Course Description
Course integrates the physiological functions of four major systems, including membrane physiology, muscle/mitochondrial bioenergetics, and the cardiopulmonary, renal, and gastrointestinal systems. A companion course, Integrative Systems Physiology II, will cover the integration of the nervous, neuroendocrine, endocrine, and reproductive systems.
Athena Title
Integrative Systems Physiol I
Non-Traditional Format
Course is appropriate for graduate students in physiology, biosciences, and biomedical programs. Course delivery will include a mix of lectures, current research discussions/presentations, and integrative learning sessions that link functions across systems.
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1. Understand and explain the major components and physiological functions of the muscular, cardiopulmonary, renal, and gastrointestinal systems. 2. Recognize and understand how different organ systems interact, leading to integrated physiological responses that maintain homeostasis and respond to dysfunction/disease. 3. Apply fundamental knowledge of these systems to critically review current primary research in this field and present/discuss key findings in class.
Topical Outline
Research discussions and integrative learning sessions will be interspersed throughout the course to complement lecture materials. Topical Outline with subtopics for each major system: Membrane Physiology and Bioenergetics o Review membrane structure/structural components, receptors, ion channels, regulation of membrane permeability o Comparative physiology of muscle membrane excitability/contractility (skeletal, smooth, cardiac) o Bioenergetics and mitochondrial function Cardiopulmonary Physiology o Review heart and lung structure o Cardiac cycle, blood flow through the cardiopulmonary system o Regulation of heart rhythm/rate; automaticity and synchronization o Cardiac/peripheral vasculature and regulation of normal blood flow (+ hypertension/hypotension); tissue perfusion o Air flow/filtration through the pulmonary tract (inspiration/expiration) o Oxygenation of blood and tissues o Compensatory mechanisms Renal Physiology o Review of kidney structure including vasculature o Production and modification of urine (mechanisms of filtration, secretion, reabsorption) o Regulation of fluid balance, blood pressure, acid/base balance, and hormone secretion o Bladder structure, control of micturition GI Physiology o Alimentary tract organization; the flow of ingesta o Salivation, swallowing, peristalsis o Gastric mucosa and digestion o Pancreatic enzymatic modification of ingesta o Intestinal mucosa and absorption (large and small) o Liver – portal system, metabolism, biliary system o Excretion
Syllabus