Introduction to General Physiology

Functional Organization of The Human Body

and Control of The “Internal Environment”.
INTRODUCTION:

 The goal of physiology is to explain the

physical and chemical factors that are
responsible for the origin, development, and
progression of life.

 In human physiology, we attempt to explain

the specific characteristics and mechanisms
of the human body that make it a living being.

Introduction To Physiology 2
Cells as the living unit of life:

 RBC’s 25 trillion in each human body, most

abundant of any single type of cell in the
body.

 There are about 75 trillion additional cells of

other types.
ECF---The “Internal Environment”:
 60% of the human adult is fluid.
 ICF comprises of 2/3rd while ECF comprises of 1/3rd of the total
fluid.

 ECF is also called the Internal environment of the body, or milieu

interieur, a term introduced by French physiologist Claude
Bernard.
 Cells are capable of living, growing, and performing their special
functions as long as the proper conc of O2, glucose, different
ions, and other constituents are available in this internal
environment.

 ECF contains Na, Cl, HCO3, fatty acids, glucose, amino acids,
and CO2 and other waste while ICF contains K, Mg, and PO4
ions.

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“Homeostatic” mechanisms of the Major
Functional System

Homeostasis means maintenance of

nearly constant condition in the internal
environment.
 ECF transport and mixing system, The
Blood Circulatory System:

 ECF is transported through all parts of body in two

stages.

 All blood in the circulation traverse the entire

circulatory circuit an average of once each minute,
and as many as six times each minute.

 This process of diffusion is caused by kinetic motion

of the molecules in both the plasma and the
interstitial fluid.

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 ECF Transport & Mixing system,
The Circulatory System
 ECF transported through all
parts of the body in two stages:
1-movement of blood through
the body in blood vessels.
2- movement of fluid between
the blood capillaries & the
intercellular spaces between the
tissue cells.
Origin of Nutrients In the ECF:

 Respiratory system (0.4 to 2.0 µm thickness of resp.

memb.).

 Gastrointestinal tract.

 Liver and other organs (fat cells, GIT mucosa, Kidneys,

and endocrine glands) that perform primarily metabolic
functions.

 Musculoskeletal system.

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Removal of Metabolic End Products:
 Removal of CO2 by the lungs.

 Kidneys are responsible to remove urea and

uric acid and excess of water and ions. while
all glucose and amino acids are reabsorb.

Introduction To Physiology 9
Regulation of Body Functions:
 Nervous system. It is composed of three
major parts.

 Hormonal system of regulation.

 Reproduction.

Introduction To Physiology 10
Control system of the body:
 Genetic control system.

 With in the organ.

 Others operate throughout the entire body to control

the interrelations between the organs.

 E.g respiratory system operating in association with

nervous system, liver and pancreas etc.

Introduction To Physiology 11
Examples of control Mechanisms:

1-Regulation of O2 and CO2 Concentration in

ECF:
 Hemoglobin.

 Oxygen-buffering function of hemoglobin.

2- Regulation of Arterial Blood Pressure:

 Baroreceptor system.

 Vasomotor centre, sympathetic stimulation to

the heart and vessels.

Introduction To Physiology 12
Normal ranges and characteristics of
important ECF constituents:
 K( 4.2 mmol/l) decreases 1/3rd, person become paralyzed as a result of
nerves inability to carry signals.

 if increases to two or more times normal, the heart muscles are likely to be
severely depressed.

 If Ca conc (1.2) falls below one half normal tetanic contraction will occur bcoz
of spontaneous generation of excess nerve impulses in the peripheral nerve.

 When glucose conc become one half mental irritability will occur frequently.

Introduction To Physiology 13
Characteristics of control system:

1- Negative feedback nature of most control system.(O2

and CO2 regulation).

2- Positive feedback can sometime cause vicious cycle and

death.
when a person bled 2lit of blood, bld pressure decreases,
decreases coronary circulation leads to death.

Introduction To Physiology 15
Positive feedback can sometime be useful:

 Clotting.

 Childbirth.

 Generation of nerve impulse.

 In each case in which positive feedback is useful, the positive

feedback itself is part of an overall negative feedback process.
E.g in the case of blood clotting, the positive feedback clotting
process is a negative feedback process for maintenance of
normal blood volume.

 Also, the positive feedback that causes nerve signals allows the
nerves to participate in thousands of negative feedback nervous
control system.

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Summary:

 Extreme dysfunction leads to death.

 Moderate dysfunction leads to sickness.

Introduction To Physiology 17
 EXERCISE:
A TEST OF HOMEOSTATIC
CONTROL
Introduction To Physiology 19