At the end of the course in physiology the MBBS students will be able to:

·         Demonstrate basic knowledge on the normal functions of human body and apply it as a background for clinical subjects.

·         Explain normal reactions to environment and homeostatic mechanism.

·         Interpret normal function with a view to differentiate from abnormal function.

·         Demonstrate knowledge & skill for performing and interpreting physiological experiments.

·         Develop knowledge and skill to proceed to higher studies and research in physiology in relation to need and disease profile of the country.

·         Develop sound attitude for continuing self-education to improve efficiency & skill in physiology.

List of Competencies to acquire:

·         Describe transport across the plasma membrane, the basis of resting membrane potential, thegenesis and propagation of action potentials. Explain muscle excitation and contraction.

·         Describe the heart and circulation and how the circulatory system functions as a dual pump anddual circulatory system with the knowledge of properties of cardiac muscle, cardiac cycle,hemodynamics, heart rate and blood pressure.

·         Explain respiratory processes with the knowledge of structures, ventilation, diffusion, blood flow,gas transport, mechanics of breathing, and control of ventilation.

·         Identify how the kidney plays an important role in the maintenance of homeostasis by regulatingboth the composition and volume of ECF compartment.

·         Explain how the brain works at the neuronal systems level. The role of electrical & chemicalsignals in information transmission & processing. Brain circulation, metabolism, neurotransmitterrelease & receptors,

·         Describe the physiological mechanism underlying sensory perception, motor control &maintenance of homeostasis as well as higher cortical functions. Understanding autonomicnervous system.

·         Describe endocrine physiology: describe the synthesis, secretion, functions & mechanism ofaction of the endocrine hormones.

·         Explain human reproduction, functional changes in the reproductive tract, the formation of sperm& ovum, fertilization & hormonal regulation of fertility, role of hormones in pregnancy,parturition & lactation.

·         The students will be able to equip themselves with adequate knowledge and develop skill forperforming physiology laboratory tests and interpreting these normal functions with a view todifferentiate from abnormal conditions. such as

ü  Measurement of blood pressure

ü  Examination of radial pulse.

ü  Recording & analysis of normal ECG (electrocardiogram)(12 Lead).

ü  Auscultation of heart sounds, breath sounds & bowel sound.

ü  Estimation of Hb concentration.

ü  Estimation of total count of red blood cell (RBC).

ü  Estimation of total and differential count of white blood cell (WBC).

ü  Determination of bleeding time & clotting time.

ü  Determination of blood grouping & cross matching.

ü  Determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

ü  Determination of packed cell volume.

ü  Measurement of pulmonary volumes & capacities.

ü  Examination of urine for volume, specific gravity/osmolarity and water diuresis.

ü  Elicitation of reflexes (e.g., knee jerk, ankle jerk, planter response, biceps jerk, triceps jerk).

ü  Recording of body temperature.

ü  Elicitation of light reflex.

ü  Interpretation of Snellen’s chart and colour vision chart.

ü  Conduction and interpretation of Rinne test.

ü  Conduction and interpretation of Weber test