Physiology with elements of clinical physiology
Physiology with elements of clinical physiology course is designed to provide students with
understanding of physiological mechanisms of human body functions, at the cellular and organ level
as well as integrative functioning of the human body. Course content will include neural and
hormonal homeostatic control mechanisms, study of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory,
digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine organ systems and the physiology of blood, kidney,
principles of acid- base balance and metabolism. Principles of exercise physiology will be emphasized
throughout the course.
Teachers:
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Prof. dr hab. Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
dr hab. Dariusz Soszyński, prof. UMK
dr Piotr Złomańczuk
dr Katarzyna Dmitruk
dr Wieńczysława Adamczyk
dr Daria Pracka
dr Tadeusz Pracki
dr Blanka Milczarek
mgr Małgorzata Gałązka
Contact: kizfizjol@cm.umk.pl, b.milczarek@cm.umk.pl,
Syllabus
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Department of Physiology
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Head of the Unit: prof. db. Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
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Faculty of Medicine, Medical Program, II year
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Course coordinator: prof. dr hab. Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
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Format: lecture, classes
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Assessment criteria: exam, ECTS 16 pts
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Number of hours: 60 hours of classes, 120 hours of classes
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Course aims:
Physiology with elements of clinical physiology course is designed to provide students with
understanding of physiological mechanisms of human body functions, at the cellular and organ
level as well as integrative functioning of the human body. Course content will include neural
and hormonal homeostatic control mechanisms, study of the musculoskeletal, circulatory,
respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine organ systems and the physiology of
blood, kidney, principles of acid- base balance and metabolism. Principles of exercise physiology
will be emphasized throughout the course.
IX.
Lecture topics:
1. The fundamentals of neurophysiology: neuron structure, types of neurons.
2. Synaptic conductivity, ionic currents and channels, ion- and metabotropic receptors and
neurotansmitters.
3. Higher functions of central nervous system.
4. Biological clocks -their formal properties and neurophysiological basis.
5. Normal anatomy of the heart. Phenomenon of electrical, mechanical and acoustic workrelated myocardial infarction.
6. Cardiac hemodynamics.
7. Mechanisms regulating cardiac function.
8. Normal anatomy of the circulatory system. Vasculature.
9. Cardiovascular regulation. The mechanisms regulating blood pressure.
10. Lung structure and function - lung ventilation.
11. The exchange of gases in the lungs. Transport of gases by blood. Diffusion of gases in the
tissues.
12. Control of breathing. Neural and chemical control of breathing.
13. The fundamentals of clinical neurophysiology: EEG physiology,
14. Emotional responses
15. Adaptive significance of emotional states,
16. Lateralization of cerebral hemispheres," male brain" and "female brain".
17. Physical activity and human health.
18. Adaptation mechanisms: the influence of high mountain environment on human body.
19. Adaptation mechanisms: the influence of high pressure on human body.
20. Adaptation mechanisms: the influence of temperature pressure on human body.
21. Circadian rhythms.
22. Energy balance.
23. Homeostasis.
24. The role of hepcidine in iron level regulation in plasma.
25. Primary and secondary haemostasis.
26. Haemostasis system balance.
27. The autoregulatory mechanisms in kidneys.
28. RAA system and its functions.
29. The influence of endocrine system in the regulation of blood volume and pressure.
30. Psychoneuroimmunology- is it better to be an optimist or pessimist.
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Classes topics:
1. The structure of membranes. Membrane channels. Membrane transport.
2. Resting and action potential in nervous cell.
3. Synaptic condutivity. Types of synapses.
4. The physiology of the skeletal and smooth muscle.
5. Autonomic nervous system.
6. Reflex action of the central nervous system. Movement and posture control.
7. The physiology of senses. Sensation and perception.
8. Brain and immunity - anatomical and functional basis for interaction of the neuroendocrine
system with immune system.
9. Termoregulation and thermal states of the body according to set-point theory. Pathogenesis
and significance of fever.
10. Biological clocks - their formal properties and neurophysiological basis. Physiology of the
EEG.
11. The role of autonomic and limbic system in hormonal regulation. The role of the
hypothalamus in endocrinology. Neural control of the pituitary gland. Control of the pituitary
gland glandular part. Pituitary hormones - mechanism of interaction. Feedback loops.
12. Pancreatic endocrine function. Adrenal steroids - regulation of the synthesis, secretion and
the mechanisms of interaction. Stress and adrenal function. The role of adrenal androgens
and estrogen. Hypothalamus - pituitary – gonads axis.
13. The mechanisms of interaction between ovarian and testicular hormones. Pregnancy,
childbirth, lactation – the endocrine specificity.
14. Hormons as the modulators of brain ontogeny. The mediators of cyclical changes. Mediators
induced by environmental changes. Mediators of brain development and sex differentiation
of the brain.
15. Blood. Composition of blood. Blood group. Morphology and physiology of erythrocytes,
leukocytes and thrombocytes. ESR. Cross - matching blood test. Immunological mechanisms.
Haemostasis. Hemostatic balance.
