Physiology 2 for Dentistry Students

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2025-2026

Topic

The most important mission of the Physiology Course in medical education is to familiarize students with the attributes of healthy functions of the living organism.

While acquiring knowledge about the most important functional characteristics of the human body the students can rely on their prior studies in biology, biophysics, chemistry-biochemistry and anatomy.

During the semester we introduce the most important elements of functioning of the organs and organ systems, as well as their cooperation also required to adapting to the environment, and the factors affecting these processes.

Special emphasis is placed on the neural and humoral regulatory processes of these life-functions, which are vital to maintain and preserve the homeostasis of the organism.

With the transfer of all this knowledge we would like to mould a holistic attitude and thinking of students, which will enable them to better understand the functions of the now healthy, however, later dysfunctional human organism.

Lectures

• 1. Introduction. Regulation of the body's pH. - Péliné Kovács Anita
• 2. The hypothalamo-hypophyseal system. The neurohypophysis. - Lengyel Ferenc
• 3. Growth hormone and prolactin. - Péliné Kovács Anita
• 4. Synthesis and breakdown of steroid hormones. - László Bettina Réka (Csetényi)
• 5. Effects of glucocorticoids. - László Bettina Réka (Csetényi)
• 6. Physiological mechanisms of stress. - László Bettina Réka (Csetényi)
• 7. Endocrine secretion of the pancreas. - Kövesdi Erzsébet
• 8. Hormonal regulation of food intake and metabolism. Function of adipose tissue. Diabetes and obesity. - Kövesdi Erzsébet
• 9. Thyroid. - Péliné Kovács Anita
• 10. Regulation of calcium homeostasis. - Péliné Kovács Anita
• 11. Regulation of female reproductive function. - Kertes Erika
• 12. Male reproductive functions. Physiology of sexual intercourse, fertilization, and the physiology of pregnancy. - Lengyel Ferenc
• 13. Pregnancy. Childbirth and breastfeeding. Sexual and parental behavior. - Kertes Erika
• 14. Ontogenesis and growth. - Pál József
• 15. Puberty, menopause, and aging. - Pál József
• 16. Energy expenditure. Metabolism. - Tóth Attila
• 17. Body temperature. Fever. - Kertes Erika
• 18. Peripheral and central regulation of body temperature. - Kertes Erika
• 19. Introduction to the physiology of the nervous system. - Kovács Gergely
• 20. Function of the spinal cord. - Kovács Gergely
• 21. Cortical motor functions and the pyramidal system. - Kertes Erika
• 22. The extrapyramidal system, basal ganglia. - Kertes Erika
• 23. Function of the labyrinth and vestibular nuclei. - Kertes Erika
• 24. Function of the cerebellum. - Kertes Erika
• 25. The role of the brainstem in motor control. Postural coordination, righting. - Kertes Erika
• 26. Locomotion. - Kertes Erika
• 27. Somatosensory functions. Epicritic and protopathic sensations. Anatomy of the thalamus and somatosensory cortex. - Varga Csaba (Élettan)
• 28. Physiology of pain. Opioid mechanisms. - Varga Csaba (Élettan)
• 29. Optics. Refractive errors of the eye. - Sziládiné Fusz Katalin
• 30. Retinal mechanisms. Visual pathways, mesencephalic mechanisms. - Jandó Gábor
• 31. Central mechanisms of vision. Eye movements. - Jandó Gábor
• 32. Physiology of the auditory organ. Central nervous system mechanisms of hearing. - Henn-Mike Nóra
• 33. Chemical senses. Olfaction. Taste sensation. - Szabó István (Élettan)
• 34. Methods of examination of the central nervous system. EEG, evoked responses. - Varga Csaba (Élettan)
• 35. Regulation of wakefulness and sleep. biological rhythms. - Varga Csaba (Élettan)
• 36. The integrative role of the hypothalamus (motor, autonomic, and hormonal regulation). - Szabó István (Élettan)
• 37. Limbic system: anatomy, function, and dysfunctions. - Szabó István (Élettan)
• 38. Emotions. - Szabó István (Élettan)
• 39. Learning and memory I. - Péczely László Zoltán
• 40. Learning and memory II. Plasticity throughout life. - Péczely László Zoltán
• 41. Function of the frontal and parieto-temporal cortex, its lesions. - Pál József
• 42. Physiological mechanisms of thinking and speech. Hemisphere dominance. - Pál József

