Physiology of the Human Body Systems – אוניברסיטת בר-אילן

Physiology of the Human Body Systems

Course number: 80214-01/10/30
Type of course: Lectures
Semester: B
Total hours: 26
Credits: 1 point

Course Description:

Part 1 – Introduction to the course:

  1. Definition of the subject – anatomy and physiology.
  2. Organization levels of the human body.
  3. Homeostasis and its regulation by feedback mechanisms.
  4. The regulatory systems of the body:
    • Somatic nervous system
    • Autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic)
    • Hormonal regulatory system
  5. External and internal (endocrine) secretory glands; hormones and neurohormones.
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Part 2 – The cardiovascular system: Blood and the heart

  1. Cellular components and plasma composition of blood; functions of both.
  2. Heart anatomy: wall, atria, ventricles, septa, valves and mechanisms.
  3. Blood flow:
    • Pulmonary circulation
    • Systemic circulation
    • Coronary circulation
    • Fetal heart structure and blood flow
  4. Coronary artery clots from fatty deposits and resulting pathology.
  5. Cardiac muscle structure at molecular and cellular levels.
  6. Electrical conduction system: SA node, atria, AV node, bundle of His, septum, Purkinje fibers, ventricles.
  7. Abnormal rhythm and cardiac arrhythmias.

Part 3 – The cardiovascular system: Blood vessels

  1. Blood vessel anatomy
  2. Factors affecting blood flow
  3. Regulation of blood pressure
  4. Regulation of blood flow

Part 4 – Regulation of cardiovascular system activity

  1. Cardiovascular center in the brain stem: input and output
  2. Neural regulation of blood pressure: baroreceptor and chemoreceptor reflexes
  3. Hormonal regulation of blood pressure
  4. Local (tissue-level) self-regulation of blood pressure

Part 5 – The respiratory system

  1. Respiratory system anatomy
  2. Relation between blood perfusion and lung ventilation
  3. Cellular, external, and internal respiration
  4. Gas exchange and transport, and influencing parameters
  5. Breathing mechanics:
    • Respiratory muscles
    • Rest vs. exertion breathing
    • Inspiratory and expiratory parameters
    • Airway resistance
    • Lung volumes and capacities

Part 6 – Nervous system regulation of respiration

  1. Respiratory center in the brain stem
  2. Neural control of respiratory muscles at rest and during exertion
  3. Regulation based on blood gas composition:
    • Hypoventilation and hypercapnia
    • Hyperventilation and hypocapnia
    • Types of hypoxia
  4. Regulation of respiration based on external stimuli

Note: This course includes several aspects related to the digestive and excretory systems. These will be taught in the elective course 80345-01.

Prerequisites:

Course “Introduction to physiology of the living” (80-206), or any equivalent course covering synaptic transmission and action potential generation in the nervous system.

Requirements / Assignments:

  • Frontal lectures using PowerPoint presentations and videos demonstrating physiological and pathophysiological processes.

Final Grade Components:

  • Multiple choice exam – 100% of the final grade

Bibliography:

Tortora, G.J. & Grabowski, S.R., Principles of Anatomy & Physiology, 10th Edition, 2003. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., USA.
Chapters: Part of 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, part of 25, 26

Or the equivalent chapters in:
Tortora, G.J. & Derrickson, B., Principles of Anatomy & Physiology, 15th Edition, 2017. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., USA

Goals of the Course / Work Product:

To gain in-depth understanding of the anatomy of human tissues and organs, and the physiological function of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems under normal and pathological conditions. The course integrates chemical, cellular, and systemic levels of understanding.