A&P

George Huntington Hartford mid 1870s

1888 Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co Advert for Norfolk

A and P newspaper ad 1922

A&P can refer to several different topics, including anatomy and physiology, a short story by John Updike, and a former American supermarket chain. This article will cover each of these topics in detail.

Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology (often abbreviated as A&P) are two closely related branches of biology that study the structure and function of living organisms.

Anatomy

Anatomy is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts. It is a branch of natural science dealing with the structural organization of living things. Anatomy is divided into several branches, including:

• Gross anatomy: The study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye.
• Microscopic anatomy: The study of minute anatomical structures assisted with microscopes, which includes histology (the study of tissues) and cytology (the study of cells).

Photography by Victor Albert Grigas (1919-2017) PERS-SCENIC 00058 (49853017882)

Physiology

Physiology is the scientific study of the functions and mechanisms in a living system. As a sub-discipline of biology, physiology focuses on how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and biomolecules carry out the chemical and physical functions that exist in a living system.

A&P (Short Story)

"A&P" is a short story written by John Updike, first published in 1961. The story is narrated by a young man named Sammy, who works at a grocery store called A&P. The plot revolves around Sammy's observations of three girls who enter the store in bathing suits and the subsequent events that lead to his resignation.

Commercial. A & P store in Snowdon BAnQ P48S1P06559

Plot Summary

The story is set in a small town's A&P grocery store. Sammy, the protagonist, is a 19-year-old cashier who becomes infatuated with three girls who enter the store wearing only bathing suits. The store manager, Lengel, reprimands the girls for their attire, leading Sammy to quit his job in a gesture of defiance and solidarity with the girls.

Themes

The story explores themes such as the conflict between individualism and conformity, the transition from adolescence to adulthood, and the power dynamics within social structures.

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P)

The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, better known as A&P, was an American chain of grocery stores that operated from 1859 to 2015. It was one of the largest grocery retailers in the United States during its peak.

History

A&P was founded in 1859 by George Gilman and George Huntington Hartford. The company initially started as a mail-order business selling tea and coffee. It later expanded into a chain of grocery stores, becoming a pioneer in the supermarket industry.

Decline and Closure

Despite its early success, A&P faced numerous challenges in the latter half of the 20th century, including increased competition and financial difficulties. The company filed for bankruptcy multiple times and eventually closed its doors in 2015.

Related Pages

• Biology
• Histology
• Cytology
• John Updike
• Supermarket
• Retail