2025-2026 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Jul 03, 2025  
2025-2026 Pierce College Catalog
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BIOL& 242 Human A & P 2 (5 credits)



Distribution Area Fulfilled Natural Sciences with Lab; General Transfer Elective
Prerequisite Completion of BIOL& 241 with 2.0 or better; or instructor permission.

Course Description
This is the second course of a two-quarter study of human anatomy and physiology. Topics covered include the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. For pre-nursing and allied health majors. In-person lab required.

Course Content
LECTURE 
A. Components of the endocrine system, including roles of specific hormones in communication, regulation, integration, and homeostatic control 
B. Components of the cardiovascular system and their roles in transport, hemodynamics, and blood pressure, along with basic electrophysiology of the heart 
C. Components of the lymphatic system and their roles in fluid dynamics and immunity 
D. Components of the respiratory system and their roles in pulmonary ventilation and in the processes of external and internal respiration and contribution to maintenance of blood chemistry 
E. Components of the digestive system and their roles in ingestion, mastication, propulsion, mixing, secretion, digestion, absorption, transportation, elimination, regulation, and nutrition 
F. Steps of energy production pathways and the roles of the four macronutrients 
G. Components of the urinary system and their roles in urine production, maintenance of blood chemistry, and regulation of blood pressure; emphasis on nephron anatomy and physiology 
H. Homeostatic mechanisms that control fluid/electrolyte and acid/base balance in the body’s fluids 
I. Components of the reproductive systems and their roles in reproduction and inheritance 
J. Overview of prenatal development 
K. Applications to healthcare settings 
 
LABORATORY 
L. Gross and microscopic anatomy of the endocrine system, including the major endocrine organs, with emphasis on control relationships between organs 
M. Gross and microscopic cardiac structures, including blood flow and electrical pathways 
N. Components of blood and various means of examination 
O. Mechanics of blood typing and distributions in populations 
P. Blood pressure and its functional interrelationships with pulse pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, peripheral resistance, and hemodynamics 
Q. Spirometry and lung function  
R. Mechanisms of gas exchange in the lungs and tissues, and gas transport in the blood 
S. Gross and microscopic anatomy of the GI tract and the accessory organs of digestion, including the mesenteries 
T. Chemistry of macronutrient digestion 
U. Gross and microscopic anatomy of the urinary tract, including detailed histology of the nephron and its juxtaglomerular apparatus 
V. Urine analysis  
W. Interactions of various systems (CV, urinary, respiratory, digestive) in managing the balance of blood pressure, fluid volume, and pH 
X. Gross and microscopic examination of reproductive anatomy  
Y. Prenatal processes including meiosis, fertilization, and human development

Student Outcomes
LECTURE OUTCOMES 

  1. Describe the gross and microscopic structures of designated components of the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune and respiratory digestive, urinary and reproductive systems 

  1. Detail normal homeostatic functions specific to the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune and respiratory digestive, urinary and reproductive systems 

  1. Resolve challenges to homeostatic balance specific to the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune and respiratory digestive, urinary and reproductive systems 

  1. Describe features of reproduction, inheritance, and prenatal development 

LABORATORY OUTCOMES 

  1. Demonstrate designated gross and microscopic structure of the endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems, using preserved specimens, prepared slides, models, tissue and cell samples and microscopy  

  1. Apply protocols for designated tests related to blood composition, blood pressures, heart electrophysiology and lung functions, digestive and urinary processes 

  1. Demonstrate designated routes of blood circulation, lymphatic flow, respiratory gas movement, digestive movement, and urinary filtration 



Degree Outcomes
Critical, Creative, and Reflective Thinking: Graduates will evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and generate ideas; construct informed, meaningful, and justifiable conclusions; and process feelings, beliefs, biases, strengths, and weaknesses as they relate to their thinking, decisions, and creations.

Natural Sciences: Graduates use the scientific method to analyze natural phenomena and acquire skills to evaluate authenticity of data/information relative to the natural world.

Lecture Contact Hours 30
Lab Contact Hours 40
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 70

Potential Methods
Conceptual assessment: Multiple choice, true/false, matching. short answer, fill-in-the-blank, essay, diagram labeling
Case studies and applied case scenarios: Assess physiology questions presented through case studies and case scenarios and apply understanding of each system to address these questions.
Instructor Observation: Instructor visually assesses either informally or formally (with a checklist) whether the student has successfully achieved the desirable outcome
Lab exercises and reports: Presentation of laboratory experiment results in a brief written form including laboratory objectives and conclusion
Organ/structure identification using physical models, dissection of specimens, images, in-class computer-based organisms and learning tools
Lab practical exam: Use of student demonstration of techniques and student knowledge of anatomical structures, physiological processes, scientific equipment, and laboratory materials as a means of assessment
Individual and group project: Presentation of subject concepts through verbal explanation from students either as individuals or as groups
Group presentation/report: Examination of subject concepts or questions through a formalized group activity requiring active participation of all group members
Computer assisted activities (EKG, spirometry)



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