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Physiology 1

Data

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

Course director

Number of hours/semester

lectures: 70 hours

practices: 56 hours

seminars: 0 hours

total of: 126 hours

Subject data

  • Code of subject: OAA-EL1-T
  • 9 kredit
  • General Medicine
  • Basic modul
  • autumn
Prerequisites:

OAA-BI2-T finished , OAA-MB2-T finished

Course headcount limitations

min. 5 – max. 220

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. The significance of physiology in medicine. The concept of homeostasis. Homeostatic regulation. - Zelena Dóra Tímea
  • 2. Cellular transport processes. - Varga Csaba (Élettan)
  • 3. Humoral signaling pathways in the body. Ligands and receptors. Signal transduction. - Varga Csaba (Élettan)
  • 4. The body fluids of the human organism, their measurement, and chemical composition. - Péczely László Zoltán
  • 5. The inorganic and organic components of blood. - Péczely László Zoltán
  • 6. Red blood cells, hematocrit, anemia. - Péczely László Zoltán
  • 7. Blood group systems. - Péczely László Zoltán
  • 8. The physiological role of white blood cells - Péczely László Zoltán
  • 9. Blood clotting I. - Péczely László Zoltán
  • 10. Blood clotting II. - Péczely László Zoltán
  • 11. The resting membrane potential of the cell. - Jandó Gábor
  • 12. The formation and propagation of action potential. - Jandó Gábor
  • 13. The propagation of action potential in nerve fibers. The classification of peripheral axons. - Jandó Gábor
  • 14. Neurotransmission: the functioning of synapses. - Jandó Gábor
  • 15. The functioning of the neuromuscular junction. Electromechanical coupling. - Barabás Klaudia
  • 16. The molecular basis of muscle function; the role of calcium in muscle contraction. - Barabás Klaudia
  • 17. The mechanics and energetics of muscle function, heat production, fatigue. - Kecskés Miklós
  • 18. Regulation of muscle strength, the motor unit, types of skeletal muscle fibers. - Kecskés Miklós
  • 19. The electrical phenomena of muscle function, electromyography, muscle tone. - Barabás Klaudia
  • 20. The function of smooth muscle. A comparison of muscle types. - Barabás Klaudia
  • 21. The functioning of sensory neurons. - Varga Csaba (Élettan)
  • 22. The autonomic nervous system I. - Varga Csaba (Élettan)
  • 23. The autonomic nervous system II. - Varga Csaba (Élettan)
  • 24. The biology and functions of the respiratory system, pressure changes during respiration - László Kristóf
  • 25. Respiratory mechanics, respiratory function, respiratory work. - László Kristóf
  • 26. Gas exchange in the lungs and tissues. - László Kristóf
  • 27. Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport in the blood. Causes and types of hypoxia. - László Kristóf
  • 28. The chemical regulation of respiration. - László Kristóf
  • 29. The regulation of respiration: peripheral and central nervous system mechanisms. Respiratory regulatory reflexes.  - László Kristóf
  • 30. The structural and functional characteristics of cardiac muscle, its cellular electrophysiology. - Jandó Gábor
  • 31. The basics of electrocardiography. - Jandó Gábor
  • 32. The analysis of an electrocardiogram. - Jandó Gábor
  • 33. The mechanical cardiac cycle: pressure and volume changes in the heart chambers. Heart sounds I. - Jandó Gábor
  • 34. The mechanical cardiac cycle: pressure and volume changes in the heart chambers. Heart sounds II. - Jandó Gábor
  • 35. The fundamentals of cardiac muscle mechanics, the Frank-Starling law of the heart. - Jandó Gábor
  • 36. The basics of hemodynamics and hemorheology. The hemodynamical characteristics of different vascular segments. - Jandó Gábor
  • 37. The measurement of cardiac output and its determining factors. The Guyton diagram. - Jandó Gábor
  • 38. The functioning of the arterial system. Blood pressure, pulse. - Jandó Gábor
  • 39. The physiology of the capillary circulation. - Jandó Gábor
  • 40. The venous and lymphatic circulation. Formation of edema. - Jandó Gábor
  • 41. Circulatory regulation: local regulation of blood flow. - László Kristóf
  • 42. Circulatory regulation: short-term, neural control of arterial blood pressure. - László Kristóf
  • 43. Circulatory regulation: the humoral and long-term control of blood pressure. - László Kristóf
  • 44. The work and metabolism of the heart, the coronary circulation. - László Kristóf
  • 45. Pulmonary circulation. Causes and types of hypoxia. - László Kristóf
  • 46. Characteristics of cerebral blood circulation, the cerebrospinal fluid. - László Kristóf
  • 47. The blood circulation of skeletal muscle, splanchnic region, and skin. Redistribution of blood flow. - László Kristóf
  • 48. Clinical highlights from the physiology of circulation. - Horváth Iván Gábor
  • 49. The mechanisms of acclimatization. Physiology of aviation, space travel, and deep-sea diving. - Környei József László
  • 50. The functions of the gastrointestinal system. The digestive processes in the mouth, swallowing. - Környei József László
  • 51. The digestive processes of the stomach I. - Környei József László
  • 52. The digestive processes of the stomach II. Exocrine pancreas. - Környei József László
  • 53. Small intestine: digestion and absorption I. - Buzásné Telkes Ildikó
  • 54. Small intestine: digestion and absorption II. - Buzásné Telkes Ildikó
  • 55. Physiology of liver function I. - Lengyel Ferenc
  • 56. Physiology of liver function II. - Lengyel Ferenc
  • 57. Functions of the colon. Defecation. - Lengyel Ferenc
  • 58. Principles of regulating the gastrointestinal system. - Lengyel Ferenc
  • 59. Nutrition: water, minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers I. - Kertes Erika
  • 60. Nutrition: water, minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers II. - Kertes Erika
  • 61. The renal glomerular function. - Kovács Gergely
  • 62. Renal blood flow. Regulation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow (RBF). - Kovács Gergely
  • 63. Quantitative characterization of renal function. - Kovács Gergely
  • 64. Tubular transport processes I. - László Kristóf
  • 65. Tubular transport processes II. - László Kristóf
  • 66. Tubular transport of NaCl and water, establishment of medullary osmotic gradient. - László Kristóf
  • 67. Concentration and dilution of urine, osmoregulation. - László Kristóf
  • 68. Volume regulation. Regulation of potassium balance. - László Kristóf
  • 69. Function of the urinary tract. Regulation of micturition. - László Kristóf
  • 70. Clinical highlights from the physiology of the kidney. - Molnár Gergő Attila

