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Physiology-I: Course contents (PHYL101)

Course description

The course is designed to study the function of the human body at the cellular, tissue and systems levels. The course will help students in understanding the complexities of the cells, tissues, and major organs and systems of the human body, concentrating on basic mechanisms underlying human life processes and important diseases affecting normal human function.

Course contents

CELL PHYSIOLOGY

  • Functional organization of human body
  • Homeostasis
  • Control systems in the body
  • Cell membrane and its functions
  • Cell organelles and their functions
  • Genes: control and function

NERVE AND MUSCLE

  • Structure and function of neuron
  • Physiological properties of nerve fibers
  • Action potential
  • Conduction of nerve impulse
  • Nerve degeneration and regeneration
  • Synapses
  • Physiological structure of muscle
  • Skeletal muscle contraction
  • Skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle contraction
  • Neuromuscular junction and transmission
  • Excitation contraction coupling
  • Structure and function of motor unit

BLOOD

  • Composition and general functions of blood
  • Plasma proteins their production and function
  • Erythropoiesis and red blood cell function
  • Structure, function, production and different types of haemoglobin
  • Iron absorption storage and metabolism
  • Blood indices, Function, production and type of white blood cells
  • Function and production of platelets
  • Clotting mechanism of blood
  • Blood groups and their role in blood transfusion
  • Complications of blood transfusion with reference to ABO & RH incompatibility
  • Components of reticuloendothelial systems, gross and microscopic structure including tonsil, lymph node and spleen
  • Development and function of reticuloendothelial system

LAB WORK

  • Use of the microscope
  • Determination of haemoglobin
  • Determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • Determining packed cell volume
  • Measuring bleeding and clotting time
  • RBC count
  • Red cell indices
  • WBC count
  • Leukocyte count
  • Prothrombin and thrombin time.
  • Blood indices in various disorders
  • Clotting disorders
  • Blood grouping and cross matching

Learning objectives

  • Define the terminology related to the structure and function of the human body systems
  • Compare and contrast the structural and functional characteristics of the various human body cells
  • Describe basic chemical concepts and principles as they apply to the structure and functioning of the blood and neuromuscular system
  • Analyze the interrelationships of body organ systems, homeostasis, and the complementarity of structure and functioning of the blood and neuromuscular system
  • Demonstrate advance techniques to investigate the body and interpret data to be used for diagnosis and treatment
  • Define the principles behind medical instrumentation and their usage

Books