Biology 3334 and BioEng 5737: Mammalian Physiology
Spring 2016, T, Th 12:00-1:20 PM
164 Beury
Dr. Jacqueline Tanaka
Room 324 Biology-Life Sciences
Phone: 215-204-8868
Email: jtanaka@temple.edu
Office Hours: T, Th 1:30-4 PM
Or by appointment
What is Physiology? Physiology is a study of how organisms solve life challenges. As expected,
physiology varies with the challenges. A deep understanding of physiological processes requires
insight into the evolution of the organism in relation to related organisms and it requires insight into its
behavior. So in a sense, every other aspect of biology is relevant to understanding physiology.
Examples of life challenges are: how does an organism acquire energy, communicate with other
individuals in the biotic environment, reproduce, and defend against pathogens.
Whatever your special interest from molecular motions of proteins to the migration of bird
flocks with regard to their time of flight to sites for feeding layovers, some of the answers begin with
understanding an organism’s physiology. I hope you will share the excitement of being part of this
this journey and you will find yourself asking your own questions about physiology.
Textbook: Animal Physiology by Hill, Wyse and Anderson 3rd edition. ISBN: 978-0-87893-559-8
http://www.sinauer.com/animal-physiology.html
This course builds on your understanding of basic biology, chemistry and physics. Physiology is a
quantitative science and we will delve into some of the central equations and ideas but since this is a
first physiology course for most of you, it will be a survey-type course.
Syllabus: The syllabus is a working plan. These are major topics we will cover but the material in
each section is likely to change as we decide how best to focus on examination of the issues
selected. The topics were collated from several sources including the UN Millenium Development
Goals (MDG), World Resources Institute, National Science Foundation, National Academy of Science,
and National Geographic web sites on climate change. The main goal is to educate us all on
sustainability defined as leaving as many, if not more, resources to those who come after as were left
to us.
The schedule below lists possible articles but these are subject to change. They will give you a sense
of the class focus but will not necessarily be the articles assigned.
Date
1/12/16
1/14/15
1/19/16
1/21/16
1/26/16
1/28/16
2/2/16
2/4/16
Week
Topic
1
Introduction to animal physiology
Guest lecture: Dr. Ed Gruberg
2
Physiological mechanisms
Membranes, proteins, enzymes, transporters
3
The physiological instructions: genome and proteome
Flex time
4
The role of diffusion and transport in physiology
Electrochemical gradients in physiology
1
Chapter
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
2/9/16
2/11/16
2/16/16
2/18/16
2/23/16
2/28-3/7/16
3/8/16
3/10/16
3/15/16
3/17/16
3/22/16
3/24/16
3/29/16
3/31/16
4/5/16
4/7/16
4/12/16
4/14/16
4/19/16
4/21/16
4/28/16
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Review Chapters 1,2,3 & 5
Exam 1
Overview of feeding strategies
Animal respiration (metabolic)
Aerobic and anaerobic energetics
Spring break
Temperature adaptations
Strategies for temperature extremes
Flex time
Exam 2
Neuronal physiology: Intro
Synaptic physiology
Nervous system overview
Muscle types and function
Animal respiration: O2 and CO2
Respiratory pigments and gas transport
Exam 3
Circulation
Water and salt balance
Overview of nitrogen excretion
Final exam
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8 & 9 select topics
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Review Chapters 6-11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 15
Chapter 20
Chapter 22
Chapter 24
Chapters 12-24 selected
Chapter 25
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
10:30-12:30
Laboratory: The laboratory exercises are under development at this time. We are in the process of
getting some new equipment and organizing the labs. Some topics and chapters in the book we will
not discuss in class but we will investigate them in the lab. Two examples are excretion (urine output)
and sensory physiology.
Concept understanding: We will use Turning Point (TP) during the class. You may use your cell
phone or any device that has wireless communication capabilities. You only have to register with TP
and many of you probably have a license. I will give you information about the registration via BB
once I have all the details. I will use the polling to check on class understanding of the concepts and
examples in the course.
Grading: More details about the in-class and homework grades but there will be at least 3 homework
assignments consisting of problems. Physiology is a quantitative science and it is essential that you
are comfortable working through the fundamental equations that govern the behavior or various
systems. In addition, there will be opportunities for you to earn credit during classes by preparing
questions about the topic in advance. More details about this in the first class.
Midterm exams:
Lab, in-class and homework:
Final exam
40%
20%
40%
There are NO MAKEUP EXAMS In the case of illness, sports competitions or other excused absences,
you will be excused IF you inform me in advance. You must have a note from your physician, a coach or
whoever is appropriate for explaining a legitimate absence. If you are not excused, you will receive a
zero for the midterm.
Honesty and Civility: You must abide by Temple's Code of Conduct (see
http://www.temple.edu/assistance/udc/coc.htm) , which prohibits:
1. Academic dishonesty and impropriety, including plagiarism and academic cheating. We will discuss
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collaboration on assignments in terms of what is acceptable and what is not.
2. Interfering or attempting to interfere with or disrupting the conduct of classes or any other normal or
regular activities of the University.
3. Avoid all appearance of cheating. We have a "zero tolerance" policy. The Temple Honor code, which
you will sign before you take all of the exams in the course, provides disciplinary action for cheating
which may include expulsion from the University.
The penalty for academic dishonesty can vary from receiving a reprimand and a failing grade for a
particular assignment, to a failing grade in the course, to suspension or expulsion from the university.
The penalty varies with the nature of the offense, the individual instructor, the department, and the
school or college. Please refer to the following university policy:
http://www.temple.edu/bulletin/Responsibilities_rights/responsibilities/responsibilities.shtm
Disabilities: Any student who needs accommodation because of a disability should contact me privately
to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. The Office of Disability Resources and Services
(215-204-1280) in Ritter Annex 100 can coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with
documented disabilities. Students who are eligible for extra time on exams need to talk with us well in
advance of the exam to make arrangements for extended time.
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The
University has a policy on Student and Faculty and Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy
#03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link: http://policies. temple. edu/getdoc.asp
?policy _no=03. 70. 02
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