SCI 332 Cellular and Molecular Physiology

Content

Physiology can be described as the dynamic study of life, i.e. the study of the vital functions of living organisms and their organs, cells and molecules. Basic physiological functions of organ systems are very common across animals. In this respect, human and animal physiology can be divided up to various degrees of reductionism, dealing with a range of subjects in the functioning of the body. As the latter depends on the functioning of individual organ systems, which depend on how the component cells function, which in turn depends on the interactions among subcellular organelles and molecules, the study of the functioning of the human body requires an integrated understanding of events on the level of molecules, cells and organs (Boron and Boulpaep, Medical Physiology, 2005).

In this cellular and molecular physiology course we will focus on the integrated functioning of individual cells. The aim of the course is to make you understand cellular physiological principles underlying the functioning of the human body, with special emphasis on physiology of the cell membrane, electric excitability and synaptic transmission of muscle and nerve cells.

In addition, knowledge of physiological research techniques and key scientific research will be enhanced by writing a scientific abstract and a lab report, by presenting and explaining the concepts in key journal articles to your fellow students and by visiting a research laboratory.

Instructor

Dr. Bert van Duijn

Track

Life Sciences

Period

Spring / 2012

Course Material

Boron W.F. and Boulpaep E.L., Medical Physiology, updated version, 2005, Elsevier Inc.

Prerequisites

The following courses are required in order to take this course:

• SCI 131 Introduction to Life Science
• SCI 232 Functional Anatomy
• SCI 234 Human Physiology
• SCI 231 Molecular Biology and Cell Biology