Practices

• 1. Examination of the renal functions: urinanalysis.
• 2. Examination of the renal functions: urinanalysis.
• 3. Measurement of the oxygen consumption in the rat and human.
• 4. Measurement of the oxygen consumption in the rat and human.
• 5. Endocrinology: examination of carbohydrate metabolism.
• 6. Endocrinology: examination of carbohydrate metabolism.
• 7. Endocrinology: reproduction, tests of pregnancy.
• 8. Endocrinology: reproduction, tests of pregnancy.
• 9. Seminar: basic neural functions.
• 10. Seminar: basic neural functions.
• 11. Examination of peripheral nervous system on nerve preparation.
• 12. Examination of peripheral nervous system on nerve preparation.
• 13. Examination of human peripheral nervous system: treshold potential, chronaxie, rheobase,
• 14. Examination of human peripheral nervous system: treshold potential, chronaxie, rheobase,
• 15. Basics of the neurophysiology and peripheral nervous system.
• 16. Basics of the neurophysiology and peripheral nervous system. Report.
• 17. Examination of reflexes in human.
• 18. Measurement of reaction time and action time in human.
• 19. Examination of somatosensoric system.
• 20. Examination of somatosensoric system.
• 21. Examinations of special senses: vision, hearing, equilibrium, taste and smell
• 22. Examinations of special senses: vision, hearing, equilibrium, taste and smell
• 23. Examinations of special senses: vision, hearing, equilibrium, taste and smell
• 24. Examinations of special senses: vision, hearing, equilibrium, taste and smell
• 25. Electroencephalography
• 26. Central nervous system and sensory organs. Report.
• 27. Discussion of the laboratory practices and oral report.
• 28. Discussion of the laboratory practices and oral report.

Seminars

Reading material

Obligatory literature

John E. Hall & Michael E. Hall: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (Elsevier), 14th Edition, 2020, ISBN: 0323597122 (Elsevier)

Literature developed by the Department

Figures of the lectures given are available on the homepage of Institute of Physiology and on the Neptun Meet Street.

Important messages on new information will be announced at the lectures and will be sent to you by course mails.

Please always find the current updated information and study materials on the homepage of the Institute of Physiology (physiology.aok.pte.hu).

Notes

Homepage of PTE ÁOK Institute of Physiology: Physiology Lab Practices 2, internet study material, printable notebook, 2024

Homepage of PTE ÁOK Institute of Physiology: Physiology Lab Practice Worksheets 2, internet study material, printable notebook, 2024

Recommended literature

Thomas M. Jessell Steven A. Siegelbaum: Principles of Neural Science, Sixth Edition, 2021, ISBN: 9781259642234 (McGraw-Hill)

Pocket Companion to Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (Guyton Physiology) 14th Edition by John E. Hall PhD, Michael E. Hall MD MSc. (2020)

Kim Barrett, Susan Barman, Jason Yuan, Heddwen Brooks Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, McGraw-Hill Education 26th Edition (2019)

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

To have the semester signed, students must pass the oral lab report on the 14th week at the time of their scheduled lab practice, where they have two chances to pass. Students with bonus points are not required to take the oral lab report on the 14th week. If the student has missed between 15 and 25% of the practical classes, an additional test question will be asked in the oral report.

Mid-term exams

Students have two written mid-term tests during the semester, where bonus points can be collected.

Making up for missed classes

The missed lab practice is advised to be covered by joining another group while the same topic is on schedule.

