Denise Lim

BIO 5 Human Physiology

This course is an introduction to the functions of the healthy human body. Emphasis is on the underlying chemical basis of cells, tissues, organs, and body systems. This course examines general physiological principles, specific body systems, and the integration of multiple body systems.

 

BIO 5 Syllabus

Study Guide (Word doc, PDF)

Learner Outcomes Standards

Notes for first lecture

LEARNER OUTCOMES (At the end of the semester, you should be able to...)

1.    Use a repertoire of physiological and anatomical terminology with accuracy.

2.    Apply concepts of chemistry to physiological systems.

3.    Describe and apply basic cellular metabolic processes common to all cells.

4.    Describe with detail the functioning of specific body systems at both the cellular level and at the system level and predict a body system's response to changes in homeostasis.

5.    Apply your understanding of the individual body systems to interactions between multiple body systems.

6.    Collect and analyze physiological data using computer-interfaced physiographs and standard laboratory equipment. Relate laboratory experience and observations to conceptual information from lecture.

Here are my standards for these outcomes. They will download as a PDF document.

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A Note from the Instructor

Function and Process

What is the difference between function and process? Learning to make this distinction is an important skill for you to acquire as you study physiology.

"The function of a physiological system or event is the "why" of the system or event: why does the system exist and why does the event happen? This way of thinking of a subject is called the teleological approach to science. For example, the teleological answer to the question of why red blood cells transport oxygen is "because cells need oxygen and red blood cells bring it to them." This answer explains the reason blood cells transport oxygen but says nothing about how the cells transport oxygen.

In contrast, physiological processes, or mechanisms, are the "how" of a system. The mechanistic approach to physiology examines process. The mechanistic answer to the question "Why do red blood cells transport oxygen?" is "Oxygen binds to hemoglobin molecules contained in the red blood cells ." This very concrete answer explains exactly how oxygen transport occurs but says nothing about the significance of oxygen transport to the intact animal.

Students often confuse these two approaches to thikning about physiology.... Staying aware of the two approaches will help prevent confusion. "

(modified from Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach, pg. 3. D. U. Silverthorn 5th ed

Exams

There will be a total of four lecture exams.  Exams will be multiple choice, with each question having only one correct answer.  The orange Parscore Scantron answer sheet and a #2 pencil will be needed for all lecture exams. These are available at the Cabrillo College Bookstore. You will need a four-digit code number of your choice for identification purposes. Please make sure that you remember it!

Exams will be based on lectures and the material described in the Study Guide. The Study Guide is based on the lecture notes and is designed to help you direct your reading. The amount of emphasis placed on each topic in exams will be reflected by the amount of emphasis placed on a topic in lecture. 

Each exam, including the last exam, will be a unit exam.  The last exam will not be comprehensive.

If you miss an exam due to extenuating circumstances (such as car wrecks, hospitalization, death in the family), you must contact me within 24 hours to arrange a make-up. If you do not contact me, you will receive a zero. Vacation plans are NOT extenuating circumstances!

Grading

Grading criteria for the Laboratory portion of the class will be explained in the lab syllabus.

Final grades will be based on a modified curve.  You are guaranteed at least the following percent scale:

There is no extra credit. I don't give any, do not ask.Cheating and plagiarism will result in immediate dismissal from the course with the grade F.

 

READING ASSIGNMENTS

The text chapters listed in the schedule correspond with that day's lecture.  The material should at least be skimmed before coming to lecture, such as reading the paragraph headings and looking at pictures and diagrams.  Detailed reading should be directed by the Study Guide. Only the material covered in the Study Guide will be included on exams.

 

If you have an older edition of the textbook, copies of the most current edition are on reserve at the Cabrillo Library. If you are unable to purchase the textbook immediately because you are waiting for financial aid, please come see me.

 

TEXTBOOK WEBSITE:

The Physiology Place at http://www.aw-bc.com/physiologyplace/

This web site is provided by the current publisher, Pearson/Benjamin Cummings, and I HIGHLY recommend you using it. If you bought your textbook new, an access code can be found in the front of the book. If you bought your textbook used, check to see if the access code has been used. If it has, a subscription can be purchased online for $35 (click the "Buy Access" button). The Physiology Place includes both PhysioEx, which we will be using in lab, and Interactive Physiology, which is an excellent study tool. It also includes review questions and practice quizzes. I will not be using any exam questions directly from these web sites, but they can provide a good basic review. PURCHASE OF A SUBSCRIPTION IS NOT REQUIRED.