16. Functional anatomy of kidneys. Structure of nephron. Mechanisms of filtration, tubular
resorption and secretion. Autoregulation mechanisms in kidney.Urinary excretion. The effect
of physical exercise on urinary excretion.
17. Heart -electrical, mechanical and acoustic phenomenon.
18. Cardiac hemodynamics.
19. The mechanisms of regulation of the heart. Receptors.
20. Electrocardiogram- recording and results interpretation.
21. The effect of physical exercise on the cardiovascular system. Effort tests.
22. Blood pressure regulating mechanisms. Blood flow. Regulation of blood circulation in the
brain, lungs, skeletal muscle, kidney, liver. Heart and circulatory system before birth.
23. Structure and function of the respiratory system. The ventilation of the lungs.
24. Spirometry- recording and results interpretation.
25. Nervous and chemical regulation of breathing.
26. Mechanism of respiratory adaptation- the man at high altitude, high-pressure environment
and during physical activity.
27. Physiology of the digestive system.
28. Endocrine activity of digestive system
29. Acid-base balance.
30. Metabolism. The energy balance of the body. Overweight, obesity, "homo sedentarius”
disease of civilization.
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The scope of the material for self-development:
1. Membrane channels and their functions.
2. Practical application of membrane channels.
3. News in the world of hormones.
4. Adaptive mechanisms of the human body.
5. Circadian rhythms, elements of chronomedicine and chronobiology.
6. Invasive and noninvasive diagnosis of the circulatory system.
7. Respiratory diagnostic methods.
8. Adaptive mechanisms of the human body.
XII.
Learning outcomes:
After completion the course, student:
1. explains the mechanisms of the human body function,
2. understands integration processes and interactions between different systems,
3. performs basic ECG examinations its interpretation,
4. performs effort test, lists and explains the indications and contraindications to effort tests.
5. is able to plan physical training and choose the appropriate physical activity to age, health
conditions and lifestyle to improve overall physical fitness .
XIII.
Required textbooks:
1. Raff H, Levitzky M, Medical Physiology: A Systems Approach, 1st edition, Lange McGraw-Hill,
2011
2. Guyton AC, Hall JE, The Textbook of Medical Physiology, 11th edition, Elsevier Saunders, 2006;
3. Seeley RR, Stephens TD, Tate P, Anatomy and Physiology, 6th edition, McGraw- Hill, 2006;
4. Purves D. et. al., Neuroscience, 3rd edition, Sinauer, 2004
Rules and regulations
Head of the Unit: Prof. dr. hab. med. Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
Subject: Physiology with elements of clinical physiology
Faculty of Medicine
1. Physiology course consists of lectures and laboratories/seminars.
2. Both lecture and laboratory/seminar attendance is mandatory.
1. A formal excuse (see NCU policy) is required for each absence. The written excuse has to be
delivered to the TA as soon as possible after the absentee return.
2. All absentees are required to obtain the credit for unattended classes. The time and terms of
credit acquisition are decided by a respective TA.
3. At the beginning of the academic year, it is a duty of every student to familiarize her / himself with both electronic and paper information distribution systems utilized within the
Department of Physiology.
4. Students are expected to be familiar with all the current ordinances and information from
electronic and paper information systems.
5. Each student attending laboratory/seminar has to fulfill the following entry requirements:
a. arrive to the place of class meeting on time;
b. dress according to the safety code requirements;
c. be aware of the safety code requirements;
d. fulfill the knowledge requirements for the current class.
6. During a class student may be asked to leave the room and acquire the credit for the class in
the alternative time in the following circumstances:
a. student does not fulfill requirements described in pt. 5;
b. student behavior interferes with work of other student and/or TA’s work;
c. student is not actively participating in the current lab/seminar;
d. student does not follow the safety code guidelines.
7. The terms of lab/seminar credit acquisition are presented by the TA at the beginning of each
subject block.
8. Student is allowed to take mid-term tests only after acquiring credits for all labs/seminars in
a respective subject block.
9. Mid-term tests are administered at the end of each subject block. The detailed timing of the
test is decided and announced by a respective TA.
10.The subject matter covered by a given mid-term test includes:
a. knowledge presented during labs/seminars;
b. relevant knowledge presented during lectures;
c. information contained in the written/electronic resources indicated by a TA.
11.Student may retake a mid-term test twice. However, it is within a TA’s discretion to allow for
the retakes.
12.The lack of formal justification for an absence during a test eliminates the student’s right to
take the test.
13.The justified absence during a test does not alter the student’s eligibility to take a test.
14.In order to pass the Physiology Course in a given semester all lab/seminar credits have to be
acquired and all relevant tests have to be passed.
15.A failure to meet the requirements described in pt. 14 results in necessity to verify student’s
knowledge by the departmental commission.
16.Members of the departmental commission are nominated by the Department of Physiology
Chairwoman.
17.Labs/seminars are scored by graded or pass/fail systems.
18.The time and form of final exam are decided and announced by the Department of
Physiology Chairwoman.
The Department of Physiology Student Code of Conduct is based on § 24 of NCU Code of
Conduct.