Anatomy and Physiology I  - Lecture Objectives

The following is an outline of the major topics to be covered this semester. 
Additional terms and concepts will be covered in lecture and lab. 
  
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Introduction to the Human Body

Define Anatomy and Physiology
Describe each of the levels of structural organization that make up the human body
List and define the necessary life functions in humans
Define homeostasis
Describe how negative and positive feedback mechanisms help to maintain homeostasis. Give physiological examples.

 

Cellular Physiology

Describe the chemical composition and structure of the plasma membrane
Define the terms hydrophobic and hydrophilic
Describe the fluid-mosaic model of the cell membrane
Briefly describe the various functions of membrane proteins
Describe the function of the glycocalyx 
Examine the various methods of molecular transport through the cell membrane;  differentiate between active and passive processes
Describe simple diffusion and the variables affecting rate of diffusion
Describe facilitated diffusion, osmosis and filtration 
Define tonicity; Explain the movement of solute and solvent across cell membranes under hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic conditions
Differentiate between primary and secondary active transport
Differentiate between symport and antiport 
Differentiate between exocytosis and endocytosis (pinocytosis, phagocytosis & receptor mediated)
Describe the role of SNARE proteins in vesicular transport

Integumentary System

Explain how the skin is considered an organ 
Describe the histological characteristics of the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis
List and describe the four cell types of the epidermis
List and briefly describe the major layers (strata) of the epidermis
Describe the process of keratinization
Describe the papillary and reticular layers of the dermis 
Discuss the three pigments that contribute to skin color
Distinguish between albinism and vitiligo
Compare and contrast the following glands:
 
sebaceous, sweat (apocrine & eccrine) and ceruminous
List and briefly describe the functions of the skin
List the parts of a hair follicle and the functional relationship of the arrector pili muscle and sebaceous gland
Briefly describe the structure of nails
Distinguish between three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma

 

Skeletal System

Describe the structure of hyaline cartilage
Explain how cartilage grows (appositional and interstitial growth)
Discuss the functions of bone
Describe the chemical composition of bone
Differentiate between osteogenic cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts
Describe the structure of a long bone
Compare the histological characteristics of spongy bone and compact bone
Define ossification (osteogenesis)
Contrast the steps involved in intramembranous and endochondral ossification
Describe how a developing bone grows in length (growth pattern of the epiphyseal plate)
Explain how hormones and physical stress regulate bone remodeling
Explain the roles of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin on bone remodeling
Explain the roles of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin on bone remodeling
Describe the following disorders: osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets, acromegaly, pituitary dwarfism, gigantism, Paget's Disease, osteogenesis imperfecta

 

Nervous Tissue

List the basic functions of the nervous system
Describe the levels of organization within the nervous system
Describe the anatomical structures of a neuron and discuss their functions 
Define axoplasmic transport: anterograde movement versus retrograde movement
Describe the structural and functional classification of neurons
Describe the structure and functions of the various neuroglia:
 
astrocytes, ependymal cells, microglia, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells and satellite cells
Describe the structure and significance of the blood-brain barrier
Explain how a myelin sheath is formed and describe the significance of the nodes of Ranvier (neurofibral nodes)
Discuss axon regeneration in the PNS



Neurophysiology  

Describe the different types of ion channels (leak versus gated)
Define membrane potential
Describe how a cell's resting membrane potential (RMP) is generated and maintained:
  
discuss the role of the Na+-K+ pump and differential permeability of the membrane to Na+ and K+  
Compare and contrast graded potentials and action potentials
Define threshold potential
Explain how an action potential is generated, differentiating among   
 
polarization, depolarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization
Describe why an action potential is an all-or-none phenomenon 
Compare the propagation of action potentials in unmyelinated and myelinated axons (continuous versus saltatory conduction)
Describe the causes and symptoms of the disease Multiple Sclerosis
Define absolute and relative refractory periods
Define synapse
Distinguish between electrical and chemical synapses by structure and by the way they transmit information
Discuss the ways in which neurotransmitter effects are terminated
Distinguish between excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials 
Distinguish between spatial and temporal summation

 

Muscle Tissue

List the major functions of the muscular system
Describe the gross and microscopic structure of skeletal muscle
Differentiate between endomysium, perimysium, epimysium and fascicle
Describe the structure of the thin and thick filaments and the functions of their individual components
Explain the structure of a sarcomere
Describe the function of sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse (T) tubules
Describe the structure of a neuromuscular junction



Muscle Physiology

Examine the events involving neuromuscular transmission of the action potential
Describe the specific actions of acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase 
Describe Myasthenia gravis: causes, symptoms and treatments
Describe the causes and effects of Botulism
Explain the "sliding filament" theory of skeletal muscle contraction 
Explain the role of calcium and the calcium pump in relation to muscular contraction and relaxation
Define motor neuron, motor unit, and recruitment 
Define muscle tone and discuss the cause and function
Differentiate between isotonic and isometric contractions
Describe three ways in which ATP is regenerated during skeletal muscle contraction 
Define oxygen debt and muscle fatigue. List possible causes of muscle fatigue
Compare the structural and functional characteristics of the three types of skeletal muscle fibers (slow- and fast- fibers)



Central Nervous System (Spinal Cord) & Peripheral Nervous System
 

Describe the gross and microscopic structure of the spinal cord
Describe the functions of the spinal cord
Differentiate between ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) tracts
Describe how a spinal nerve connects to the spinal cord (roots) and the general distribution of its rami
Describe the structure of a spinal nerve plexus
List the four major plexuses 
Define a dermatome explain why the knowledge of dermatomes is important
Define a reflex and explain how reflexes can be classified
Define a reflex arc and list its five components
Distinguish between various kinds of spinal reflexes: stretch reflex, flexor (withdrawal) reflex and crossed extensor reflex
Distinguish between: ipsilateral and contralateral; monosynaptic and polysynaptic
 
 

Autonomic Nervous System

Explain how the autonomic and somatic nervous systems differ in form and function
Explain how the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions differ in general functions
Describe the motor pathways of these two divisions:  
  
Identify their site of origin
  
Name and locate their ganglia
Discuss the relationship of the adrenal glands to the sympathetic division
Distinguish between cholinergic and adrenergic fibers
 
 

Endocrine System

State the major functions of the endocrine system
List and locate the major endocrine organs in the human body
Define hormone, target organs, and hormone receptors
Differentiate between amino acid-based and steroid hormones
Compare the mechanisms of hormone action (steroid versus non-steroid)
Describe second messenger systems as they relate to amino acid-based hormone action
Explain how hormone release is regulated (humoral, neural and hormonal stimuli)
Describe the structural and functional relationship between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland 
List the hormones of the anterior lobe of the pituitary and their functions
List the hormones stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary and their functions
List the hormones produced by the adrenal glands (cortex and medulla) and their functions
List the hormones produced by the pancreas and their functions
List the hormones produced by the thyroid gland and their functions

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