What Drives the Body?
Discover the crucial components and systems in the human body that keep us alive and healthy.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
4 hours
What Drives the Body?
Explore how different parts of the body communicate with each other
The way in which parts of the body communicate with each other is vital to keeping us healthy. But how does our internal communication work – and how do these individual components produce energy?
On this course, from the University of Aberdeen, you’ll learn how the human body utilises energy pathways, and how different elements communicate effectively. You’ll find out about the biomolecules involved in communication, and the role of endocrinology and immunology.
You’ll discover how the body works and regulates itself, and also improve your knowledge of disease development and prevention.
What topics will you cover?
- How does the body produce energy?
- Why is communication important in the body?
- The key communication pathways used by the body
- Biomolecules used in communication
- How the body regulates itself
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explain the importance of communication between different components of the body
- Describe the role of endocrinology and immunology within the body
- Classify and describe the key molecules involved in endocrinological and immunological processes
- Describe the importance of homeostasis and synthesise examples of when and how this process is used in the body
- Describe the key pathways involved in energy production
Who is the course for?
This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in how the human body regulates and communicates with itself.
Existing knowledge of components of the body is not essential but some prior knowledge of biology might be helpful.
Who will you learn with?
I am a Research Assistant at the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen. I work alongside researchers in the Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health.
I am a Research Fellow at the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen. I am currently researching genetic factors that influence joint health and arthritis.
Who developed the course?
University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen is the 3rd oldest Scottish and 5th oldest UK University. With 14500 students from 120 countries, it is a world leader in medical research, energy, environment, law and business.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps, but you can complete them as quickly or slowly as you like
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Learner reviews
Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.
Join this course
Free
Join free and you will get:
- Access to this course for 5 weeks
Upgrade
Upgrade this course and you will get:
- Access to this course for as long as it’s on FutureLearn
- Access to this course’s tests as well as a print and digital Certificate of Achievement once you’re eligible
Unlimited
Buy Unlimited and you will get:
- Access to this course, and hundreds of other FutureLearn short courses and tests for a year
- A printable digital Certificate of Achievement on all short courses once you’re eligible
- The freedom to keep access to any course you've achieved a digital Certificate of Achievement on, for as long as the course exists on FutureLearn
- The flexibility to complete your choice of short courses in your own time within the year
Find out more about upgrades or Unlimited.
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
You can use the hashtag #FLwhatdrivesthebody to talk about this course on social media.
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Healthcare & Medicine and Science, Engineering & Maths