Course Description
Lectures evaluate functioning of the mammalian body systems, including nervous, muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, renal, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Discussion sections build upon lectures by emphasizing core concepts in physiology as related to integrative functioning of organ systems.
Athena Title
Integrat Concepts Physiology I
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in CBIO 3710, VPHY 3100, VPHY 3100E
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
For the lecture component of the course, students will be able to… • Recall and restate information considered intrinsic to building a knowledge base of physiologic processes for each topic and organ system. • Explain how basic physiologic functions are mediated by changes in functioning at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. • Apply their knowledge of physiologic functioning to infer how physiologic systems respond to alterations in the intrinsic and extrinsic states. • Identify how each of the core concepts of physiology relate to functioning of individual organ systems. For the discussion component of the course, students will be able to… • Analyze how different cells, tissues, and organ systems organize and coordinate physiologic functioning. • Determine and predict how physiologic systems organize systemic responses to alterations in physiologic parameters. • Compare and contrast how the core concepts of physiology are functionally integrated between different physiologic systems. For reference, the core concepts of physiology include: • Homeostatic functions actively maintain the internal environment of the organism. • Structure and function from the molecular level through the organismal level are intrinsically related. • Understanding physiological functioning involves understanding behavior at each level of functioning from the molecular through the organismal. • Cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems are interdependent on one another to maintain systemic functioning and life. • Cell membranes are essential for regulating cellular function. • Cells have both common functionalities and specialized roles that contribute to functioning of tissues, organs, and the organism. • Communication of information between cells allows coordination of activities from the molecular through the organismal level. • Flow-down gradients explain movement throughout the organism from the molecular level (e.g., ions and molecules) to the organ level (e.g., gases) through the organismal level (e.g., blood). • The law of mass balance determines how cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems respond to changes in inputs and outputs of components. • The existence of the organism requires constant synthesis and expenditure of energy.
Topical Outline
Introduction and cell structure Membrane physiology Nervous system (peripheral, central, autonomic) Sensory physiology Endocrine system Immune system Cardiovascular system Respiratory system Renal physiology Digestive system Regulation of metabolism Reproduction Assessment of Students Will Be Based on: 1. Exams 2. Quizzes 3. Participation in discussion section 4. Homework and in-class assignments for discussion section
Syllabus