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PY1.1-7 | Introduction to General Physiology
Learning Objectives
- Describe the structure and functions of a cell, its organelles, and the cell membrane (PY1.1)
- Describe and discuss the physiology of body fluids and their compartments (PY1.2)
- Describe the principles of transport across cell membranes — passive (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion) and active transport (PY1.3)
- Describe and discuss the concept of homeostasis and the role of different organ systems in maintaining it (PY1.4)
- Describe the composition and functions of blood and body fluids (PY1.5)
- Describe the principles of pH regulation and buffer systems in the body (PY1.6)
- Describe the physiology of bone and calcium metabolism (PY1.7)
INSTRUCTIONS
This module covers the foundations of physiology — the cell as a living unit, body fluid compartments, membrane transport, and homeostasis. These concepts underpin EVERY organ system you'll study for the next five years. We start with what you already know from NCERT Biology and build upward.
Parallel connections: In Anatomy, you're learning anatomical terminology — the language of describing where structures are. In Biochemistry, you're studying proteins, lipids, and enzymes — the very molecules that make up the cell membrane and drive every transport process you'll learn here. The three subjects converge: Anatomy shows you WHERE things are, Biochemistry shows you WHAT they're made of, and Physiology shows you HOW they work.
References
- Guyton & Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th ed., Chapters 1–4: Functional Organisation, Cell, Body Fluids, Transport (textbook)
- Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed., Chapters 1–2 (textbook)
- OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, Chapters 3 (Cell), 26 (Fluids & Electrolytes) (textbook (CC BY 4.0))
- Sembulingam & Sembulingam, Essentials of Medical Physiology, 9th ed., Chapters 1–3 (textbook)
Version 2.0 | NMC CBUC 2024, Adapted from OpenStax A&P 2e (CC BY 4.0)