Introductory Physiology and the Autonomic Nervous System

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 2. describe functional organisation of human body; 3. identify the concept of homeostasis and its failure (illness); 4. explain control systems of the body; 5. describe cell membrane and its functions; 6. recognise various cell organelles and intercellular connections; 7. describe various mechanisms of transport across cell membrane including active transport, passive transport, simple and facilitated diffusion; 8. identify the structure neuron and functions; 9. classify nerve fibres and nerve injury; 10. classify conduction of nerve impulse, nerve degeneration and regeneration; 11. describe synapses and neuromuscular junction; 12. classify muscles; 13. discuss skeletal muscle contraction and excitation-contraction coupling; 14. identify smooth muscle contraction; 15. appreciate nerve conduction studies; 16. interpret electromyograms (EMG); 17. explain rigor mortis and contractures; 18. describe myopathies/neuropathies; 19. describe functional organisation of autonomic nervous system; 20. discuss sympathetic division of autonomic nervous system; 21. discuss parasympathetic division of autonomic nervous system; 22. outline functions of autonomic nervous system; 23. enumerate sympathomimetic and sympatholytic drugs; and 24. list parasympathomimetic and parasympatholytic drugs.

Introduction to physiology and its place in Medicine. The composite cell, cell membrane and transport mechanisms, membrane potentials. Physiology of excitable tissues. Functional organization of autonomic nervous system (ANS). Basic characteristics of sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. Introduction to human genetics. Biotechnology and human genome.