Anatomy and Physiology II

Course Description

BSC2086C – Anatomy and Physiology II is a 4-credit-hour combined lecture and laboratory course that completes the two-semester sequence begun in BSC2085C. The course covers the structure and function of the endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems, along with fluid/electrolyte/acid-base balance and human development. The "C" lab indicator denotes integrated lecture and laboratory components with extensive hands-on work using anatomical models, microscopy, dissection (where included), and physiology lab equipment (sphygmomanometers, spirometry, EKG, urinalysis).

BSC2086C builds directly on BSC2085C and continues to emphasize the integration of structure and function, with attention to homeostatic regulation, clinical correlations, and the physiological basis of common pathologies. Students develop competencies essential for nursing assessment, allied-health practice, and pre-professional health study.

BSC2086C is a Florida common course offered at approximately 36 Florida institutions and transfers as the equivalent course at all Florida public postsecondary institutions per SCNS articulation policy. Together with BSC2085C, it satisfies the two-semester A&P sequence required by virtually all Florida nursing and allied health programs.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the endocrine system, including major endocrine glands, their hormones, target tissues, mechanisms of action, and feedback regulation.
• Describe the blood, including its composition, formed elements, hematopoiesis, hemostasis, and ABO/Rh blood typing.
• Describe the cardiovascular system, including heart anatomy, the cardiac conduction system, the cardiac cycle, EKG interpretation basics, blood vessel structure, blood pressure regulation, and major arteries and veins.
• Describe the lymphatic system and immunity, including lymphatic anatomy, innate immunity, adaptive immunity (humoral and cell-mediated), antibodies, and immunization.
• Describe the respiratory system, including airway anatomy, pulmonary ventilation, gas exchange, oxygen and carbon dioxide transport, and control of respiration.
• Describe the digestive system, including alimentary canal anatomy and histology, accessory digestive organs, mechanical and chemical digestion, absorption, and basic nutrition principles.
• Describe the urinary system, including kidney anatomy and the nephron, glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption and secretion, urine concentration, and micturition.
• Apply principles of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, including the regulation of body fluids, common electrolyte imbalances, and respiratory and metabolic acidosis/alkalosis.
• Describe the male and female reproductive systems, including anatomy, gametogenesis, hormonal regulation, the female reproductive cycle, and pregnancy.
• Describe human development from fertilization through birth, including embryonic and fetal development and the basics of inheritance.
• Demonstrate laboratory skills, including blood typing, EKG recording, blood pressure measurement, spirometry, urinalysis, and identification of organs and microscopic structures.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply clinical correlations connecting physiology to common diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, asthma, GERD, kidney disease).
• Apply concepts to exercise physiology and athletic performance.
• Examine cellular metabolism in greater depth (glycolysis, citric acid cycle, electron transport chain).
• Examine basic genetics, including Mendelian inheritance and pedigree analysis.
• Use simulation software (e.g., PhysioEx, BIOPAC, Late Nite Labs) for advanced physiology lab exercises.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Endocrine System: Hormone classification and mechanisms of action; hypothalamus and pituitary; thyroid and parathyroid; adrenal glands; pancreatic islets; gonads; pineal gland; thymus; common endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2, thyroid disorders, Addison's, Cushing's).
• Blood: Plasma composition; formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets); hematopoiesis; erythropoiesis and erythropoietin; hemoglobin; hemostasis (vascular spasm, platelet plug, coagulation cascade); ABO and Rh blood typing; transfusion reactions; common blood disorders (anemias, leukemias, hemophilia).
• Cardiovascular System — Heart: Gross anatomy; chambers, valves, and great vessels; coronary circulation; cardiac muscle histology; cardiac conduction system (SA node, AV node, bundle of His, Purkinje fibers); EKG components (P, QRS, T); the cardiac cycle; cardiac output (heart rate × stroke volume); regulation of cardiac function.
• Cardiovascular System — Vessels and Circulation: Arteries, capillaries, veins; tissue layers; capillary exchange; blood pressure determinants and regulation; baroreceptor reflex; major systemic arteries and veins; pulmonary circulation; fetal circulation.
• Lymphatic and Immune Systems: Lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils; innate immunity (skin, mucous membranes, phagocytes, NK cells, complement, fever, inflammation); adaptive immunity (T cells, B cells, antibodies, antigen-presenting cells); humoral vs. cell-mediated immunity; primary and secondary immune responses; vaccination; hypersensitivity and autoimmunity overview.
• Respiratory System: Upper and lower respiratory anatomy; lung structure; respiratory membrane; pulmonary ventilation (inspiration and expiration mechanics); lung volumes and capacities; gas exchange; oxygen and carbon dioxide transport; control of respiration (medullary respiratory centers, chemoreceptors); common respiratory disorders (COPD, asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism).
• Digestive System: Alimentary canal histology; oral cavity; pharynx and esophagus; stomach (regions, gastric secretions, motility); small intestine (regions, absorption, brush border); large intestine; accessory organs (salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas); mechanical and chemical digestion; absorption of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids; regulation of digestive function.
• Nutrition and Metabolism: Macronutrients and micronutrients; basal metabolic rate; energy balance; brief overview of cellular respiration (glycolysis, citric acid cycle, electron transport chain); thermoregulation.
• Urinary System: Kidney anatomy (cortex, medulla, nephron); glomerular filtration and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR); tubular reabsorption and secretion; the loop of Henle and countercurrent mechanism; ADH and the urine-concentrating mechanism; renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; ureters, bladder, urethra; micturition; common urinary disorders (UTI, kidney stones, renal failure).
• Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance: Body fluid compartments; water balance; major electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-) and their balance; acid-base regulation (chemical buffers, respiratory and renal mechanisms); respiratory and metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.
• Male Reproductive System: Testis anatomy and spermatogenesis; accessory glands (seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral); penis and ejaculation; male sex hormones; HPG axis.
• Female Reproductive System: Ovary anatomy and oogenesis; uterine tubes, uterus, vagina; mammary glands; female sex hormones; ovarian and uterine cycles; menstruation and menopause.
• Pregnancy and Human Development: Fertilization; cleavage and implantation; embryonic and fetal development overview; placenta; parturition; lactation; basics of inheritance.

