Instructor Dr. Leon A. Cuervo    

Office: OE 243    Ph.: 305 348-2298    e-mail: cuervol@fiu.edu

Office hours: M 1300-1700                                        RETURN TO HOMEPAGE

Objectives

This course was designed to fulfill the General Education Core requirement for a biological science. It will attempt to convey a sense of the structure of science in general and of the unique characteristics of those that deal with biological systems. The extraordinary complexity of biological systems and those of their properties that make them different (development, adaptation, self-regulation, reproduction, evolution, death, etc.) unavoidably determine some special ways of thinking and of proceeding by those who investigate them. Still, it is a basic tenet of modern biology that the same fundamental laws that govern the behavior of physical systems are obeyed by biological systems, and that they are sufficient. No new special laws need to be invoked to explain even those phenomena that seem as if they had a predetermined goal.

The place of physiology in the biological sciences is to study how whole organisms function. This entails a knowledge of their structure, so we will introduce the anatomy of the human body as necessary. A complex organism is made up of many parts that work harmoniously. Physiology deals with these parts (cells, tissues, organs and organ systems) as well as with the ways in which they intercommunicate to achieve an integrated function. We will address all of these, but will emphasize the study of organs and organ systems. Along the way, the origin of physiological ideas and concepts will be explored so that you may get a glimpse at how physiologists think.

Tests.

Three tests will be given. The approximate dates of the first two are Feb 13 and March 27. By these dates certain chapters are expected to be finished. If, for any reason, the test date falls before a desired chapter has been completed, the test will be postponed one or two days. The non-comprehensive final will be on April 22. The tests will consist of multiple choice and other forms of brief answer questions. Each test will be worth an equal fraction of the final grade. The questions will test your understanding of principles as well as your recollection of facts.This means that you need to achieve a good understanding of the physiological processes, no just to memorize the material. The questions will test your ability to apply the knowledge.

Textbook: Martini and Bartholomew: Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology; 3rd Ed., Prentice Hall.

LECTURE TOPICS

Chapter numbers correspond to those in the textbook. Chapters may include material for which you will not be held responsible. This will be indicated by a statement in parenthesis as follows: NRF (not responsible for) and the page numbers.

Chapter 1. What is physiology? Levels of organization: molecular, cellular, tissular, organ, system, whole organism. Homeostasis and feedback. (NRF 15 -22)

Chapter 2. Biochemistry: proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and lipids. (NRF 28 - 36)

Chapter 3. The cell. Plasma membrane: structure and functions. Passive and active transports. The cytoplasm: organelles, cytoskeleton and cytosol. The nucleus: DNA, its replication, transcription and translation.

Chapter 7. Muscle. Kinds of muscle. Organization and mechanism of contraction in skeletal muscle cells. Physiology of muscles: isotonic and isometric contractions, twitch, summation, tetanus motor units. Metabolism, slow and fast twitch fibers. Cardiac and smooth muscle. (NRF 195 - 218)

Chapters 8. Nervous tissue. Structure of the neuron. Generation and conduction of the nerve impulse. Synaptic transmission. Chemical communication: hormones. Nervous system. Central and peripheral, somatic and autonomic. The spinal chord: general features, spinal nerves, cross section, spinal reflexes. The brain: meninges, cerebro-spinal fluid, parts of the brain. Brain stem. Cerebellum. Diencephalon. Cerebrum: lobes, cortex, basal ganglia, limbic system, functional areas of the cortex. Reticular activating system. Sleep. Control of movement. Autonomic nervous system: general organization. Structure and function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions

Chapter 9. Sensory function: overview. Types of receptors. Cutaneous and proprioceptive sensations. Special senses: structure and function of the organs of gustation, olfaction, audition, vision and equilibrium.

Chapter 10. The endocrine system. General concepts about hormones and their functions: chemistry, site of action on target cells, control of secretion. Hypothalamus and pituitary gland: anterior pituitary hormones, their regulation by hypothalamic hormones, their functions; posterior pituitary hormones, their functions. Thyroid gland, its hormones, regulation of their secretion, functions. Parathyroid glands, hormone function. Adrenal glands: adrenal cortex, hormones, regulation and functions; adrenal medulla. Pancreas, insulin, glucagon, and the regulation of blood glucose. Ovaries and testes. Other glands and endocrine tissues. Patterns of hormonal interaction..

Chapter 11. Blood. Composition of plasma. Red blood cells and their function in gas transport. White blood cells and their functions in defense of the organism. Blood groups. Platelets. Hemostasis.

Chapters 12 and 13. The heart. Anatomy, blood and nerve supply. Rhythmicity and conduction system, the electrocardiogram. The cardiac cycle. Cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume and their regulation. Blood vessels. Types of vessels and their functions. Blood flow, pressure and resistance. Regulation of arterial pressure. Regulation of local blood flow. Capillary exchange and the formation of lymph. Regulation of venous capacitance and venous return, effect on cardiac output. Systemic circulation, pulmonary circulation and special circulations. Response of the circulatory system to exercise and to hemorrhage. Shock.

Chapter 14. Defense systems. The lymphatic system and immunity. Lymph, lymphatic vessels and lymphatic tissues. Circulation of lymph. Non-specific resistance to disease. Specific resistance: antigens, antibodies, cellular and humoral immunities. AIDS.

Chapter 15. The respiratory system. Structure of respiratory organs. Pulmonary volumes and capacities. Pulmonary ventilation: Changes in pleural and alveolar pressures. The respiratory membrane and alveolar gas exchange. Transport of respiratory gases. Gas exchange at the tissues. Control of respiration: neural centers and peripheral influences.

Chapter 16. The digestive system. General structure of the digestive tract. Mouth, pharynx, esophagus: their functions. The stomach: structure, motility and secretions. Regulation of gastric motility and secretions. Digestive functions of the liver and pancreas. Other functions of the liver. Digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Digestion and absorption in the large intestine. Feces and defecation.

Chapter 17. Metabolism: general concepts, enzymes, oxidation, reduction and metabolic pathways. Carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolic pathways and their interconnections. Vitamins and minerals. Heat production and metabolism. Regulation of body temperature.

Chapter 18. The urinary system. Structure of the kidneys. The nephron as the functional unit. Glomerular filtration and tubular transport. Ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. Micturition. Fluid and electrolyte balance. Fluid compartments and their exchanges. Regulation of water intake and output: thirst, renal concentration mechanism, and ADH. Electrolytes: their distribution and regulation. Regulation of acid-base balance: buffers, renal and respiratory mechanisms.

Chapter 19. The reproductive system. Structure of the male reproductive system. Gamete formation and hormone secretion in the testes. Ducts, accessory glands and semen. Penis. Structure of the female reproductive system. Gamete formation and hormone secretion in the ovaries. Stages and hormonal regulation of the reproductive cycle. Male and female sexual acts. Fertilization, implantation and embryonic development. Fetal development. Labor and parturition. Lactation. Prenatal diagnostic techniques. Birth control. Hereditary transmission: genes. Genotype and phenotype. Inheritance of blood groups, sex determination and X-linked inheritance.