Human Physiology

Data

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

Topic

The most important mission of the Human Physiology Course in biotechnology education is to familiarize students with the basics of the complex network of human physiology, based on prior knowledge of biology, physics, chemistry, and biochemistry. In this way, they can understand the basic anatomy and functions of each organ and organ system. The students can understand how organs interact to adapt to the environment and the factors that influence them. During the laboratory practices, students learn the main procedures to study the function of human organs and organ systems. Students will be enabled at a basic level to apply their knowledge in the design process of experiments and the analysis and interpretation of experimental results of pharmaceutical tests.

Lectures

• 1. Introduction to physiology. Body fluid compartments and blood components. Principles of homeostatic regulation. - Lengyel Ferenc
• 2. Functions of blood cellular elements. Blood clotting. - Mintál Kitti
• 3. Cellular transport of substances. - Tóth Attila
• 4. Basics of cellular excitability: Membrane potentials and action potentials. - Kecskés Miklós
• 5. General properties of neurons. Synapses and neurotransmitters. - Kecskés Miklós
• 6. Basic anatomy and physiology of somatic nervous system. - Szabó István (Élettan)
• 7. The autonomic nervous system: anatomy, basic physiology. - Szabó István (Élettan)
• 8. Hypothalamo-hypophyseal control of hormonal secretion. - Barabás Klaudia
• 9. Physiology of muscle: Basic anatomy; Mechanism and energetics of muscle contraction. - Barabás Klaudia
• 10. Regulation of muscle contraction in skeletal muscle. Smooth muscle. - Barabás Klaudia
• 11. Physiology of heart: Basic anatomy. Mechanics of the heart. Cardiac cycle. - László Bettina Réka (Csetényi)
• 12. Physiology of heart: Pacemaker and conductive system. Fundamentals of ECG. - Szabó István (Élettan)
• 13. Overview of circulation in the human body (pressure, flow, resistance). Functions of the arterial, venous and lymphatic systems. - Zagorácz Olga
• 14. Microcirculation. Basic mechanisms of cardiovascular regulation.    - Zagorácz Olga
• 15. Respiration: Basic anatomy. Pulmonary ventilation, circulation, and gas exchange. - Petykó Zoltán
• 16. Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood and tissue fluids. Basic mechanisms of respiratory regulation. - Petykó Zoltán
• 17. General principles of kidney function: Functional anatomy of the urinary tract and urine formation by kidneys. - Kovács Gergely
• 18. Tubular transport mechanisms of the kidney. - Kovács Gergely
• 19. Basic concepts of pH; pH of body fluids, buffer systems. - Tóth István Balázs
• 20. General principles of gastrointestinal function: anatomy, motility. - Kövesdi Erzsébet
• 21. Secretory functions of the alimentary tract. - Kövesdi Erzsébet
• 22. Digestion and absorption in the alimentary tract. - Kövesdi Erzsébet
• 23. Energy balance, metabolic rate and temperature regulation. - Kövesdi Erzsébet
• 24. Hormonal regulation of carbohydrate and intermediary metabolism. - Barabás Klaudia
• 25. Structure, function and hormonal control of reproductive organs I. - Hormay Edina Emőke
• 26. Structure, function and hormonal control of reproductive organs II. - Hormay Edina Emőke
• 27. Adrenocortical hormones, endocrinology of stress. - Barabás Klaudia
• 28. Endocrinology of thyroid gland. Regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis. - Mintál Kitti

Practices

• 1.

  Blood: General principles of experiments using human blood. The morphology of cell types using stained blood film. Hematocrit. I.

• 2.

  Blood: General principles of experiments using human blood. The morphology of cell types using stained blood film. Hematocrit. II.
  

• 3.

  Blood: Red blood cell count. Blood groups. I.

• 4.

  Blood: Red blood cell count. Blood groups. II.

• 5.

  Biological data acquisition system. The neuron. Compound and single fiber action potential, conduction velocity (SimNerv/LabTutor). I.

• 6.

  Biological data acquisition system. The neuron. Compound and single fiber action potential, conduction velocity (SimNerv/LabTutor). II.

• 7.

  Examination of human reflexes and reaction time. Pupillary reflexes. I.

• 8.

  Examination of human reflexes and reaction time. Pupillary reflexes. II.

• 9.

  Muscle physiology: Summation, superposition, incomplete and complete tetanus (SimMuscle/LabTutor) I.

• 10.

  Muscle physiology: Summation, superposition, incomplete and complete tetanus (SimMuscle/LabTutor) II.

• 11.

  Comparison of skeletal and heart muscle. Fatigue, recruitment. Heterometric and homeometric regulation in the heart (SimMuscle; SimHeart). I.

• 12.