Exam topics/questions

Topics of questions for the theoretical exam: 

1. Principles of homeostatic regulations. 

2. Cellular transport processes. Humoral regulatory mechanisms. 

3. Body fluid compartments in humans, their definition, chemical composition. 

4. Significance of the inorganic and organic components of blood. 

5. Red blood cells. Hematocrit, anemia. 

6. Blood group systems. 

7. Physiological role of white blood cells. 

8. Platelets. Blood clotting. 

9. Membrane phenomena of excitation: equilibrium potential, electrotonic potential. 

10. Generation and propagation of action potentials. 

11. Electrophysiology and neurochemistry of synapses. 

12. Functioning of the neuromuscular junction. Regulation of motor unit function. 

13. Molecular mechanism of muscle function. Mechanics, energetics, and heat production of muscle function  

14. Electrical phenomena of muscle function, muscle tone, fatigue. Function of smooth muscles . 

15. Functioning of sensory neurons. 

16. Functioning of the autonomic nervous system. Adrenal medulla. 

17. Functions of the respiratory tract, pressure changes during respiration, respiratory mechanics. 

18. Respiratory function. Respiratory work. 

19. Gas exchange in the lungs and tissues. O2 and CO2 transport. 

20. Regulation of respiration. Acclimatization. 

21. Cardiac cycle. Formation and conduction of excitation. 

22. Electrocardiogram. 

23. Pressure and volume changes in the cardiac chambers. Heart sounds. 

24. Cardiac output. The work of the heart. Blood pressure, pulse. 

25. Basic hemodynamic concepts. 

26. Capillary circulation. Venous circulation. Lymphatic circulation. 

27. Circulatory regulation: short-term, nervous regulation of arterial blood pressure. 

28. Circulatory control: humoral and local control. 

29. Coronary circulation. Pulmonary circulation. 

30. The blood circulation of the brain, skeletal muscle, splanchnic region, and skin. Redistribution of blood flow. 

31. Digestive processes in the mouth. Swallowing. Motor functions of the stomach.  

32. Gastric secretion and its regulation. The exocrine pancreas. 

33. Digestion and absorption in the small intestine. 

34. Physiology of liver function. 

35. Role of the large intestine. Formation of feces, defecation. 

36. Basic principles of gastrointestinal system regulation. 

37. Nutrition: water, minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers. 

38. Functioning of the glomerulus. Blood flow in the kidney. 

39. Regulation of GFR and RBF. Quantitative characterization of kidney function . 

40. Renal tubular processes. 

41. Concentration-dilution in the kidney. Osmoregulation. 

42. Volume regulation. Mechanism of micturition. 

43. Regulation of the body's pH. 

44. The hypothalamo-hypophyseal system. The neurohypophysis. 

45. Growth hormone and prolactin. 

46. Function of the adrenal cortex: synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones. Mineralocorticoids and their effects. 

