A&P if you've never taken chemistry

Cllaws889, BSN · Nov 27, 2012

I cannot begin to explain to you how important it is for you to have a microbiology, chemistry and physics base in order to understand and grasp fully what is going on in the body for the physiology portion of your coursework. There are so many things going on in the body that depend on these foundations. It's like building a house, if your missing a corner of the foundation chances are the house is going to tumble at some point, or your going to be spending a lot of resources to repair what was already missing. I would strongly and I mean STRONGLY advise you in taking at least some sort of micro and chem course. Physiology will make you appreciate your trials and tribulations when you get that A and understand what is going on perfectly. Not to mention physiology is crucial in knowing patho, you gotta know how something runs without issues to understand how to correct pathological issues people experience in a clinical setting am I right?

SakuraChan · Nov 27, 2012

I'm currently on my first semester of A&P and seriously...at least for me...knowing Biology and Chemistry did not make a difference to me. Perhaps because of the basic stuff that we re-learned was just review...?

Honestly, I think it depends on the person, but to me, it made no difference whatsover. Hopefully the professor you get will teach you what you need to learn Biology/Chemistry background wise, which is what mine did. She even did a raise of hands of how many people took Biology/Chem before A&P and almost 2/3 of the class failed to raise their hand....lol, and not a lot of people have dropped the course, we're all pretty much Pre-Med/Nursing students, haha.

Good luck!!!

PS-I'm taking Chemistry next semester and THEN taking Microbiology next fall...I'm sure it'll be fine. (:

tokebi · Nov 27, 2012

I think it really depends on what you want to get out of your A&P class, and how much in-depth you'd like to learn.

Anatomy is mostly memorization. Physiology, on the other hand, is not quite.

On one hand, I want to say it's impossible to understand physiology without chemistry and physics. For example, why does too much CO2 lead to acidosis? How do water, sugar and electrolytes filter in/out of kidney tubules? Hoes does hemoglobin pick up oxygen in alveoli but drop them off in peripheral tissues? Why does blood flow through the chambers of the heart the way it does? Why does electrolyte imbalance affect cardiac/muscular conduction? etc etc... Good foundation in chemistry and some physics will truly enhance the learning experience of physiology class.

On the other hand, realistically-speaking, in-depth understanding of physiology may not be necessary for a day-to-day job of a floor nurse. You can get by and still be competent by paying attention and memorizing even if you don't quite understand the "why." There are crucial concepts you must know here and there, so you might encounter some difficulties. But you can look up those concepts as needed. Just be willing to ask for help and clarification.

As far as lab techniques, no you don't need to have prior knowledge. Every single labs I had, we always went over the equipment and techniques in the beginning.

Saysfaa · Nov 27, 2012

You don't need chem or biology for the anatomy. They are a tiny bit helpful in a few places and quite helpful in the sexual reproduction section (miosis/mitosis) but certainly not essential.

If your school doesn't require chem or biology as a prereq then they will teach the physiology differently than if they did require it. That is much of the reason that some people say it is very important and others say doesn't make a significant difference.

I agree with the others that it won't matter whether or not you have previous lab experience.

zoe92 · Nov 27, 2012

At my school, it's required to have bio 101 as a pre req to A & P. Chemistry is recommended but not required. I had taken chemistry & it was helpful since the first exam in A & P was a review of the "chemistry" happening within your body. I was happy I had taken bio foundations & intro chem, so I would recommend at least one of those classes.

xxkmpxx · Nov 28, 2012

I took all my biology classes before chemistry (anatomy 1&2, and micro). There was not any chemistry in it for me at all and I did perfectly fine.

hodgieRN · Nov 28, 2012

The first exam might cover basic cell structure or simple compounds but, after that, it starts going into major body systems. However, as someone previously posted, there are areas that do involve physiological reactions or electrolyte-based reactions. It can be argued both ways, but chem isn't going to place you far ahead of anyone else. I don't remember chem giving me a leg up in A&P, other than maybe the first exam of the semester (not much though). I think bio would be a better course in terms of prepping verses chem. As you move into nursing, chem will definitely start playing a bigger role.

nguyency77, CNA · Nov 29, 2012

You don't need chem or biology for the anatomy. They are a tiny bit helpful in a few places and quite helpful in the sexual reproduction section (miosis/mitosis) but certainly not essential.
If your school doesn't require chem or biology as a prereq then they will teach the physiology differently than if they did require it. That is much of the reason that some people say it is very important and others say doesn't make a significant difference.
I agree with the others that it won't matter whether or not you have previous lab experience.

My requirements for nursing school included both introductory biology and chemistry. Our A&P courses are taught under the assumption that the class already knew the basics. But yes, I would agree that if your program does not require it the A&P would be taught as though no one in the class had ever taken chemistry or biology.