ANP1105B: Basic Cellular Physiology & Anatomy of the Cardiovascular, Lymphatic & Respiratory Systems – Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

This course, ANP1105B, provides an introduction to the structural organization and physiology of the human body, with a focus on the cardiovascular, lymphatic, and respiratory systems. It covers cellular physiology, nerve and muscle function, homeostasis, and the autonomic and endocrine systems. The course is designed as an intensive 3-credit unit with weekly lectures and practical assignments.

Course Structure and Evaluation

• Exams: Three formal examinations covering different segments of the course.

• Assignments: Regular assignments via Mastering A&P platform.

• Final Grade Breakdown:

  • Exam 1: 25% (Structural organization, cellular physiology of nerve and muscle)

  • Exam 2: 25% (Homeostasis, autonomic and endocrine systems, blood and heart components)

  • Mastering A&P Online Homework: 10%

  • Final Exam: 40% (Blood vessels, hemodynamics, lymphatic and respiratory systems, integrative questions)

Textbook and Resources

• Required Textbook: Marieb Human Anatomy & Physiology (Hoehn, Haynes & Abbot, 12th edition, 2025, Pearson).

• Mastering A&P Access Code: Required for assignments and online resources.

• Lectures: Mondays (16:00–17:30) and Wednesdays (14:30–16:00) in CRX 240.

• Office Hours: Scheduled via Brightspace Zoom; times to be determined by class poll.

Main Topics and Subtopics

1. Introduction to Mastering A&P and Cells

This section introduces students to the course platform and the basic building blocks of the human body.

• Major Organelles and Structures: Summarize the key components found in body cells, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus.

• Tissues: Describe the four basic tissue types: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

2. Cellular Physiology of Nerve and Muscle

This topic explores the mechanisms of membrane transport and the physiology of neurons and muscle cells.

2.1 Membrane Transport

• Plasma Membrane Structure: The plasma membrane is a selectively permeable barrier composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

• Types of Transport: Includes passive (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion) and active (primary and secondary active transport) mechanisms.

• Osmosis: The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane; crucial for maintaining cell volume and homeostasis.

2.2 Neurons

• Neuron Regions: Dendrites (input), cell body (integration), axon (output).

• Electrical Activity: Resting membrane potential and action potentials are generated by ion gradients and membrane permeability.

• Propagation of Action Potentials: Influenced by axon diameter, myelination, and ion channel distribution.

• Synaptic Transmission: Involves neurotransmitter release, binding to post-synaptic receptors, and integration of signals.

2.3 Muscle

• Muscle Types: Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle, each with distinct structural and functional properties.

• Contraction Mechanism: Sliding filament theory; actin and myosin interaction powered by ATP.

• Comparison: Smooth muscle vs. skeletal muscle in terms of contraction speed, control, and fatigue resistance.

3. Homeostasis: Autonomic Nervous and Endocrine Systems

This section covers the body's regulatory systems that maintain internal stability.

3.1 Homeostasis

• Definition: The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.

3.2 Nervous System

• Somatic vs. Autonomic: Somatic controls voluntary movements; autonomic regulates involuntary functions.

• Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic: Sympathetic prepares for 'fight or flight'; parasympathetic supports 'rest and digest' activities.

3.3 Endocrine System

• Endocrine vs. Exocrine Glands: Endocrine glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream; exocrine glands release substances through ducts.

• Hormone Classes: Steroid, peptide, and amine hormones, each with distinct mechanisms of action.

• Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis: Central to hormonal regulation and feedback control.

4. Cardiovascular System

This unit examines the structure and function of the heart, blood, and blood vessels.

4.1 Blood

• Composition: Plasma (water, proteins, solutes) and formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets).

• Erythrocytes: Red blood cells specialized for oxygen transport via hemoglobin.

• Fibrinolytic System: Breaks down blood clots; major anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin.

• Blood Types: Classified by ABO and Rh antigens; important for transfusion compatibility.

