Introduction to Aerospace Physiology I

Catalog description

Introduction to Aerospace I is organized into five blocks clustering around concepts of cell biology, neural systems, cardiopulmonary functions, and renal adaptation. Scenarios in acute, sub-acute, and chronic responses to the challenge of the aerospace environment illustrate useful physiology and unique responses relevant to high performance aircraft and space exploration. Block I: Physiology of Cells and Molecules Genes, proteins, cellular communication and organ system functions are building blocks of human physiologic responses. These are modified by such aerospace exposures such as microgravity. Immediate adjustments are the result of connected physiology by cell-to-cell contact, neuronal connection, and hormone release, but sub-acute and chronic exposures engage remodeling from experience, mitigation by pre-flight activities, or achievement of a new steady state. After Aerospace Physiology I, the student will be able to name the cellular sequences of gene expression to functional proteins, identify how an environmental exposure can be sensed and initiate a response, and list ways that cells communicate to produce systemic effects. Some relevant examples will include microgravity and radiation effects on bone loss and muscle functions, skeletal muscle contraction, smooth muscle regulation in blood vessels, and cardiac contraction. Block II: Neurophysiology The purpose of the neural system is in recognition and reaction of the brain and nervous system to the environment stress and the transduction of the sensory experience, resulting in both conscious and unconscious responses to adjust to the perturbation. Sometimes these are smooth but in aerospace environments, initial human responses (dizziness, loss of situational awareness, and fatigue) are detrimental to optimal performance. After Introduction to Aerospace Physiology I, the learner will be able to list the anatomic features of the nervous system, its neural efferent and afferent information trafficking, the function of the autonomic nervous system, and neural circuits in the brain and spinal cord. Block III: Cardiovascular Physiology The ability to tolerate the 6G acceleration in high performance aircraft is in large part due to the capacity and limitation of the cardiovascular system (one designed to adjust to earth's atmosphere-1G) to respond to changes in posture, flight-or-flight, or volume loss like hemorrhage. The temporary and episodic changes with added physical pressures are extreme and require technologic support to permit performance in high altitude maneuvers. How well these support systems work depends upon an understanding of the physiology. After Aerospace Physiology I, the learner will be able to describe the organization of the cardiovascular system including the role of the heart in the circulation to the atrial and from the venous vessel system, and the special consideration for aerospace in the integrated responses to space and high performance. Block IV: Pulmonary Physiology Humans acutely exposed to altitude adjust homeostatically to the low oxygen environment with primarily ventilatory adjustments. Over time, the human response can reduce the impact of the altered environment by acid-base adjustments, increases in oxygen carrying capacity, and cardiac output. The former is relevant for air travelers and pilots and the latter to prolonged travel. After Aerospace Physiology I, the learner will describe the sequence of gas exchange from the alveolar blood vessel (V/Q) interface in the lungs to the cells, in the context of the control systems that regulate tidal volume and frequency. Block V: Renal Physiology The kidney is a regulator primarily of acid-base and electrolyte levels. Per se it is not affected by barometric pressures or environmental forcing. However, it is key to volume balance, responding to changes in cardiac output and blood pressure, and may misbehave in the instance of hyperventilation to hypoxia. The renal adjustment is slow an