The “Expert” Questions for Anatomy & Physiology

In Adam Robinson’s book, What Smart Students Know, he defines “expert” questions as follows: “Each subject raises a unique set of questions about itself that must be asked and answered [emphasis added] systematically if you are to understand it.  I call these the expert questions.”

I have derived a set of expert questions for A&P below.  I’ve separated these into questions dealing with anatomy and another set of questions dealing with physiology, although there may be some overlap at times.  Note that some of the questions will not be appropriate for certain topics so they can be skipped, BUT you should ALWAYS review ALL the questions to be sure.

As you are reading your textbook or notes you should answer these questions, substituting whatever it is you are reading about for the words “this” and “it(s)” in the questions below.  And, most importantly, be sure to ANSWER THE QUESTIONS in order to GUARANTEE yourself an OUTSTANDING GRADE in this course!!!

The Expert Questions for Anatomy

1. What is its structure?
2. What is it composed of?
3. What are its characteristics?
4. Where is this found?
5. How can this be identified and distinguished?
6. What are the different types of this?
7. How is this formed?
8. What makes this different from other similar structures?

The Expert Questions for Physiology

1. What is the definition of this?
2. What is its function in the body?
3. How does it work?
4. Why is it (or its function) important?
5. How is its function regulated?
6. With what other body systems/organs does this interact?  How?
7. How does it grow/develop/mature/die?
8. How is its function measured?
9. How can its functions or values be calculated?
10. What is an example of this and how would this work in this example?
11. Why does it HAVE to work the way it works, i.e., what will happen if it doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to?