Biological change and the social nature of the human
A human is a biological and social being. Biologically the structure of the body and physiology are set by an inherited programme – DNA in chromosomes; socially a person is shaped by upbringing, language, education, work and society: manners, morality, knowledge, a trade and culture are not inherited, each person learns them. Human similarity to animals is in structure: like mammals, a human develops from an egg cell, has the same organ systems, and early in development shows features typical of all chordates (notochord, neural tube). Comparative anatomy, embryology, genetics and molecular biology show that humans and chimpanzees are very close relatives; they share a common ancestor, humans did not “descend from monkeys”. Features specific to humans: upright walking, a highly developed cerebral cortex, thinking and speech, making tools, passing culture to generations, and a long childhood. Course review: body systems are linked by nerves and hormones, and health depends on hygiene, activity, food, sleep, vaccination, safety and knowledge. If there is illness or injury, tell adults, see a doctor, and in an emergency call 103.
Course map: for each of 11 systems (locomotor, blood, respiratory, digestive, excretory, nervous, endocrine, sense, reproductive, skin, immune) write 1 health habit. Pick the 3 most important and discuss with your family.