Practices

  • 1. Getting acquainted with the laboratory. General information, schedules. Personal- and equipment safety rules. Animal care regulations.
  • 2. Examinations of blood I.
  • 3. Examinations of blood I.
  • 4. Examinations of blood I.
  • 5. Examinations of blood I.
  • 6. Examinations of blood II.
  • 7. Examinations of blood II.
  • 8. Examinations of blood II.
  • 9. Examinations of blood II.
  • 10. Examinations of blood III.
  • 11. Examinations of blood III.
  • 12. Examinations of blood III.
  • 13. Examinations of blood III.
  • 14. Examinations of blood IV.
  • 15. Examinations of blood IV.
  • 16. Examinations of blood IV.
  • 17. Examinations of blood IV.
  • 18. Introduction: transport through cell membrane, membrane potentials, action potentials, neuromuscular junction
  • 19. Work stations for electrophysiological registrations. Experiments on muscles using computer simulation
  • 20. Experiments on muscles using computer simulation
  • 21. Experiments on muscles using computer simulation
  • 22. Experiments on muscles using computer simulation
  • 23. Examination of fatigue. Electromyography.
  • 24. Examination of fatigue. Electromyography.
  • 25. Examinations of respiration.
  • 26. Examinations of respiration.
  • 27. Examinations of respiration.
  • 28. Examinations of respiration.
  • 29. The heart and circulation I.
  • 30. The heart and circulation I.
  • 31. The heart and circulation I.
  • 32. The heart and circulation I.
  • 33. The heart and circulation II.
  • 34. The heart and circulation II.
  • 35. The heart and circulation II.
  • 36. The heart and circulation II.
  • 37. The heart and circulation III.
  • 38. The heart and circulation III.
  • 39. The heart and circulation III.
  • 40. The heart and circulation III.
  • 41. The heart and circulation IV.
  • 42. The heart and circulation IV.
  • 43. The heart and circulation IV.
  • 44. The heart and circulation IV.
  • 45. The heart and circulation V.
  • 46. The heart and circulation V.
  • 47. The heart and circulation V.
  • 48. The heart and circulation V.
  • 49. Gastrointestinal tract.
  • 50. Gastrointestinal tract.
  • 51. Gastrointestinal tract.
  • 52. Gastrointestinal tract.
  • 53. Discussion of the laboratory practicies and oral report.
  • 54. Discussion of the laboratory practices and oral report.
  • 55. Discussion of the laboratory practices and oral report.
  • 56. 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

Slides 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 1, internet study material, printable notebook, 2024

Homepage of PTE ÁOK Institute of Physiology: Physiology Lab Practice Worksheets 1, internet study material, printable notebook, 2024

Recommended literature

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)

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

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 examination: 

1. Homeostasis and principles of homeostatic regulation. 

2. Cellular transport processes. 

3. Ligands and receptors, signal transduction. 

4. The cell's resting membrane potential. 

5. Formation of action potential in nerve and muscle cells. 

6. Propagation of the action potential in nerve fibers. Classification of peripheral axons. 

7. Neurotransmission: function of synapses. 

8. Function of sensory neurons. 

9. General characteristics of the autonomic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system. Autonomic afferents. 

