VICTORIA UNIVERSITY PHYSIOLOGY COURSE WORK
1. States of Brain Activity – Sleep, Brain Waves, Epilepsy
a. Describe two types of sleep; explain basic theories of sleep; describe the
emergence and origin of brain waves
b. Distinguish epilepsies;
c. Define schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia
d. Describe parts of the limbic system and the activation-stimulating brain
system; to describe the functions of the hypothalamus
e. Explain the importance of reward and punishment in behavior
f. Describe the functions of the hippocampus and the amygdala
2. The Autonomic Nervous System; Disorders of Neurovegetative
Regulation
a. Describe the general organization of ANS:
i. Describe the structure of the sympathetic nervous system: preganglionic
and postganglionic neurons
ii. Describe the organization of the parasympathetic nervous system:
preganglionic and postganglionic neurons
b. Describe cholinergic and adrenergic fibers
c. Describe adrenergic and cholinergic receptors and their functions;
d. Describe the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation of
certain organs: the eye, the glands, the digestive system, the heart, the
blood vessels, the blood pressure
e. Describe the function of the adrenal gland medulla
f. Explain sympathetic and parasympathetic tone
g. Describe autonomous reflexes
h. Describe the alarming reaction of the sympathetic system
i. Describe ANS control; name the etiological factors of the neurovegetative
disorder; explain the concepts of primary and secondary ANS disorders
j. Describe disorders of circadian rhythms; describe sleeping disorders –
awakeness
k. Explain the concept of psychosomatic disease
l. Describe chronic fatigue syndrome.
3. Case Study
JB, an 77 -year-old male, was diagnosed with stage III non-small cell carcinoma of
the lung. There was no evidence of metastasis on computed tomography (CT)
scans at the time of diagnosis. Even so, doctors treated his cancer aggressively
with surgical removal of the tumor followed by radiation therapy. One year following
his cancer diagnosis and treatment, JB complained of extreme fatigue, cold
intolerance, headache, mental confusion, and visual disturbances. He experienced a
severe fall, and was admitted to the hospital. Upon admission, blood tests revealed
that JB's TSH and TH levels were low. In addition, he had elevated blood calcium
levels as well as elevated PTH levels. He was prescribed levothyroxine (synthetic
TH) and prednisone (a glucocorticoid). A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
examination of his brain and spinal cord revealed slight abnormalities.
[Link] AKASO MPS
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY PHYSIOLOGY COURSE WORK
Doctors concluded that JB suffered from metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung
that had spread to his pituitary gland. The lesions in his pituitary protruded
superiorly, which compressed nerves in his optic chiasm, thus causing his visual
disturbances. It is likely that his altered consciousness and sudden onset of
headache were caused by bleeding into the subarachnoid space surrounding his
brain. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors performed an MRI of his head before and
after administration of a contrast material. The MRI showed evidence of thickening
of the infundibulum, enlargement of the pituitary gland, and enlargement of the
third ventricle. There also was evidence of hypothalamic involvement. A biopsy was
deemed too risky, and JB died just 3 weeks after his initial hospital admission.
Answer the following questions regarding JB's case:
a. Describe how a tumor in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland could lead to
lowered levels of TSH and TH. Be sure to identify which cells are responsible
for secreting each hormone, and describe feedback mechanisms that
regulate their release
b. Justify JB's cold intolerance and fatigue given lowered levels of TSH and TH.
Be sure to state specifically how TH influences metabolism and temperature
regulation.
c. Discuss the pros and cons of prednisone administration. Be sure to address
specific targets of glucocorticoids, and positive and negative effects of the
drug.
d. Are there any other hormones whose effects may be altered by a tumor in
the hypothalamus and pituitary gland? If so, state which hormones may be
altered, and discuss possible symptoms associated with altered levels of each
hormone.
4. Case study
IVY, 28, and MI, 30, have been together for three years. A year ago, they decided
they wanted to have a baby, and they stopped using birth control. At first, they
did not pay attention to the timing of their sexual activity in relation to IVY’s
menstrual cycle, but after six months passed without IVY becoming pregnant,
they decided to try to maximize their efforts. They knew that in order for a
woman to become pregnant, the man’s sperm must encounter the woman’s egg,
which is typically released once a month through a process called ovulation.
They had also heard that for the average woman, ovulation occurs around day
14 of the menstrual cycle. To maximize their chances of conception, they tried to
have sexual intercourse on day 14 of IVY’s menstrual cycle each month. After
several months of trying this method, Isabella is still not pregnant. She is
concerned that she may not be ovulating on a regular basis because her
menstrual cycles are irregular and often longer than the average 28 days. MI is
also concerned about his own fertility. He had some injuries to his testicles
(testes) when he was younger, and wonders if that may have caused a problem
with his sperm. IVY calls her doctor for advice. Dr. Bush recommends that she try
taking her temperature each morning before she gets out of bed. This
temperature is called basal body temperature (BBT), and recording BBT
throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle can sometimes help identify if and when
[Link] AKASO MPS
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY PHYSIOLOGY COURSE WORK
they ovulate. Additionally, Dr. Bush recommends she try using a home ovulation
predictor kit, which predicts ovulation by measuring the level of luteinizing
hormone (LH) in the urine. In the meantime, Dr. Bush sets up an appointment for
Mr. MI to give a semen sample, so that his sperm may be examined with a
microscope.
Questions:
1. Why might sexual intercourse on day 14 of IVY's menstrual cycle not necessarily
be optimal timing to achieve a pregnancy?
2. Why is IVY concerned about her irregular and long menstrual cycles? How could
tracking her BBT and LH level help identify if she is ovulating and when?
3. Why do you think IM is concerned about past injuries to his testes? How might an
analysis of his semen help assess whether he has a fertility issue and, if so, the
type of issue?
[Link] AKASO MPS