BI 309

Comparative Animal Physiology

(wk1 Lec 2)
Introduction to Physiology
Learning outcome:

 What is Physiology?
 Understanding Physiology-
• Possible Components

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• Lecture timing

WEDNESDAY- 5-6 pm
at 010-111 lecture theater
FRIDAY- 1-2 pm

• Sign up lab and tutorial slots on moodle, if you

have not done yet.
Closing date: 6th March

• Both labs and tutorials start from next wk (wk2)

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General knowledge questions-

• How many organs in the human body?

• What are the latest organs discovery in the human
body?
 79 named organs
 Mesentery: Source:
https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/posting
A new organ discovered inside s/2017/01/mesentery%20.php
The mesentery is located in your
human body by scientists (and now abdomen and is responsible for holding
there are 79 of them) (3rd Jan, ‘17) your intestines in place.

Read these web links for more information

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/new-organ- Dutch doctors went from
mesentery-found-human-body-digestive-system-classified-
abdominal-grays-anatomy-a7507396.html cancer research to discovering
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/04/health/new-organ-
new salivary glands (Oct,20)
https://www.livescience.com/new-salivary-gland.html
mesentery/

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 What is
Physiology?

Discussing
Physiology
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Physiology is the study of functions of
living things-of how the body works, from
cell to tissue, tissue to organ, organ to
system and the organism as a whole
accomplishes particular tasks essential for
life.

https://www.pdfdrive.com/human-physiology-from-cells-to-systems-
d178802128.html (etext book)

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 Deeper Thoughts – Physiology ...

 attempts to bring together everything known about

an animal’s function to create an integrated picture
of how that animal operates in its environment

 is the basis for understanding adaptation, evolution,

animal behavior, social interaction, environmental
biology, climate change, molecular biology,
immunology, disease prevention & control,…

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Teaching & Learning Physiology
Taught in universities at elementary level –
freshman; advance level- juniors & seniors and
still more advance levels to graduate &
professional students of
Medical, Biomdical
Dental Rumen Physiology
Nursing, Lactation Physiology
Physiotherapy, Blood & Body fluids
Sport science Semen Biology

Veterinary
Course- theory; theory + lab or purely lab based
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• Students are expected to gain an understanding of
physiology.
UNDERSTANDING PHYSIOLOGY MEANS
Possible components
 Knowing “Facts”
 Vocabulary, Data, Concepts, Relationship
 Being able to solve problems.
 Being able to “do” physiology as an experimental science.
 Having the skill to carry out laboratory procedures.
 Being able to design experiments to study physiological
phenomena.
 Having
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ability to analyze certain problems physiologically. 8
Knowing facts

Example:
Moment-to-moment regulation of the arterial blood pressure
occurs via the baroreceptor reflex. The primary receptor for this
reflex, the baroreceptors, are stretch receptors in the walls of the
carotid arteries. Average normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg
in human being.

Fact: Short-term regulation of BP

Vocabulary: Artery, BP, Baroreceptors, Carotid, Reflex
Data: Systolic BP: 120 mmHg; Diastolic BP: 80 mm Hg
Concept : Cardiac function
Relationship: Stretch receptors activation and BP regulation
watch: baroreceptor reflex- animation
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 Class Activity
Write probable words/phrases that describe
Physiology of Memory
 Neurons
 Neurotransmitters
 Brain areas- Hippocampus, Amygdala, Associated structures
of cerebral cortex
 Short-term memory
 Long-term memory
 Amnesia- forgetfulness
 Neurons that fire together stay together
(list is not complete,
details we will learn in wk12/13)

Next wk tutorial class- more activities

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Knowing facts
A few examples
 Fight-fright-flight response is due to adrenalin secretion.
 Muscle contraction graph records Latent period,
Contraction period and Relaxation period.
 Sinoatrial node is the natural pacemaker of the heart.
 Based on EEG pattern, sleep is characterized by slow wave
sleep (80%) and rapid eye movement sleep (20%).
 Blood glucose level is homeostatically regulated by
pancreatic endocrine hormone both insulin & glucagon.
(next wk lab)

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 During the minute that it will take you to read this page

Your eyes will convert the

information on this page Your brain will send chemical
into electrical signals that messengers through your
will transmit to your brain. nerves to control your body.

Your heart will beat 70 times, You will breathe in and out
pumping 5 liters of blood to about 12 times.
your lungs and another
5 liters to the rest of your
body.
Your cells will consume 250 ml
Your kidneys will produce of oxygen and produce 200 ml
1 ml of urine. of carbon dioxide.

Your digestive system will

be processing your last meal You will use about 2 calories
for transfer into your of energy.
bloodstream.
Knowing facts
Physiology focuses on mechanisms of action
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Problem solving:
• Quantitative problems (calculate)
e.g. calculating glomerular filtration rate
Inulin is infused into vein and its concentration in the urine and
plasma are found to be 30mg/ml & 0.5mg/ml, resp. If the rate of
urine formation is 2ml/min, the GFR can be calculated as:

V (ml / min) xU (mg / ml)

GFR  GFR 
2 x30
 120ml / min
P(mg / ml) 0.5

• Qualitative problems (predict changes)

• Explain the causal relationship that lead to some change
– next slide
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 Excitation-Contraction coupling mechanism- A concept map
Curare-
Motor nerve AP
MN arrowhead
poison
OE Release of Ach (blocks Ach sites)

TR Diffusion of Ach Binding Ach to receptors

OV at neuromuscular
junction End plate Potential
RE
AP on Sarcolemma M
Facilitates Release of Ca++ from SR
U
Caffeine
S
cytoplasmic Ca++ conc. C
Problem solving: Dis-inhibition of troponin-tropomyosin L
E
Explains in steps Action of ATPase at crossbridge

Force generation or muscle contraction

In absence of calcium ions muscle relaxes

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 Kidney Control of Erythropoiesis

Kidney releases
2 Erythropoietin

1
Stimulus: Reduced O2- 3
carrying capacity Developing
RBCs
in red bone
Relieves
Problem solving marrow Erythropoietin
stimulus 5 abuse by some
athletes
4 cycling, cross
Increased O2- country skiing,
carrying capacity dangers of
increasing blood
viscosity

Erythrocytes Blood doping

Do & develop skill for lab
procedures

• How to use common

experimental apparatus
• To perform certain techniques

Design experiments
• Possible to manipulate nature
as a way of uncovering its laws

• Hypothesis testing- Post

graduate level
watch:
3/5/2021 Blood collection & blood smear preparation techniques 16
Summary

• Definition of Physiology

• Possible components of ‘understanding physiology’.

• You will apply in all lecture topics, lab

techniques, tutorials and exams.

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Next week (wk2)
Lecture: Concept of Homeostasis
Lab-1:Handout is posted on moodle (please read it and bring it either as a
hardcopy / download on laptop or any digital device)
Lab requirement: come for lab ontime with closed shoes on and lab coat
Lab reading:
• Text book chapter-1 page 7-19 and chapter 19 page 685-701
https://www.pdfdrive.com/human-physiology-from-cells-to-systems-
d178802128.html (etext book)
• Class notes
• Any web link on Glucose Homeostasis such as
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4231433/pdf/nihms639981.pdf

Tutorial-1 Separate Tutorial activity sheets are posted on Moodle

for different sessions. (bring specific tutorial sheet in your tutorial class)
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