47. Effects of glucocorticoids. 

48. Physiological mechanisms of stress. 

49. Endocrine secretion of the pancreas. 

50. Hormonal regulation of food intake and metabolism. Function of adipose tissue. Diabetes and obesity . 

51. Thyroid gland. 

52. Regulation of calcium homeostasis. 

53. Regulation of female reproductive function. 

54. Male reproductive functions. Physiology of sexual intercourse, fertilization, and the physiology of pregnancy. 

55. Pregnancy. Childbirth and breastfeeding. Sexual and parental behavior. 

56. Ontogenesis and growth. 

57. Puberty, menopause, and aging. 

58. Energy expenditure. Metabolism. 

59. Body temperature. Fever. 

60. Peripheral and central regulation of body temperature. 

61. General features of the nervous system: organization and homeostasis of nervous system. 

62. Function of the spinal cord. Reflexes. 

63. Cortical motor functions and the pyramidal system. 

64. The extrapyramidal system, basal ganglia. 

65. Function of the labyrinth and vestibular nuclei. 

66. Function of the cerebellum. 

67. The role of the brainstem in motor control. Postural coordination, righting. 

68. Locomotion. 

69. Somatosensory functions. Epicritic and protopathic sensations. Anatomy of the thalamus and somatosensory cortex . 

70. Physiology of pain. Opioid mechanisms. 

71. Optics. Refractive errors of the eye. 

72. Retinal mechanisms. Visual pathways, mesencephalic mechanisms. 

73. Central mechanisms of vision. Eye movements. 

74. Physiology of the auditory organ. Central nervous system mechanisms of hearing. 

75. Chemical senses. Olfaction. Taste sensation. 

76. Methods of examination of the central nervous system. EEG, evoked responses . 

77. Regulation of wakefulness and sleep. biological rhythms. 

78. The integrative role of the hypothalamus (motor, autonomic, and hormonal regulation). 

79. Limbic system: anatomy, function, and dysfunctions. 

80. Emotions. 

81. Learning and its basic mechanisms 

82. Memory, memory functions, and neural structures related to memory Plasticity throughout life. 

83. Function of the frontal and parieto-temporal cortex, its lesions. 

84. Physiological mechanisms of thinking and speech. Hemisphere dominance. 

 

Questions for the student lab report: 

1. Amount, specific gravity and pH of the urine. 

2. Glycosuria: its causes and its detection. 

3. Examination of the urine sediment and evaluation of its results. 

4. Protein and pus in the urine: their causes and their detection. 

5. Measurement of the actual metabolic rate in human. 

6. Determination of blood glucose levels. 

7. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). 

8. Examination of estrus cycle in the rat. 

9. Tests of pregnancy: Latex probe, Test strip. 

10. The muscle-nerve preparation. Direct and indirect electric stimulation of the muscle. 

11. Examination of curare effect on a muscle-nerve preparation. 

12. The law of polar excitation. 

13. Examination of electrotonus. 

14. Pflüger’s laws. 

15. Measurement threshold, chronaxie and rheobase. 

16. Recording compound action potential, examination of summation. 

17. Determination of nerve refractory period. 

18. Measurement of nerve conduction velocity. 

19 Examination of reflexes in human. 

20. Examination of the somatosensory system (tactile, temperature and pain sensation). 

21. Measurement of reaction time and action time in human. 

22. Correction of refractive errors.

23. Examination of color vision. 

24. Examination of astigmatism. 

25. Examination of visual acuity. Examination of pupillary responses. 

26. Examination of visual field by means of perimetry. 

27. Audiometry. 

28. Examination of air and bone conduction (audible inspections). 

29. Examination of taste perception; examination of olfaction. 

30. Procedure of EEG examination, types and properties of EEG waves. 

Study material for the final exam is the sum total of information covered in the obligatory textbook, on the homepage of the Institute, as well as knowledge given at the lectures and lab practices.

Examiners

• Buzás Péter
• Buzásné Telkes Ildikó
• Cziger-Nemes Vanda Ágnes
• Jandó Gábor
• Kecskés Miklós
• Kertes Erika
• Kóbor Péter
• Környei József László
• Kovács Gergely
• Kövesdi Erzsébet
• László Bettina Réka (Csetényi)
• László Kristóf
• Lengyel Ferenc
• Mikó-Baráth Eszter
• Ollmann Tamás
• Pál József
• Péczely László Zoltán
• Péliné Kovács Anita
• Szabó István (Élettan)
• Sziládiné Fusz Katalin
• Szőcs Szilárd
• Tóth István Balázs
• Varga Csaba (Élettan)
• Zelena Dóra Tímea

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars

• Barabás Klaudia
• Henn-Mike Nóra
• KURZUSHOZ RENDELT OKTATÓ
• László Bettina Réka (Csetényi)
• Szőcs Szilárd
• Tóth István Balázs
• Varga Csaba (Élettan)