10.  General characteristics of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system. Adrenal medulla. 

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

12.  Inorganic and organic components of blood. 

13.  Red blood cells, hematocrit, anemia. 

14.  White blood cells (leukocytes) physiological role, blood picture. 

15.  Blood group systems. 

16.  Blood coagulation I: Primary hemostasis and properties of platelet. 

17.  Blood coagulation II: Secondary hemostasis. Mechanisms inhibiting blood clotting. Fibrinolysis. 

18.  Function of the neuromuscular junction. Electromechanical coupling. 

19.  Molecular basis of muscle function; the role of calcium ions in muscle contraction. 

20.  Mechanics, energetics, heat production, and fatigue of muscle function. 

21.  Muscle force regulation, the motor unit, types of skeletal muscle fibers. 

22.  Electrical phenomena of muscle function, electromyography, muscle ton.e 

23.  Smooth muscle function. Comparison of muscle types. 

24.  Biology and functions of the airways, pressure changes during breathing, dead spaces. 

25.  Respiratory mechanics, respiratory function, respiratory work. 

26.  Gas exchange in lungs and tissues. 

27.  O2 and CO2 transport in the blood, causes and types of hypoxia. 

28.  Chemical regulation of respiration. 

29.  Peripheral and central nervous system mechanisms of respiratory control. Respiratory control reflexes. 

30.  Structural and functional properties of cardiac muscle, cellular electrophysiology. 

31.  Basics of electrocardiography: The pacemaker and conduction system of the heart. Generation of theelectrocardiogram. 

32.  Analysis of the electrocardiogram: The 12-lead ECG recording. Analysis of the ECG. Determination of the electricalaxis. 

33.  The mechanical cardiac cycle: pressure and volume changes in the heart chambers. Heart sounds. 

34.  Basics of cardiac muscle mechanics, the Frank-Starling law of the heart. 

35.  Basics of hemodynamics and hemorheology. Hemodynamic characterization of individual blood vessels. 

36.  Measurement and determining factors of cardiac output. The Guyton diagram (ventricular and systemic vascularfunction curve). 

37.  The function of the arterial system. Blood pressure, pulse. 

38.  Physiology of capillary circulation. 

39.  The venous and lymph circulation. Edema formation. 

40.  Circulatory regulation: local regulation of blood flow. 

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

42.  Circulatory control: humoral and long-term control of blood pressure. 

43.  The work and metabolism of the heart, circulation of the coronary arteries. 

44.  Pulmonary circulation. Causes and types of hypoxia. 

45.  Characteristics of cerebral blood circulation and cerebrospinal fluid. 

46.  Blood circulation of skeletal muscle, splanchnic area and skin. Redistribution of circulation. 

47.  Functions of the gastrointestinal system. Digestive processes in the mouth. Swallowing. 

48.  Digestive processes of the stomach: motor functions of the stomach .

49.  Digestive processes of the stomach: gastric secretion and its regulation. The exocrine pancreas: secretion andregulation. 

50.  The small intestine: digestion and absorption I. Characteristics of the functioning of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle,adaptation of the circulation of the intestinal canal to the function. 

51.  The small intestine: digestion and absorption II. The surface of the small intestine and its function, digestion andabsorption of nutrients. 

52.  Physiology of liver function I. Blood supply of the liver, functional units, bile production, role of bile acid salts. The gallbladder. 

53.  Physiology of liver function II. The role of the liver in metabolism. The fate of bilirubin, jaundice. Other functions of the liver. 

54.  Functions of the large intestine. Passage of stool. 

55.  Basic principles of the regulation of the gastrointestinal system. 

56.  The basic principles of proper nutrition: nutritional requirements, protein requirements, dietary fibers, body mass index. 

57.  Nutrition: water, mineral salts, vitamins, regulation of iron turnover. 

58.  Glomerular filtration: factors that determine the quantity and quality of the filtrate. 

59.  Renal blood flow. Regulation of GFR and RBF. 

60.  General characterization of epithelial transport processes in renal tubules. 

61.  Tubular reabsorption and secretion. Renal clearance. 

62.  Renal tubular transport processes of organic substances: glucose, amino acids, ketone bodies, proteins, uric acid,urea, UBG. 

