Free Course Image Anatomy and Physiology

Free online courseAnatomy and Physiology

Duration of the online course: 15 hours and 19 minutes

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Master how the human body works with a free online course in anatomy & physiology—short lessons, practice questions, and certificate-ready skills.

In this free course, learn about

  • Distinguish gross anatomy vs microscopic anatomy; core anatomical terminology
  • Explain key chemistry concepts for A&P, including synthesis reactions
  • Describe plasma membrane structure and functions (transport, signaling, protection)
  • Identify tissue types, especially muscle tissues; cardiac muscle and intercalated discs
  • Explain skin layers and functions; role of the stratum corneum in barrier protection
  • Classify bone types (e.g., short bones) and relate structure to function
  • Compare joint types; synovial joints and why they allow greatest range of motion
  • Understand muscle actions and coordination, including antagonist roles in movement
  • Describe nervous system organization; CNS role in integrating sensory input and motor output
  • Explain CSF production (choroid plexus) and basic sensory receptor types (thermoreceptors)
  • Differentiate autonomic divisions; parasympathetic control of rest-and-digest functions
  • Describe cell communication; local signaling such as paracrine mechanisms
  • Summarize blood and cardiovascular basics: RBC function, heart valves, capillary exchange
  • Explain lymphatic fluid balance, plus respiratory and GI system functions (gas exchange, absorption)

Course Description

Build a clear, practical understanding of how the human body is structured and how it functions, from the microscopic level of cells to the coordinated work of major organ systems. This free online course in anatomy and physiology connects terminology with real biological purpose, helping you read health-related information with confidence, speak the language used in clinical and academic settings, and develop a foundation for further study in health sciences.

You will strengthen core scientific thinking by linking anatomy to physiology: what a structure is, where it is found, and why it behaves the way it does. Along the way, you will revisit essential concepts such as cellular organization, membranes and transport, basic chemistry in living systems, and the way tissues form the building blocks of organs. The course then expands into integrated body systems, showing how movement, sensation, and regulation depend on coordinated mechanisms rather than isolated facts.

As you progress, you will explore key physiological themes such as muscle contraction and control, skin as a protective and regulatory barrier, bone types and joint function, and the nervous system’s role in processing sensory input and directing responses. You will also connect communication within the body to bigger regulatory pathways, including endocrine signaling and the autonomic nervous system, emphasizing how balance is maintained through feedback and control. Each segment is designed to turn complex ideas into a coherent mental model you can apply to new scenarios.

The course also highlights transport and exchange systems that keep tissues supplied and stable. You will relate blood components to oxygen delivery, examine how the heart and vessels ensure one-way flow and efficient distribution, and see why capillary exchange matters for nutrient delivery and waste removal. From there, you will connect immune support and fluid balance to the lymphatic system, and trace how respiration and digestion contribute to homeostasis through gas exchange and nutrient absorption.

To reinforce learning, practice questions follow key lessons so you can check comprehension and improve recall under exam-style conditions. Whether you are preparing for a health program, returning to study after time away, or simply want a structured way to understand your body, this course offers an accessible path to stronger fundamentals and a more confident grasp of physiology.

Course content

  • Video class: Chapter 1 Recorded Lecture

    41m

  • Exercise: Which of the following statements is true about the differences between gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy?

  • Video class: Chapter 2 Recorded Lecture

    1h00m

  • Exercise: Which of the following best describes a synthesis reaction?

  • Video class: Chapter 3 Recorded Lecture

    45m

  • Exercise: Which of the following statements correctly describes a function of the plasma membrane?

  • Video class: Chapter 4 Recorded Lecture

    28m

  • Exercise: Which type of muscle tissue is characterized by the presence of intercalated discs and is involved in involuntary control?

  • Video class: Chapter 5 Recorded Lecture

    31m

  • Exercise: What is the primary function of the stratum corneum layer of the skin?

  • Video class: Chapter 6 Recorded Lecture

    42m

  • Exercise: Which of the following bone types are characterized by being small, boxy, and found in areas such as the wrist and ankle?

  • Video class: Chapter 9 Recorded Lecture

    23m

  • Exercise: What type of joint allows for the greatest range of motion and is characterized by the presence of a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid?

  • Video class: Chapter 10 Recorded Lecture

    37m

  • Exercise: Which of the following muscle tissues is correctly paired with its characteristic feature?

  • Video class: Chapter 11 Recorded Lecture

    12m

  • Exercise: In the context of the human muscular system, what is the primary role of the antagonist muscle during movement?

  • Video class: Chapter 12 Recorded Lecture

    36m

  • Exercise: Which component of the nervous system is primarily responsible for interpreting sensory input and dictating motor responses?

  • Video class: Chapter 13 Recorded Lecture

    39m

  • Exercise: Which of the following structures is responsible for producing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

  • Video class: CHAPTER 14 Recorded Lecture

    53m

  • Exercise: Which type of sensory receptor is primarily responsible for detecting changes in temperature, but not extreme temperatures that could cause pain?

  • Video class: Chapter 15 Recorded Lecture

    13m

  • Exercise: Which division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily involved in stimulating the body's rest-and-digest activities?

  • Video class: Chapter 17 Recorded Lecture

    31m

  • Exercise: Which of the following cellular communication mechanisms is primarily limited to affecting local areas where concentrations of specific factors are relatively high?

  • Video class: Chapter 18 Recorded Lecture

    43m

  • Exercise: Which of the following best describes the function of erythrocytes (red blood cells)?

  • Video class: Chapter 19 Recorded Lecture

    45m

  • Exercise: Which heart structure is primarily responsible for preventing the backflow of blood from ventricles into the atria during ventricular contraction?

  • Video class: Chapter 20 Recorded Lecture

    45m

  • Exercise: Which type of blood vessel is primarily involved in the exchange of nutrients and waste between the blood and tissues?

  • Video class: Chapter 21 Recorded Lecture

    1h01m

  • Exercise: What is the primary role of the lymphatic system in relation to body fluids?

  • Video class: Chapter 22 Recorded Lecture

    44m

  • Exercise: Which of the following functions is NOT associated with the respiratory system?

  • Video class: Chapter 23 Recorded Lecture

    40m

  • Exercise: Which portion of the gastrointestinal tract is primarily responsible for nutrient absorption?

This free course includes:

15 hours and 19 minutes of online video course

Digital certificate of course completion (Free)

Exercises to train your knowledge

100% free, from content to certificate

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Course comments: Anatomy and Physiology

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Brandon Zane Harmon

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