Cardiac physiology
The purpose of the heart is for the left ventricle to pump blood around the systemic circulation to perfuse organs and tissues, and for the right ventricle to pump blood…
Gas transport
Every minute at rest the human body consumes about 200 mL of oxygen (O2) and produces about 200 mL of carbon dioxide (CO2). Oxygen Forms of oxygen carriage and haemoglobin…
Respiratory physiology
The respiratory system serves to ensure that all tissues receive the O2 they need and can dispose of the CO2 they produce. Lungs exchange gases with atmosphere via the nasal…
Structure of the respiratory system
The respiratory tract extends from the lips and nostrils to the alveoli of the lungs (Figure 23.1). It comprises a network of conducting and respiratory airways allowing air to pass…
Neuromuscular transmission
Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialised synapse between motor neurones and skeletal muscle, which enables nervous control of skeletal muscle contraction. At the NMJ, the neurone…
Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary actions such as breathing, the regulation of cardiac contractions, blood pressure control, gastrointestinal secretions and motility, control of pupil diameter, sweating, bladder control and…
Synaptic transmission
Nervous activity involves the spread of electrical charge via the generation and propagation of action potentials. Communication between neurones is predominantly via chemical transmission at synapses, in which an impulse…
Nervous conduction
Extracellular [K+] essentially determines resting membrane potential (Vm) and ensures that excitation occurs at an appropriate time (Chapter 18). Excitation forms the basis of nervous conduction and also ensures the…
Medical genetics
Genetic disease is a common cause of illness and even death. Approximately 3% of babies are affected by a genetic disease. Genetic diseases can be considered to be caused by…
