Medical Physiology: Cell, Blood And Body Fluids, Renal, Cardiovascular And Respiratory

This course introduces the cell biology, blood and body fluids, the renal system, the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system. Focus is on the understanding of the structure and functions of these systems in the maintenance of normal body functioning. 

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

Understanding of clinical aspects of the program requires understanding of pathophysiology, which in turn requires that the student understands the normal functioning of the human body (physiology) of which this is part. Normal functioning of the body involves receptors in the different tissues. Receptors are also the link between the body and drug action. Thus, understanding of normal body functioning also forms the basis for drug development.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, the student should be able to do the following:

1. Describe the cell as the “building block” in the various tissues of the body and explain how the various types of cells contribute to the normal functioning of the body.
   
2. Describe the structure and discuss the functional roles of the skin.
   
3. Discuss the basic principles of human Genetics.
   
4. Describe the body fluid compartments and explain the mechanisms governing the interchange of the various substances between different fluid compartments.
   
5. Describe the concept of homeokinesis.
   
6. Describe the functional anatomy of the respiratory system and discuss the roles played by the respiratory system in the normal functioning of the body.
   
7. Describe the functional anatomy of the heart and the vascular system and explain their functional roles in the human body.
   
8. Outline how the endocrine system is organized and explain the roles of the endocrine system in normal functioning of the body.