Description:

This is an introduction to the dynamic functions of the human organism from the chemical and molecular mechanisms that sustain cellular processes through the control systems responsible for homeostasis and the influence of these systems on the cellular function of organ and systems operation. Laboratory investigation using selected biochemical and physiological preparations allows correlation of theory with experimental observations. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Describe, either orally or on a written exam, the basic components of the cell, their functions and roles in the operation of the cell.
2. Relate the functions of the nervous and endocrine systems to the maintenance of a stable internal environment in the human body.
3. Describe, orally or on a written exam, the organ composition of each system in the human body and explain the molecular-cellular function of that system's component tissues and organs.
4. Recognize and demonstrate productive attitudes and work habits in the laboratory.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Basic Cell Functions
   A. Cell structure
      1. Describe the microscopic structure of cells.
      2. List the cell organelles and explain the function of each.
   B.Chemical composition of the body
     1. Atoms and molecules
         a. Describe the general structure of atoms and molecules.
         b. Explain the meaning of ions/polar molecules.
         c. Describe water solutions and explain solution concentrations.
         d. Explain the relationship between hydrogen ions concentration
and pH.
      2. Classes of organic molecules
         a. List and describe the classes of organic molecules, including:
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and mixed classes of organic
molecules.
         b. Give examples of the different ways these molecules contribute
to the body's structure and function.
   C. Molecular control mechanisms-DNA and protein
      1. Genetic information
         a. Describe the elements of DNA and RNA.
         b. Explain the meaning of genetic code and describe its source.
      2. Protein synthesis
         a. Describe in detail the processes of transcription and
translation.
         b. List the factors that regulate protein synthesis in human
cells.
      3. Replication and expression of genetic information
         a. Explain the processes of DNA replication and its relationship
to cell division and differentiation.
         b. Explain what is meant by mutation and describe its
relationship to the development of cancer.
         c. Explain the meaning of recombinant DNA as a recent
contribution to health care issues.
   D. Energy and cellular metabolism
      1. Energy
         a. Explain the meaning of chemical energy and describe its source
in the human body (ATP).
         b. Describe the processes of energy activation, including aerobic
and anaerobic pathways that yield energy in the human body, including
glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, glyconeogenesis,
deamination/transamination of amino acids, Cori cycle and beta oxidation
of fatty acids.
   E. Movement of molecules across cell membranes
      1. Membrane structure
         a. Describe the structure of the cell membrane.
         b. Explain the how each of the cell membrane components
contribute to its function.
      2. Transport through the cell membrane.
         a. Diffusion
            1) Describe the main factors that determine the magnitude,
direction and rate of diffusion.
            2) Explain how diffusion occurs through lipid bilayer and the
protein channels of the cell membrane.
         b. Mediated transport systems
            1) Explain the concept of mediated transport.
            2) Distinguish between facilitated diffusion and active
transport.
            3) Osmosis
               a) Describe the osmosis process and the effect of
electrolyte concentration on the direction and the rate of osmosis.
               b) Explain the meaning of solution tonicity, including
hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic solutions.
      3. Bulk transport
         a. Explain the principles of endocytosis and exocytosis.
         b. Give examples for each of the above phenomena.
         c. Describe the membrane junctions and explain epithelial
transport.
         d. Describe the process of secretion by glands and relate this
process to bulk transport.
   F. Homeostasis
      1. General characteristics of homeostatic control
         a. Explain the meaning of acclimatization.
         b. Describe the process of biological rhythms and its
relationship to aging.
      2. The balance concept and chemical homeostasis
         a. Distinguish between equilibrium and homeostasis.
         b. Explain the importance of homeostasis for the living cell .
      3. Components of homeostatic systems
         a. Explain the role of reflexes and local responses in
maintaining homeostasis.
         b. Describe the role of chemicals as messengers in regulating the
body's homeostasis.
      4. Receptors
         a. Describe the receptor-operated channels.
         b. Explain the roles of adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP.
         c. Explain the role of calcium as a “second messenger.”
         d. Describe the relationship between cyclic AMP and calcium as
well as other second messengers.

