Human Integrative Physiology

Catalog description

This course explores whole organ physiology emphasizing skeletal muscle and exercise physiology, cardiovascular, renal and urinary, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and endocrine. BMS 520 Human Integrative Physiology (3) Human Integrative Physiology considers the function of the mammalian organism with an emphasis on system physiology. This course builds upon the strong foundation of cellular processes, molecular interactions, and genetic regulation provided in BMS 501 , 502 , 503 and allows students to develop an appreciation of the integration of biological function. The course is organized into multiple sections that focus on different organ systems. Initially, the course reviews principles of excitable cells and discuss sensory transduction, the autonomic nervous system, and motor system physiology. Next, students learn the structure and function of skeletal muscle physiology including muscle contraction, force generation, and movement. The course then focuses on the structure and regulation of the cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory systems. Subsequent sections cover gastrointestinal and endocrine systems by building upon the cellular and molecular processes covered in BMS 501 , 502 , and 503 . Each section teaches the basic design of the system, explores the physiological principles of function, and examines how each system contributes to homeostasis and pathophysiological disease. Class material is covered through lectures and primary literature.