Human Physiology Series

Anatomy versus Physiology, What’s the Difference?

Here’s an analogy that might help:  Instead of the human body, imagine you were going to learn how a car works.  First you would be taught what all the parts are called, what they look like and where they go.  That’s Anatomy.  After you have been acquainted with what the parts look like, then  you could learn what they do and how they function all together with the other parts.  That’s Physiology.

Just like the Anatomy Series, each level provides a foundation for the next…

Organic and Inorganic molecules

• Intro to Physio and Organic Molecules
• Carbohydrates
• Lipid
• Proteins
• Nucleic Acids
• Vitamins
• Minerals

Cellular respiration

• Anabolic and Catabolic Reactions
• Intro to Cellular Respiration: The Production of ATP
• How Glucose Levels are Regulated in the Blood Stream
• Cell Respiration Part 1: Anaerobic Respiration (Glycolysis and Fermentation)
• Cell Respiration Part 2: Aerobic Respiration (Transition Reaction & Kreb’s Citric Acid Cycle)
• Cell Respiration Part 3: Aerobic Respiration (Electron Transport System)
• The Catabolism of Fats and Proteins for Energy
• The Catabolism of Nucleic Acids
• Oxygen Debt

Basic Physiology Primers

• The Concept of a Reference Person
• Review of Cell Membrane Structure
• The Proteins Embedded in Cell Membranes
• Fluid Compartments within the Human Body
• Movement of substances across cell membranes
• The Principle of Homeostasis
• Regulation of Body Temperature
• Inflammation and the Pathophysiology of Fever
• The Menstrual Cycle

Neurophysiology (Biophysics)

• Review of the Nervous System
• Neurons in the Nervous System
• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
• Resting Cell Membrane Potential
• Hypokalemia
• Hyperkalemia
• Action Potential (Nerve Impulse)
• Electrical Refractory (Recovery) Period following an Action Potential
• Subthreshold, Threshold and Suprathreshold Stimuli
• Information and Action Potentials
• Conduction of the Action Potential along the Nerve Fiber
• Synapse and the Synaptic Transmission
  • Actions of Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurotransmitters
  • Examples of Neurotransmitters that are usually excitatory
  • Examples of Neurotransmitters that are usually inhibitory
    • Summary of the above three articles!
• Functional Organization of the Nervous System (april 3)

Endocrinology

• Endocrinology of the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland
• Hormones Secreted by the Anterior Pituitary Gland
  • Thyrotropin
  • Adrenocorticotropin Hormone (ACTH)
    • Stress and Cortisol
  • Prolactin
  • Growth Hormone
  • FSH and LH (Gonadotropic Hormones)
    • Birth Control
• Four Hormones Essential for Survival
• The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Reflex
  • Types of Hypertension

Cardiovascular Physiology

So… I didn’t end up finishing this series.  If you guys want me to continue, leave a comment please.

Supplemental

• How come people from very cold climates can visit LA in the winter and walk around in shirts and shorts?