercises: These exercises can help students check their learning.

Students can use the learning guide as the following:

An overview before starting a topic in an Anatomy and Physiology Course
A guide to correct anatomical terminology that underlies the concepts of the course work
A place to review confusing concepts in regular course work
A place to find extra resources for study of concepts that are either understood or are still murky.

The development of this human anatomy and physiology learning guide is made possible with the support of the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) Open Course Grants. It is created by a group of experienced faculty members at Northern Virginia Community College and reviewed by several members of the Human Anatomy and Physiology faculty at George Mason University.

Anatomy and Physiology is a dynamic textbook for the two-semester human anatomy and physiology course for life science and allied health majors. The book is organized by body system and covers standard scope and sequence requirements. Its lucid text, strategically constructed art, career features, and links to external learning tools address the critical teaching and learning challenges in the course. The web-based version of Anatomy and Physiology also features links to surgical videos, histology, and interactive diagrams.

This set of anatomy videos illustrating parts of the human body was created under a Round Eleven Mini-Grant for Ancillary Materials Creation.

Topics include:

Axial Skeleton
Appendicular Skeleton
Muscles
Nervous System
Anatomy of the Senses

Biology is designed for multi-semester biology courses for science majors. It is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand. To meet the needs of today’s instructors and students, some content has been strategically condensed while maintaining the overall scope and coverage of traditional texts for this course. Instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand—and apply—key concepts.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the basis of the resting membrane potentialExplain the stages of an action potential and how action potentials are propagatedExplain the similarities and differences between chemical and electrical synapsesDescribe long-term potentiation and long-term depression

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the symptoms, potential causes, and treatment of several examples of nervous system disorders

By the end of this section, you will be able to:List and describe the functions of the structural components of a neuronList and describe the four main types of neuronsCompare the functions of different types of glial cells

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Identify the spinal cord, cerebral lobes, and other brain areas on a diagram of the brainDescribe the basic functions of the spinal cord, cerebral lobes, and other brain areas

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the organization and functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systemsDescribe the organization and function of the sensory-somatic nervous system

Biology is designed for multi-semester biology courses for science majors. It is grounded on an evolutionary basis and includes exciting features that highlight careers in the biological sciences and everyday applications of the concepts at hand. To meet the needs of today’s instructors and students, some content has been strategically condensed while maintaining the overall scope and coverage of traditional texts for this course. Instructors can customize the book, adapting it to the approach that works best in their classroom. Biology also includes an innovative art program that incorporates critical thinking and clicker questions to help students understand—and apply—key concepts.

This textbook has been created with several goals in mind: accessibility, customization, and student engagement—all while encouraging students toward high levels of academic scholarship. Students will find that this textbook offers a strong introduction to human biology in an accessible format.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Biology and the Scientific Method
Chapter 2: Chemistry and Life
Chapter 3: Cells
Chapter 4: DNA and Gene Expression
Chapter 5: Digestive System
Chapter 6: Energy Considerations
Chapter 7: Blood
Chapter 8: Heart
Chapter 9: Blood Vessels
Chapter 10: Respiratory System
Chapter 11: Hormones
Chapter 12: Urinary System
Chapter 13: Mitosis and Meiosis
Chapter 14: Reproductive Systems
Chapter 15: Skeletal System
Chapter 16: Muscles and Movement
Chapter 17: Nervous System
Chapter 18: Special Senses
Chapter 19: Immune System

Psychology is designed to meet scope and sequence requirements for the single-semester introduction to psychology course. The book offers a comprehensive treatment of core concepts, grounded in both classic studies and current and emerging research. The text also includes coverage of the DSM-5 in examinations of psychological disorders. Psychology incorporates discussions that reflect the diversity within the discipline, as well as the diversity of cultures and communities across the globe.Senior Contributing AuthorsRose M. Spielman, Formerly of Quinnipiac UniversityContributing AuthorsKathryn Dumper, Bainbridge State CollegeWilliam Jenkins, Mercer UniversityArlene Lacombe, Saint Joseph's UniversityMarilyn Lovett, Livingstone CollegeMarion Perlmutter, University of Michigan