II. Body Systems
   A. Nervous system
      1. Structure of the nervous system
         a. Describe the physiological structure of neurons.
         b. Explain the meaning of blood-brain barrier.
      2. Membrane potentials
         a. Explain the basic principles of electricity.
         b. Describe the properties of a resting cell.
         c. Distinguish between graded potentials and action potentials.
      3. Synapses
         a. Describe the functional anatomy of synapses.
         b. Explain the process of activating the postsynaptic cell.
         c. Explain the meaning of synaptic effectiveness.
         d. Explain the meaning of neurotransmitter and  list selected
number of these chemicals.
         e. Describe the process of modification of synaptic transmission
by drugs and disease.
      4. Receptors and processing of afferent information
         a. Explain the meaning of receptors as part of the sensory
nervous system.
         b. Define the sensory units.
         c. List and explain the basic characteristics of sensory coding.
      5. Patterns of neural activity: the flexion reflex
         a. Describe the different components of the reflex arc. 
         b. Explain the meaning of “reflex time” and “central delay.”
   B. Muscular system
      1. Explain the molecular mechanisms of contraction.
      2. Describe the mechanics of muscle contraction.
      3. List the sources of energy for muscle contraction.
      4. List the steps of muscle fiber differentiation and growth.
      5. Define and distinguish between different the types of skeletal
muscle fibers.
      6. Describe the different behaviors of whole muscle contractions.
      7. Compare the structure and mechanism of contraction of the smooth
and skeletal muscle.
   C. Circulation
      1. Blood
         a. List the different components of plasma.
         b. Describe the role and function of cellular elements of the
blood.
      2. Heart
         a. Describe the mechanisms of heartbeat coordination.
         b. List and explain mechanical events of the cardiac cycle.
         c. Define the cardiac output.
         d. Describe ECG and explain its importance as a diagnostic tool.
      3. Integration of cardiovascular function:  regulations of  systemic
arterial pressure
         a. Describe the different ways of controlling contractivity.
      4. Cardiovascular patterns in health and disease
         a. List and describe some of the cardiovascular disorders,
including hemorrhage and hypotension, hypertension and heart attack and
atherosclerosis.
         b. Describe the relationship between exercise and the
cardiovascular system.
      5. Homeostasis 
         a. Describe the process of platelet plug formation.
         b. Trace the steps of blood coagulation.
         c. Explain the causes of hemophilia and intravascular
thrombosis.
   D. Defense mechanisms of the body:  Immunology, foreign chemicals and
stress
      1. Immunology
         a. Describe effector cells of the immune system.
         b. Compare and contrast non-specific immune response and specific
immune response.
         c. Describe the role of blood types in transfusion reactions.
         d. List the factors that alter the body’s resistance to
infection.
         e. Describe allergy (hypersensitivity reactions).
         f. Define autoimmune diseases and list examples.
         g. Describe the role of the lymphatic system.
      2. Metabolism of foreign chemicals
         a. Describe the process of absorption and list the factors that
regulate its rate.
         b. List and describe the storage sites for foreign chemicals.
         c. Explain the process of excretion.
         d. Define biotransformation.
      3. Resistance to stress
         a. Describe the functions of cortisol in stress.
         b. Explain the functions of the sympathetic nervous system in
stress.
   E. Respiratory system
      1. Describe the process of ventilation and lung mechanics.
      2. Describe the steps involved in exchange of gases in alveoli and
tissues.
      3. Explain the method of O2-transport and CO2-transport.
      4. List and describe the different ways for controlling respiration
      5. Define hypoxia.
      6. Describe the non-respiratory functions of the respiratory
system.
   F. Renal system
      1. Basic principles of renal physiology
         a. Explain the basic renal processes. 
         b. Define micturition.
      2. Regulation of sodium, chloride and water balance
         a. Describe the methods of controlling sodium excretion: and its
effect on the regulation of extracellular volume.
         b. Describe the relationship of ADH secretion and extracellular
volume.
         c. Explain the renal regulation of extracellular osmolarity.
      3. Regulation of potassium, calcium and hydrogen ion concentrations
         a. Describe the role of the kidney in controlling the
concentration of these chemicals in the body.
         b. List the consequences of abnormal concentrations of these
chemicals in the body.
   G. Endocrine system
      1. Explain the phenomenon of hormone-target-cell specificity.
      2. Describe the chemical structure of hormones and the steps of
their synthesis.
      3. Explain the role of hormones in several body functions, including
transport, metabolism and excretion.
      4. Define the different mechanisms of hormone action.
      5. Describe the process behind the control of hormone secretion.
      6. List the control systems that regulate hormone secretion,
including hypothalamus and pituitary.
   H. Digestive system
      1. Functions of the gastrointestinal organs
         a. List the steps involved in digestion and absorption.
         b. List some examples of pathophysiology abnormalities in the
gastrointestinal tract.
   I. Reproduction system
      1. Male reproduction physiology
         a. Describe spermatogenesis.
         b. Explain the hormonal control of male reproductive functions.
      2. Female reproduction physiology
         a. List the ovarian functions.
         b. Define the control mechanisms of ovarian function.
         c. List the uterine changes in the menstrual cycle.
         d. Identify the non-uterine effects of estrogen and
progesterone.
         e. Describe the role of androgens in women.
         f. Explain the basic physiology of pregnancy.
      3. Chronology of sex development
         a. Describe sex determination.
         b. Define sex differentiation and list its steps.

III. Attitudes and Work Habits
   A. Identify and develop positive attitudes toward tasks and fellow
students appropriate for the laboratory, including giving and accepting
criticism and praise.
   B. Identify and develop productive work habits, including attending to
detail, completing tasks, maintaining the lab setting and recording data.
   C. Identify and develop collaborative/teamwork skills, including
solving problems in groups, building consensus and responding to
supervision.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Test grades                                   60%-90% of grade
Quizzes, varied lab and homework assignments  10%-40% of grade
         
Percentages will vary according to number of each of the above.

Computerized Literacy Expectations: Students will need basic word
processing and Internet searching skills for the completion of some
papers, exercises and projects.

Caveats:

1. Students entering the laboratory should be aware that they may be in close contact with potentially hazardous chemicals and equipment. The students should conduct themselves in a manner to minimize such hazards. Goggles, gloves and other safety devices will be used when appropriate.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.