Let’s face it – human physiology and anatomy study is far from interesting. It doesn’t help that most human physiology and anatomy study guides are so thick they can make even a bookworm lose interest at first sight. However, it is a must for more than people in the medical profession or those aspiring to be medical professionals. Even injury law attorneys, chiropractors, paramedics, nurses, and science teachers are finding it necessary to have a good understanding of the human body and how it works. Even regular Joes like yourself can benefit form having an intimate knowledge of how your body reacts and responds to the world.
There are several reasons why, even if you’re not a doctor, you need to be interested in human physiology and anatomy study. Understanding how your body works helps you relate to it better. You want to live long and healthy – no question bout that. That’s basically why you read all this fitness and wellness blogs online. You watch a lot of exercise shows on TV, too. You’ve actually even tried going vegan. But certain diets or exercises are not good for everybody. Ever wondered why prescriptions vary across age range or why an ideal weight varies between the sexes and across different age ranges? The human body’s functionality and structure changes from birth to death, between the sexes and sometimes, even across varying cultural backgrounds. You’ll learn all about that in a physiology and anatomy study.
Whatever your reasons maybe, whether you’re gunning for a career in the medical field or not, human physiology and anatomy study is an interesting subject you would do well to take a course in. Thanks to Jim Ross and his ‘Human Anatomy & Physiology Course’, the task is made easy and fun for people like you. You don’t need to be in the medical field to know everything you need to know about your body. You’ll find that with a simple and easy-to-understand approach, you can grasp the intricate processes inside of you without much difficulty.
By: C. S Murphy
Archive for November, 2009
Human Physiology and Anatomy Study
November 30th, 2009How to Study Human Physiology
November 29th, 2009
I have studied and interviewed groups of medical and science students that have excelled in their course work. It is true that there are specific and detailed guidelines that these students adhere to and credit for their academic success. With some time and applying these study skills to your studies you can greatly improve your academic performance. The following are study strategies and tips from past honor students of Human Physiology.
Study Skill #1 – Keep in mind the Big Picture. In fact, it can be summed up in one word . . . Homeostasis. Nearly every function of all the organs in the human body are trying to maintain or return to a healthy, low-stress state of existence. In the broadest of terms, this means that a stimulus sets off a trigger, that causes a response or action from a system. This is much like the way your thermostat is set at 70° F. When the temperature in the room drops below, say 68° , it stimulates the furnace. The action is that it pumps more heat into the room to bring the temperature back to 70°. In the body, there is also a system to counter the “furnace”, and bring the temperature back towards 70° when it exceeds it. So the body’s organ systems are engaging in a push-and-pull war that is constantly working to maintain the body’s vitals at normal levels. Keep this example in mind, and most complicated relationships will fit into this elementary mold.
Study Skill #2 – Memorize a formula, but know the concept. The formulas merely portray a relationship – that is it. Students often get caught up on inserting numbers and magically arriving at the solution. However, many problems will express the answers in fractions or use arbitrary variables. In other words, the student must understand that if “x” goes up, then “y” goes down. Use numbers when your are studying to make sure you get the meaning, but the purpose is to realize that a formula means that many different factors are related to each other in specific ways.
Study Skill #3 – Know the systems purpose. This is most important in hypothetical scenarios, like a trauma event, a favorite for exam questions. Take the kidneys for example, they filter blood, form urine, maintain pH, and secrete hormones. However, their first priority is to maintain blood pressure; and in a hemorrhage state, this will trump all other functions.
Study Skill #4 – Use interactive graphs. The concepts of human physiology are dynamic, that is that they are functioning within a significant time component. Take the heart for example, you may know everything about the pressure-volume loop and the frank-starling law, but if you fail to incorporate time it will be difficult to comprehend the functioning system. Look at the electrical activity for example, the AV node slows down the contraction signal so that the ventricles have time to fill. Keep this in mind when the heart rate or its contraction strength is considered.
Study Skill #5 – Explain the concepts to somebody else. Ideally it would be to a classmate who can question your statements, but it even works with your 5 year old brother. The point is that the concepts of medical physiology often take the shape of circles. Students can understand individual legs of the system, but they have difficulty connecting the dots. By organizing all of your thoughts and translating them into a logical flow of speech, you will solidify your understanding of the human body.
Study Skill #6 – Practice. There are no short-cuts. Physiology is a difficult subject. Use our collection of practice exams and quizzes to test your understanding. These problems will give you hypothetical situations, like hypothermia or hemorrhage, and force you to think about a system’s functions from various points. Remember the study strategies listed in this article and stay persistent.
By: Jordan Castle
The Importance of Foreign Language Study – Why Study a Foreign Language?
November 24th, 2009
With so many people throughout the world able to speak English, it’s easy to understand why some might question the importance of foreign language study for native English speakers. I spent a few years living in Japan and many of my Japanese friends would express jealousy over the fact that I grew up speaking such a “useful language”.
Still, there are many reasons why English speakers should consider studying a foreign language:
1. Your job prospects. The world is becoming increasingly smaller, as the internet allows people to connect from anywhere in the world. Speaking a foreign language can help y ou to get a job with a company that does business outside of English-speaking countries. You may even be given the opportunity to live abroad.
2. It fosters cultural understanding. When you study a foreign language, you don’t just learn the language. You learn about a country’s people, culture, and traditions. Understanding the differences between your own and another’s culture is a great way to foster a more cooperative spirit.
3. You can travel more easily. While it’s true that people of many different countries speak at least basic English, this isn’t always the case. Speaking the language when you visit a foreign country makes for a much better experience. Even if a person does speak English, you’ll find that you get better service and help when you try to speak the native language.
4. You can make new friends. Speaking more than one language means that you are able to interact with a broader range of people. You can use the internet to find “email friends”, connecting with people across the globe. You can also find homestay or cultural exchange programs that allow you to directly experience another culture or share yours with someone different.
5. You’ll exercise your brain. Whether young or old, everyone’s brain needs a good workout now and then. Learning a foreign language can help you work on a variety of different skills-listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This easily increases your brainpower and makes you a smarter person overall.
6. You can learn discipline. Foreign language study often requires a high level of discipline if you want to do it right. You can easily take these skills and transfer them to any number of projects.
By: Stephanie Tekrider
