Anatomy & Physiology I: Course Structure, Learning Outcomes, and Key Concepts

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to the major concepts and homeostatic mechanisms necessary for a fundamental understanding of normal human physiology. Students will explore cellular membrane function, feedback mechanisms, and the properties and interrelationships of major organ systems. The course includes both lecture and laboratory components.

• Credits: 4

• Prerequisites: "C" in BIOL 201

• Recommended: "C" or better in BIOL 99, BIOL 110, or CHEM 100

Course Learning Outcomes

General Outcomes

• Summarize the general mechanisms that describe how body structures interact to maintain homeostasis.

• Summarize the mechanisms by which homeostasis of specific variables are maintained.

• Evaluate the response of physiological systems to changes in the internal and external environments.

Student Learning Objectives

Homeostasis and Fluid Compartments

Students will learn the mechanisms that maintain homeostasis among fluid compartments of the body.

• Fluid Compartments: Intracellular fluid (ICF), extracellular fluid (ECF), interstitial fluid, and plasma.

• Barriers: Describe the barriers that separate each of the following fluid compartments.

• Plasma Constituents: Construct a chart that characterizes ECF, plasma, interstitial fluid in terms of solute concentrations (e.g., Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, HCO3-).

• Osmosis: Define osmosis and tonicity (ICF, plasma, ECF).

• Negative Feedback: Describe the function of each component of a negative feedback system: stimulus, sensor, effector, integrator, and response.

• Examples: Provide examples of negative feedback regulation.

• Physiological Responses: Predict physiological responses to a specific regulated variable that rises above or falls below set point.

Membrane Transport

Students will evaluate the solute concentration gradients and membrane transport mechanisms.

• Types of Transport: Passive and active transport mechanisms (e.g., diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport).

• Examples: Transport of ions and molecules such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, HCO3-, and glucose.

• Diffusion: Define and describe the process of diffusion and factors affecting its rate.

• Osmosis: Define osmosis and describe its role in fluid balance.

• Active Transport: Describe the role of ATP in active transport mechanisms.

• Clinical Application: Predict changes in cell volume and tonicity in response to solutions: hypotonic, isotonic, hypertonic.

Cellular Signaling Mechanisms

Signal Transduction

Students will explain the process of signal transduction and its role in cellular communication.

• Receptor Types: Define and describe cellular location of receptors for lipid-soluble and lipid-insoluble messengers.

• Second Messengers: Explain how a chemical messenger can produce different responses in various effectors.

• Up-Regulation/Down-Regulation: Describe these processes and their effects on the cell.

Nervous System Outcomes

Electrical Phenomena and Action Potentials

Students will predict changes in cellular electrical phenomena if specific plasma electrolytes are abnormal.

• Resting Potential: Describe the resting potential (membrane potential).

• Action Potential: Describe the phases: depolarization, repolarization, hyperpolarization.

• Membrane Transport Proteins: Relate the following to resting potential:

  • Na+ leak channels

  • K+ leak channels

  • Na+/K+ ATPase

• Action Potential Phases: Relate the following to the graphed phases:

  • Depolarization

  • Repolarization

  • Hyperpolarization

• Voltage-Gated Channels: Relate the following membrane events to a graph of an action potential:

  • Open voltage-gated Na+ channels

  • Close voltage-gated Na+ channels

  • Open voltage-gated K+ channels

  • Close voltage-gated K+ channels

Grading Information

The following table summarizes the grading scale used in the course:

Percentage	Grade	GPA
100.00-93.00	A	4.00
92.99-90.00	A-	3.67
89.99-87.00	B+	3.33
86.99-83.00	B	3.00
82.99-80.00	B-	2.67
79.99-77.00	C+	2.33
76.99-73.00	C	2.00
72.99-70.00	C-	1.67
69.99-67.00	D+	1.33
66.99-63.00	D	1.00
62.99-60.00	D-	0.67
59.99-00.00	F	0.00

Additional Grades: X = Audit, I = Incomplete, W = Withdrawal, P = Pass (grade of C or higher), N = No Credit

Key Terms and Concepts

• Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

• Negative Feedback: A control mechanism in which a change in a physiological variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change.

• Osmosis: The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration.

• Membrane Potential: The electrical potential difference across a cell membrane, important for nerve and muscle function.

• Action Potential: A rapid change in membrane potential that propagates along the membrane of a neuron or muscle cell.

• Signal Transduction: The process by which a cell converts one kind of signal or stimulus into another.

Example Equations

• Nernst Equation: Used to calculate the equilibrium potential for an ion: $E_{ion} = \frac{RT}{zF} \ln \left( \frac{[ion]_{out}}{[ion]_{in}} \right)$

• Osmotic Pressure: $\Pi = iMRT$

Textbook Information

• Main Text: Mastering A&P with Pearson eText for Human Anatomy & Physiology

• ISBN-13: 9780134827418

• Additional Text: Human Anatomy & Physiology, 3rd edition, Author: Amerman

Additional Info

• Course Delivery: Online

• Instructor: Faith Vruggink

• Office Location: 1306 Schwarz

• Office Hours: Monday 10:30–1:30, Wednesday 10:00–1:30, Tuesday & Thursday 2:00–3:30