Optional Topics

• Clinical Pathophysiology Case Studies: Application of A&P concepts to common patient scenarios.
• Cellular Respiration in Detail: Glycolysis, citric acid cycle, electron transport chain, ATP yield.
• Genetics: Mendelian inheritance, pedigree analysis, sex-linked traits, common genetic disorders.
• Aging and Body Systems: Age-related changes in covered systems.
• Pharmacology Connections: Major drug classes and their physiological targets (antihypertensives, diuretics, bronchodilators, etc.).

Resources & Tools

• Common Textbooks: Continuation of BSC2085C textbook — Human Anatomy & Physiology (Marieb/Hoehn), Anatomy & Physiology (Saladin), Seeley's Anatomy & Physiology, Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology, or Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (Tortora)
• Open Educational Resources: Anatomy and Physiology by OpenStax (Volume 2 chapters), Lumen Learning
• Online Platforms: Mastering A&P (Pearson), Connect A&P (McGraw-Hill), CengageNOW, APR (Anatomy & Physiology Revealed) — required online homework typically continues from BSC2085C
• Lab Resources: Anatomical models (heart, lungs, kidney, digestive, reproductive); microscopes and prepared slides; sphygmomanometers; stethoscopes; spirometers; EKG equipment (BIOPAC, Vernier); urinalysis supplies; blood typing kits; physiology simulators (PhysioEx, Late Nite Labs)
• Digital Anatomy Tools: Visible Body, Complete Anatomy, BioDigital Human, Practice Anatomy Lab (PAL)
• Reference Resources: Khan Academy Health and Medicine, Crash Course A&P, Armando Hasudungan (YouTube), Ninja Nerd Lectures (YouTube), AnatomyZone

Career Pathways

BSC2086C, completing the A&P sequence, is the immediate gateway course to Florida nursing and allied health programs. The career pathways supported are essentially identical to those for BSC2085C — the two courses together fulfill the prerequisite. Career paths include:

• Registered Nurse (SOC 29-1141) — ADN or BSN pathway; the most common destination for A&P students.
• Licensed Practical Nurse (SOC 29-2061) — PN pathway; some programs also require A&P I.
• Allied Health Professionals — Radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, dental hygienist, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapy assistant, paramedic, sonographer, surgical technologist.
• Pre-Professional Healthcare Pathways — Medical school, dental school, physician assistant, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic.
• Health and Human Performance — Athletic training, exercise physiology, kinesiology.
• Healthcare Education — Nursing faculty, allied health educators (with advanced degrees).

Florida's aging population, growing healthcare infrastructure, and large network of teaching hospitals (Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Cleveland Clinic Florida, AdventHealth, Memorial Healthcare, Jackson Health, Tampa General, etc.) sustain strong demand for healthcare professionals trained on the A&P foundation.

Special Information

General Education and Transfer

BSC2086C is a Florida common course number that transfers as the equivalent course at all Florida public postsecondary institutions per SCNS articulation policy. It typically satisfies natural-science general-education requirements and is the second course in the standard A&P sequence for Florida health-program admissions.

Grade Requirements for Health Program Admissions

Most Florida nursing and allied health programs require a grade of C or higher in BSC2086C and use the A&P GPA as a primary admissions metric. Many competitive programs require both BSC2085C and BSC2086C completed within the previous 5 or 7 years; students returning to study after extended time away should verify recency requirements with target programs.

Course Format and Lab Requirements

Like BSC2085C, BSC2086C is offered in multiple formats. Many Florida nursing programs prefer or require in-person or hybrid (with on-campus lab) delivery, though acceptance of fully online A&P with virtual lab has expanded substantially in recent years. Students intending to apply to nursing or allied health should verify course-format acceptance with target programs before enrolling.

Course Sequence

BSC2086C completes the standard A&P sequence. Students often follow it with MCB2010C (Microbiology) — also commonly required for nursing and allied health admissions. The standard "science prerequisite cluster" for Florida nursing programs typically consists of: BSC2085C + BSC2086C + MCB2010C, sometimes plus chemistry (CHM1025C or CHM1045C) and human nutrition (HUN2202).