Anatomy & Physiology 1

gere7404, BSN, RN · Feb 29, 2016

A&P1 starts off with structures (atomic level>cells>tissues>organs>organ systems>organism), and a lot of histology so there will be a lot of recognizing what everything looks like. General information like anatomical position is discussed, the three biggest systems we covered was the integumentary system, skeletal system, and muscles. I took it at a school where the RN and LPN programs did different A&Ps (3 quarter for the RN program, two for the LPN), so your mileage my vary.

Zyprexa_Ho · Mar 1, 2016

It's just a lot of memorizing.

angelicGrace · Mar 1, 2016

Yes there is a lot of memorizing but I've found route memorization doesn't last very long.

The best tip our professor gave us in A&P 1 was to learn to make connections. Nothing in the body is truly independent or self-operating. All body systems, structures and functions are reliant on something else. Bonus learning to think this way builds critical thinking skills for later in your working life.

She calls it concept mapping, I've heard it called connection mapping but either way it's probably to most effective way to learn the subject matter that I've ever tried.

Example: you'll the the integumentary system:

1. What tissues make it up?

Then consider where else those tissues are. For instance the skin is layers of keratinized simple squamous epithelium. Simple squamous epithelium also lines the inside of the air sacks of the lungs only its moist (or non-keratinized) there.

2. What is its function? Then follow that up with how are those functions achieved and what other structures do the same or what other functions work in conjunction with this system.

3. Connect as many body systems together as possible. For instance the dermis layer is richly vascular so the cardiovascular system has an easy tie-in. Continuing on that thought, vessels carry blood, which is a connective tissue, so you have a tissue type connection, but blood also carries things like hormones like testosterone that can cause skin changes. So now you have a connection to the endocrine system.

Take everything you can thing of and start making whatever connections you can think of.

If your professor has you learn key words or terms, pick 6 random ones from each chapter a day define them, then start wrong everything you can remember about that term. Once you've done that start looking for ways to connect each term.

It's a really interesting way to learn and you'll find that you will get more and more detailed the more you do it.

BBboy · Mar 2, 2016

I'm finishing up pathophysiology right now and I do not think you need concept mapping for the A&P series because you simply won't be tested at that level until you're in nursing school. The A&P series is really just designed to see how much you can retain, otherwise why would everyone say memorize the info. Just be sure to go over uiur notes daily so that you're not just memorizing one day then losing it the next. Being able to teach the information will ensure that you really understood it

angelicGrace · Mar 2, 2016

Being able to teach the information is the whole basis for concept mapping. After all no one teaches without knowing the connections and those connections don't come through route memorization. If that was the case we wouldn't teach same children to use association to learn at the very earliest ages. Ex: a is for Apple. We learn by linking together what we do know to what is are learning.

BBboy · Mar 2, 2016

Just had to delete a whole big reply. In short, our definition of concept mapping is most likely different. As im finishing up patho my understanding is that we implement the ADPIE process and symptoms, manifestations, etc etc. yes everything is connected to one another in the body but that level of mapping out isn't needed at this stage of the ball game for OP. They are only taking A&P1. They won't need to think globallyyet because they won't be tested like that until they are in nursing school. If you understand a concept you understand it that's all they really need to understand. practicals there are never going to be any surprises just identify this or that. Testing? Basic questions seeing whether or not you actually retained the info. how my professor taught me to study A&P I have applied to all my other classes, heck I use it stilll now in nursing school and grades definitely show. Sometimes doing more isn't always the best option, for others it may be. If they are the typical student taking the typical A&P class I would just keep it very condensed for them

even shorter, OP you won't be asked if this system fails what happens to this system then (something that concept mapping will help dearly with). Instead you'll be asked what is this structure? What does this mean? Those style of questions are why I stress to focus on learning the material more so than trying to connect everything. Mentally you can do that cool, but right now forc that class that isn't the most important thing

angelicGrace · Mar 2, 2016

You might be right about thinking of two different things. Here are two examples of how we do them. One is just a connection of terms. The other other one is one term and all the connections based on that word.

WCSU1987 · Mar 2, 2016

Everyone I know recommends taking Kyle Zander if close to Bridgeport for Summer A&P you show up do the work you pass is what they say

ljaquez · Mar 3, 2016

I got a coloring book from Amazon to help me study. I would just color in detail and say the area out loud and what it's function is.

KellyVT · Mar 3, 2016

A good base in Biology will help immensely. If you can pick up a biology text or AP Cliff notes version (yes, the high school level AP actually goes more in depth than college level bio). Skip all of the evolutionary and plant stuff, but essentially the first 3 chapters for my A and P were a biology review. The rest is brushed upon in bio and you will keep going back to that foundation (example, we just finished Ch 6 bones and skeletal tissue, I learned about osteoclasts and it lent back to what I already learned about cells when I CLEPed out of biology, along with many other things like muscle function, enzymes, action potentials etc).