physiology
physiology
Introduction
Faculty of nursing
Zagazig university
Dr / Ahmed Raafat
physiology
Introduction
Physiology: is the science that studies the normal functions of the living healthy
tissues, discovers and explains the physical, chemical and biological factors which
affect these functions.
Disease = Deviation from the normal.
The basic living unit of the body is the cell.
Certain cells are specialized and adapted to perform a particular function,
grouped together by intercellular supporting structure to form a tissue e .g
epithelium, connective, muscular and nervous tissues.
Group of tissues perform specific function is called organ e.g. liver.
A number of organs form a system
All systems form the living body.
cells tissues organs systems body
FROM CELL TO BODY
Cell
The basic unit of life
Tissue
Group of cells working together
Organ
Group of tissues working together
Organ System
Group of organs working together
Body
Many systems working together
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Systems of the body:
1) Gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
2) Cardiovascular system (CVS).
3) Respiratory system.
4) Locomotor system.
5) Urinary system.
6) Reproductive system.
7) Endocrine system.
8) Nervous system.
Characteristics of life
The living body can perform the following processes which indicate signs of life
1) Nutrition: food intake, digestion and absorption.
2) Respiration: gas exchange ie O2 utilization by the cells and CO2 elimination
from the vicinity of the cells.
3) Metabolism: chemical reactions that occur after food absorption and energy
transformation.
4) Excretion: get rid of waste products.
5) Growth: increase in the number and size of the cells.
6) Movement.
7) Excitability: ability of living cells to respond to adequate stimulus.
Stimulus: change in the environment of the living tissue.
8) Reproduction: cells multiply to maintain the species.
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(Inside cells)
Intracellular
40%
Body fluids Interstitial fluid (15%)
(60% of weight)
(outside cells)
extracellular
Plasma (5%)
20%
Homeostasis: It is the process by which the physical and chemical composition of
internal environment of the body is kept constant.
It includes the following examples:
Keep the pH of body fluid constant = 7.4 = Acid base balance.
Keep glucose concentration constant =90-100 mg % = Glucose homeostasis
Keep blood calcium constant =9-11 mg % =calcium homeostasis.
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Regulation of body functions
There are two control systems in the body:
Nervous control Is a rapid mechanism, the Neuron is its structural unit and
the reflex action is its physiological unit
Chemical control via : Hormones, enzymes, vitamins and minerals.
The most important chemical control is hormones
thus the main control systems in the body are:
Nervous control Endocrine control
Mediated by nervous system mediated by hormones
Rapid onset slow onset
Short duration long duration
e.g. contraction of muscles e.g. metabolism & growth
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