63.  Tubular transport processes of NaCl and water, establishment of medullary osmotic gradient. 

64.  Concentration and dilution of urine, osmoregulation. 

65.  Volume regulation (regulation of Na+ balance and extracellular fluid volume). 

66.  Regulation of the K+ homeostasis. 

67.  The function of the urinary tract. Regulation of micturition. 

Questions for the student lab report: 

1.  How to use workstations for electrophysiological registrations? 

2.  The muscle-nerve preparation. Direct and indirect electric stimulation of muscle-nerve preparation. Examination of the effect of curare on a muscle-nerve preparation. 

3.  Examination of muscle mechanics: registration of single twitch, minimum and maximum stimulus thresholds of muscle contraction, superposition, incomplete and complete tetanus. 

4.  Effect of load (strain) and fatigue on muscle contraction. 

5.  Examination of fatigue in humans. 

6.  Electromyography on humans. 

7.  Hematocrit. 

8.  Red blood cell counting. 

9.    Mean size of red blood cells. 

10.  Reticulocyte counting. 

11.  White blood cell counting. 

12.  Differential leukocyte count. 

13.  Estimation of platelet count.

14.  Erythrocyte sedimentation rate 

15.  Determination of osmotic resistance 

16.  Determination of hemoglobin concentration 

17.  MCV, MCH, MCHC values 

18.  Bleeding time. Clotting time. 

19.  Prothrombin time 

20.  Antikoagulants 

21.  Blood group determination (AB0 and Rh typing) 

22.  Respiratory pressure and volume changes: Donders model 

23.  Pulmonary function tests: volumes and capacities of the human lungs 

24.  Pulmonary function tests: dynamic parameters of respiration. 

25.  Measurement of maximal respiratory pressures (The experiments of Müller and Valsalva). 

26.  Measurement of isolated rat lung compliance. 

27.  Recording of heart beats "in situ"; Effect of thermal stimulations. 

28.  Electric stimulation of heart and demonstration of extrasystole. 

29.  Investigation of pacemakers and electric conduction system of heart (Ligatures of Stannius). 

30.  Summation and the Bowditch's "All or nothing" law. 

31.  Effect of ions on the isolated heart. 

32.  Effect of adrenalin and acetylcholine on the isolated heart. 

33.  Loewi-experiment: neurohumoral transmission. 

34.  Electrocardiography (ECG): the ECG leads and the normal electrocardiogram. 

35.  Phonocardiography (PCG). 

36.  Percussion and auscultation of the thorax. 

37.  Examination of the arterial pulse. 

38.  Measurement of blood pressure in human. 

39.  Exercise physiology and physical fitness index. 

40.  Direct measurement of blood pressure; variations in the blood pressure; carotis sinus reflex; stimulation of the vagalnerve. 

41.  Direct measurement of blood pressure: investigation of the effects of adrenalin and acetylcholine; Depressor-reflex;Loven-Reflex; Effects of asphyxia. 

42.  Circulation in the peripheral blood vessels (Trendelenburg); Examination of circulation in zebrafish. 

43.  Examination of the saliva: pH. digestive effects of alpha-amylase. 

44.  Gastric juice: Determination of BAO, MAO, PAO. 

45.  Bile: detection of bile pigments. 

46.  Feces: Detection of blood.

Study material for the semester 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

  • Barabás Klaudia
  • 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
  • Marosné Berta Beáta
  • Mikó-Baráth Eszter
  • Ollmann Tamás
  • Pál József
  • Péczely László Zoltán
  • Péliné Kovács Anita
  • Szabó István (Élettan)
  • Sziládiné Fusz Katalin
  • Szőcs Szilárd
  • Tóth Attila
  • Tóth István Balázs
  • Varga Csaba (Élettan)
  • Zagorácz Olga
  • Zelena Dóra Tímea

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars

  • Barabás Klaudia
  • Henn-Mike Nóra
  • Hormay Edina Emőke
  • Jandó Gábor
  • Kertes Erika
  • Kóbor Péter
  • Környei József László
  • KURZUSHOZ RENDELT OKTATÓ
  • László Bettina Réka (Csetényi)
  • László Kristóf
  • Lengyel Ferenc
  • Péczely László Zoltán
  • Szabó István (Élettan)
  • Szőcs Szilárd
  • Varga Csaba (Élettan)
  • Zagorácz Olga
Rólunk