PS120 : Introduction to Physiology

Department

faculty of Medicine

Academic Program

Bachelor in Medicine and general surgery

Type

Compulsory

Credits

02

Prerequisite

Overview

This course, defines the cell morphology and functional organization of the human body, and control of the internal environment, the physiology of the sympathetic, parasympathetic, the autonomic nervous system and structure and function of nerve cells, and different types of nerve fibers

Membrane Potentials and Action Potentials and the structural differences and similarities among skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle and the role of neural and hormonal control in muscles.

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will be able to

1. To enable the student to understand the cell morphology and functional organization of the human body , and control of the internal environment

2. To enable the student to understand the physiology of the sympathetic, parasympathetic, the autonomic nervous system and structure and function of nerve cells, and different types of nerve fibers

3. To enable the student to understand the Membrane Potentials and Action Potentials.

4. To enable the student to understand the structural differences and similarities among skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle and the role of neural and hormonal control in muscles

Methods of assessments

MCQ Med Term Exam ---------------------- 30%

MCQ Final Exam -------------------------------- 70%

WeeksSubjectHours
1Functional morphology of cell membrane and transport 1of substances across the cell membrane2
2Body fluid: Its composition and compartments - Forces 2 responsible for movement of substances between compartments2
3Homeostasis and internal environment - Control 3 mechanism2
4Subdivisions of autonomic nervous system: Sympathetic and Para-sympathetic systems afferent autonomic fibers - Autonomic ganglia. 2
5Chemical transmission and autonomic functions - 5 Cholinergic fibers - Cholinergic receptors (muscarinic and nicotinic) - Cholinesterase and anticholinestrase. Acetylcholine antagonists (atropine and curare) - Epinephrine and norepinephrine Alpha and Beta receptors 2
6Higher control of autonomic nervous system: Sympathetic 6 integration with adrenal medulla - Hypothalamic control2
7Structure and function of nerve cell – Resting membrane 7 potential Na+ - K + electrogenic pump. 2

WeeksSubject Hours
8Types of nerve fibers and their functions – Properties of mixed nerves – Velocity of conduction in nerve fibers Chronaxie – Rheobase. 2
9Action potential and its propagation – Spike potential2
10Structure and functions of different types of muscle tissues 10 – Differences between skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles 2
11Neuromuscular transmission – End plate potential – Drugs 11 affecting neuromuscular junction- Myasthenia gravis. 2
12Isotonic and isometric contractions – Muscular fatigue – 12 Tetanus – Twitch and clonus - Muscular atrophy and hypertrophy 2
13Source of energy for muscle contraction and role of 13 calcium. 2
14Function of smooth muscle – Types of smooth muscle – 14 Contractile process and neuromuscular junction in smooth muscle. 2