Description:

Basic concepts of systemic approach to the human organism. Functional organization of living systems. Integrated functions and importance of systems interesting biomedical technicians and engineers. Principles of experimental and investigative methods used in physiology and medicine. Examples of modern technological contributions to medicine.

Contents:

1 SYSTEMIC APPROACH TO THE HUMAN ORGANISM
Functional organization of living organisms. What is life? Thermodynamics of living systems; evolutionary and ecological aspects.
Biological transports: principles and classification. Bioenergetics.
From cell to organism: functional hierarchy and coordination in the human organism. Experimental approach and modelling.
Adaptation: physical and chemical parameters compatible with survival, concept of homeostasis.

2 EXCHANGES ? BASIS OF LIFE
Blood circulation and gas exchanges. Functional interrelationships and regulatory mechanisms. Ischemia, hypoxia, oxidative stress. Technological supports.
Assimilation and excretion.
Digestive motility: investigation (special lecture: from idea to clinical use).
Renal exchanges: transport of solutes and water. Hemodialysis.
Information processing: principles of intercellular communication.
Neural signals: origins, coding, propagation, storage, modulation.
Neuro-muscular system: from motor unit to speech.

3 INTEGRATIVE MECHANISMS
Homeostasis of vital parameters.
Adaptation to physical effort.
Behaviour: Introduction into cognitive functions. Man ? zoon politicon.

Seminar contents:

Two experimental sessions (4 hours):
1.Cell physiology: osmotic resistance of erythrocytes.
2.Human physiology: energy metabolism, ergometry.

Recommended literature:

Obligatory:

[1] P. Kucera: Documents and outlines distributed in advance to lectures.

[2] Lauralee Sherwood: Human physiology, From cells to Systems, 9th
edition, 2016. Can be downloaded free of charge (Academia.edu)

Recommended:

[3] W. Boron, E.L. Boulpaep Medical Physiology, 3d edition,
Elsevier 2016.

[4] A.C. Guyton, J.E. Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 13th edition,
Elsevier 2015.

Abbreviations used:

Semester:

• W ... winter semester (usually October - February)
• S ... spring semester (usually March - June)
• W,S ... both semesters

Mode of completion of the course:

• A ... Assessment (no grade is given to this course but credits are awarded. You will receive only P (Passed) of F (Failed) and number of credits)
• GA ... Graded Assessment (a grade is awarded for this course)
• EX ... Examination (a grade is awarded for this course)
• A, EX ... Examination (the award of Assessment is a precondition for taking the Examination in the given subject, a grade is awarded for this course)

Weekly load (hours per week):

• P ... lecture
• C ... seminar
• L ... laboratory
• R ... proseminar
• S ... seminar