Anatomy & Physiology I: Course Syllabus and Core Concepts Study Guide

Study Guide - Smart Notes

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Course Overview

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the major concepts and homeostatic mechanisms necessary for understanding normal human physiology. It covers cellular function, feedback mechanisms, and the analysis of organ systems, with a focus on the properties and interrelationships of major organ systems and their role in maintaining homeostasis.

Course Structure and Requirements

Credits: 4
Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in BIOL 201
Recommended: Grade of "C" or better in BIOL 99, BIOL 110, or CHEM 100

Course Learning 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.

Grading Information

The course uses a standard grading scale to assess student performance.

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 (C or higher), N = No Credit

Textbooks

Mastering A&P with Pearson eText for Human Anatomy & Physiology
Human Anatomy & Physiology, 3rd edition, Author: AMERMAN

Key Academic Policies

Academic Integrity: Students must adhere to ethical standards and avoid academic misconduct.
Attendance: Regular attendance and participation are required for success.
Disability Services: Accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities.
Technology Use: Student email and online resources are to be used for academic purposes only.

Student Learning Objectives

Homeostasis and Fluid Compartments

Understanding homeostasis and the distribution of fluids in the body is fundamental to physiology.

Define the major fluid compartments: intracellular fluid (ICF), extracellular fluid (ECF), interstitial fluid, and plasma.
Describe the barrier that separates each of the following fluid compartments:
- Plasma/interstitial fluid
- Interstitial fluid/ICF
Construct a chart that characterizes ECF, plasma, interstitial fluid in terms of total solute concentration and key ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, HCO3-).
Define homeostasis and explain its role in maintaining body conditions.
Describe the components and operation of a negative feedback system: stimulus, sensor, effector, and response.
Apply the negative feedback model to physiological variables (e.g., body temperature, blood glucose).
Predict physiological responses to changes in regulated variables.
Classify variables as regulated or non-regulated.
Identify the set point, normal range, and effectors for major homeostatic variables.

Example: Regulation of blood glucose involves the pancreas (sensor and effector), insulin (effector hormone), and the liver/muscle (target tissues).

Cellular Mechanisms of Passive and Active Membrane Transport

Transport across cell membranes is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis.

Define the solute concentration gradients and the direction of net flux for Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+, and glucose.
Distinguish between passive (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion) and active transport (primary and secondary active transport).
Describe the role of membrane proteins in transport.
Explain the effects of osmolarity and tonicity on cells (hypotonic, isotonic, hypertonic solutions).

Example: The sodium-potassium pump (Na+/K+ ATPase) maintains the resting membrane potential by moving 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ into the cell against their concentration gradients.

Cellular Signaling Mechanisms

Cellular signaling allows cells to communicate and coordinate responses to stimuli.

Define receptor and signal transduction.
Contrast the cellular location of receptors for lipid-soluble and lipid-insoluble messengers.
Describe how receptors act as "switches" to initiate cellular responses.
Explain how a chemical messenger can produce different responses in various effectors.
Describe up-regulation and down-regulation of receptors and their effects on the cell.

Example: Epinephrine binds to adrenergic receptors, causing different effects in heart muscle (increased rate) and smooth muscle (relaxation).

Nervous System Outcomes

The nervous system uses electrical signals to coordinate rapid responses in the body.

Describe the resting membrane potential and the phases of an action potential: depolarization, repolarization, hyperpolarization.
Distinguish between graded and action potentials.
Identify the ion channels involved in generating action potentials: voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels.
Relate the opening and closing of these channels to the phases of the action potential.
Interpret action potential events on a graph, including threshold, depolarization, repolarization, and after-hyperpolarization.

Example: During an action potential, voltage-gated Na+ channels open first, causing depolarization, followed by opening of K+ channels, causing repolarization.

Key Terms and Definitions

Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.
Negative Feedback: A control mechanism that reduces the deviation from a set point (e.g., body temperature regulation).
Osmosis: The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
Resting Membrane Potential: The electrical potential difference across the plasma membrane of a resting cell, typically around -70 mV in neurons.
Action Potential: A rapid, temporary change in membrane potential that propagates along the membrane of a neuron or muscle cell.

Important Equations

Nernst Equation: Used to calculate the equilibrium potential for a particular ion:

Osmolarity Calculation:

Summary Table: Major Body Fluid Compartments

Compartment	Main Ions	Relative Volume
Intracellular Fluid (ICF)	K+, Mg2+, PO43-	~2/3 of total body water
Extracellular Fluid (ECF)	Na+, Cl-, HCO3-	~1/3 of total body water
Plasma	Na+, Cl-, proteins	~20% of ECF
Interstitial Fluid	Na+, Cl-	~80% of ECF

Additional info:

Some content was expanded for clarity and completeness, including definitions and examples.
Tables and equations were formatted for study purposes.