Course Overview

This course, HES 101 - Human Physiology, introduces students to the fundamental principles of human physiology, focusing on the study of body function and the mechanisms that maintain homeostasis. The course is designed for students in health and exercise science and related fields.

Instructor and Contact Information

• Instructor: Dr. Gina Whitaker, BSc Kinesiology, PhD

• Email: gina.whitaker@ubc.ca

• Office Hours: Tuesdays 10am–11am & Thursdays 11am–12pm (beginning in week 2)

• Lab TAs: Assigned to specific lab sections; contact info available on Canvas

Course Structure and Resources

The course includes lectures, laboratory activities, quizzes, and interactive participation using digital tools. Students are expected to engage with both in-class and online resources to maximize learning.

• Lecture Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30pm–1:50pm in COM 201

• Labs: Begin in week 3; students must attend their registered lab section

• Resources: Textbook, Mastering A&P, iClicker Cloud, LT Lab Software, Canvas course site

• Participation: iClicker questions in at least 80% of classes for full marks

Assessment Breakdown

• iClicker Participation: 5%

• Weekly Quizzes: 10%

• Midterm Exams: 14% (October) + 14% (November)

• Lab Activities and Attendance: 30%

• Final Exam: 27% (covers all material from the semester)

Core Themes in Human Physiology

Human physiology is the study of the function of the human body and its parts. The course emphasizes the relationship between structure and function, and the mechanisms that maintain a stable internal environment.

Key Definitions

• Anatomy: The study of form or structure of body parts.

• Physiology: The study of the function of body parts and the body as a whole.

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

Hierarchy of Organization

The human body is organized into a hierarchy of structural levels, each building upon the previous:

• Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules

• Cellular Level: Cells and their organelles

• Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells

• Organ Level: Contains two or more types of tissues

• Organ System Level: Organs that work closely together

• Organismal Level: All organ systems combined to make the whole organism

Homeostasis and Feedback Loops

Homeostasis is a central theme in physiology. The body uses feedback mechanisms to maintain internal stability.

• Negative Feedback Loop: A process that reverses a deviation from the set point; the most common mechanism for maintaining homeostasis. Example: Regulation of body temperature, blood glucose levels.

• Positive Feedback Loop: A process that amplifies a change; less common, but important in certain situations. Example: Childbirth (pressure of the baby on the cervix stimulates oxytocin release, which increases uterine contractions, further increasing pressure until delivery).

General Feedback Loop Structure

• Stimulus: Produces change in variable

• Receptor: Detects change

• Input: Information sent along afferent pathway to control center

• Output: Information sent along efferent pathway to effector

• Response: Effector feeds back to reduce the effect of stimulus and returns variable to homeostatic level (negative feedback) or enhances the effect (positive feedback)

Examples of Feedback Loops

• Negative Feedback Example: Blood glucose regulation by insulin and glucagon

• Positive Feedback Example: Blood clotting cascade, uterine contractions during labor

Tips for Success in Human Physiology

• Engage with all course resources (textbook, online modules, labs)

• Attend all lectures and labs

• Participate actively using iClicker and other interactive tools

• Stay organized and keep up with weekly modules

• Utilize office hours, TAs, and campus resources for support

Additional Info

• Course notes will be posted prior to class for students to follow along

• Students are encouraged to bring a notebook or tablet for note-taking

• iClicker Cloud is used for participation; instructions for setup are provided

• Lab activities are completed in groups; attendance and participation are required