4.2 The Heart

• Anatomy: Four chambers (right/left atria, right/left ventricles), valves, and associated vessels.

• Blood Flow Pathways: Pulmonary circuit (heart to lungs and back), systemic circuit (heart to body and back).

• Coronary Circulation: Supplies blood to the heart muscle itself.

• Cardiac Muscle Properties: Cardiac muscle cells are striated, branched, and connected by intercalated discs; they contract involuntarily and rhythmically.

• Electrical Properties: Autorhythmic cells generate action potentials; contractile cells respond to these signals.

• Intrinsic Conduction System: Includes the SA node, AV node, bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers; coordinates heartbeats.

• ECG (Electrocardiogram): Records electrical activity of the heart; P wave, QRS complex, and T wave correspond to different phases of the cardiac cycle.

• Cardiac Cycle: Sequence of events in one heartbeat, including systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation).

• Cardiac Output: $\text{Cardiac Output} = \text{Heart Rate} \times \text{Stroke Volume}$

• Regulation: Heart rate and stroke volume are regulated by neural, hormonal, and intrinsic mechanisms.

5. Blood Vessels and Hemodynamics

This section focuses on the types of blood vessels, blood flow, and pressure regulation.

• Arterial Vessels: Elastic arteries, muscular arteries, and arterioles; each type has unique structural and functional roles.

• Microcirculation: Involves arterioles, capillaries, and venules; site of nutrient and gas exchange.

• Capillary Types: Continuous, fenestrated, and sinusoidal capillaries differ in permeability.

• Veins and Venules: Return blood to the heart; have thinner walls and larger lumens than arteries.

• Blood Flow and Pressure: Blood flow is driven by pressure gradients and opposed by resistance.

• Peripheral Resistance: Determined by vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length.

• Blood Pressure Changes: Highest in arteries, drops across arterioles and capillaries, lowest in veins.

• Systolic/Diastolic Pressure: Systolic is peak pressure during ventricular contraction; diastolic is minimum during relaxation.

• Pulse Pressure: $\text{Pulse Pressure} = \text{Systolic Pressure} - \text{Diastolic Pressure}$

• Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP): $\text{MAP} = \text{Diastolic Pressure} + \frac{1}{3}(\text{Systolic Pressure} - \text{Diastolic Pressure})$

• Capillary Exchange: Governed by hydrostatic and osmotic pressures.

• Short-term Regulation: Neural (baroreceptors, chemoreceptors) and chemical (hormones) mechanisms.

• Long-term Regulation: Kidneys regulate blood volume and pressure via the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

• Autoregulation: Local control of blood flow in response to tissue needs.

6. Lymphatic and Respiratory Systems

These systems are covered in later weeks, focusing on immune function and gas exchange.

• Lymphatic System: Returns interstitial fluid to the bloodstream, absorbs fats, and provides immune defense.

• Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange, regulates blood pH, and is controlled by neural and chemical mechanisms.

• Respiratory Control: Involves the medullary respiratory centers, chemoreceptors, and higher brain centers.

• Factors Affecting Respiration: Hering-Breuer reflex, hypothalamic and cortical influences.

• Chemical Regulation: Monitors CO2, O2, and pH levels to adjust breathing rate and depth.

• Exercise Response: Respiratory adjustments during physical activity.

Key Equations and Definitions

• Cardiac Output: $\text{CO} = \text{HR} \times \text{SV}$

• Pulse Pressure: $\text{PP} = \text{SP} - \text{DP}$

• Mean Arterial Pressure: $\text{MAP} = \text{DP} + \frac{1}{3}(\text{SP} - \text{DP})$

• Blood Pressure: $\text{BP} = \text{CO} \times \text{PR}$ (where PR = peripheral resistance)

Additional Info

• Assignments and exams are scheduled throughout the term; see course website for details.

• Supplemental and deferred exams are available under specific conditions.

• Mastering A&P is essential for course participation and assessment.