  Comparison of skeletal and heart muscle. Fatigue, recruitment. Heterometric and homeometric regulation in the heart (SimMuscle; SimHeart). II.

• 13.

  Heart: In situ vertebrate heart preparation. Cardiac cycle. The extrasystole. Effects of adrenaline and acetylcholine (catfish/SimHeart). I.

• 14.

  Heart: In situ vertebrate heart preparation. Cardiac cycle. The extrasystole. Effects of adrenaline and acetylcholine (catfish/SimHeart). II.

• 15.

  Circulation: Arterial blood pressure, Examination of pulse (pulsoxymeter). Examination of circulation in zebrafish. I.

• 16.

  Circulation: Arterial blood pressure, Examination of pulse (pulsoxymeter). Examination of circulation in zebrafish. II.
  

• 17.

  Respiration: Donders model; Lung volumes, capacities and dynamic parameters I.

• 18.

  Respiration: Donders model; Lung volumes, capacities and dynamic parameters II.

• 19.

  Urinary system: specific gravity and pH; general urinalysis using test strip (detection of protein, blood, Hb, glucose, Bi, Ubg, ketone bodies). Methods of urine collection in animal experiments. I.

• 20.

  Urinary system: specific gravity and pH; general urinalysis using test strip (detection of protein, blood, Hb, glucose, Bi, Ubg, ketone bodies). Methods of urine collection in animal experiments. II.

• 21. Seminar: Clearance.
• 22. Temperature regulation, measurement of body temperature.
• 23.

  Carbohydrate metabolism: detection of blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test (diabetes mellitus). Estimation of body composition, calculation of BMI. I.

• 24.

  Carbohydrate metabolism: detection of blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test (diabetes mellitus). Estimation of body composition, calculation of BMI. II.

• 25.

  Reproductive physiology: Estrous cycle, menstrual cycle. Pregnancy tests. I.

• 26.

  Reproductive physiology: Estrous cycle, menstrual cycle. Pregnancy tests. II.

• 27.

  Make up of missed classes; Exercise notebook checking; consultation. I.

• 28.

  Make up of missed classes; Exercise notebook checking; consultation. II.

Seminars

Reading material

Obligatory literature

Literature developed by the Department

Find and read the relevant chapters on the homepage of the Institute of Physiology: Physiology Lectures, Physiology Lab Practices, and Physiology Lab Practice Worksheets, online study material provided by the Institute. Recommended textbook for the course is: the corresponding chapters of the Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology. 13th edition, Pearson Education Ltd. (2022), by Elaine N. Marieb and Suzanne M. Keller. Lecturers might provide additional recommended literature on their specific topic during the lectures.

Notes

Find and read the relevant chapters in:

Homepage of PTE ÁOK Institute of Physiology: Physiology Lab Practices, and Physiology Lab Practice Worksheets, online study material, printable notebook

Recommended literature

Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology. 13th edition, Pearson Education Ltd. (2022), by Elaine N. Marieb and Suzanne M. Keller. Lecturers might provide additional recommended literature on their specific topic during the lectures.
Lisa M.J. Lee PhD: Lippincott's Pocket Histology (Lippincott's Pocket Series) Illustrated Edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)

M. Réthelyi – J. Szentágothai: Functional Anatomy, First Edition, 2018, ISBN: 978 963 226 685 5 (Medicina)

Thomas M. Jessell Steven A. Siegelbaum: Principles of Neural Science, Sixth Edition, 2021, ISBN 1259642232 (McGraw-Hill)

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

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

To have the semester signed, students must attend the lectures and participate in laboratory classes, and reach at least a “pass” (2) grade on weekly practical tests.

Mid-term exams

In-semester evaluation means a written assessment of the students' knowledge during lab practices. Every written assessment consists of test questions only.

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. The making up of a lab practice means the completion of the related worksheet and giving an oral report on the related topic in the dedicated time points.

Exam topics/questions

Topics of theoretical exam: 
1. Principles of homeostatic regulation. Body fluid compartments, composition of interstitial fluid and blood plasma.  
2. Blood components. Physiology of red blood cells. Blood group systems. 
3. Functions of white blood cells. Blood clotting.
4. Cellular transport of substances. 
5. Basics of cellular excitability, membrane potential. 
6. General properties of neurons, action potential. 
7. Synapses and neurotransmitters. 
8. General organization and functions of the nervous system. The somatomotor system. 
9. Sensory system, sensory organs.
10. The autonomic nervous system: basic anatomy and physiology. 
11. Hypothalamo-hypophyseal control of hormonal secretion.  
12. Physiology of skeletal muscle: Basic anatomy. Mechanism and energetics of muscle contraction.  
13. Regulation of muscle contraction in skeletal muscle. 
14. Smooth muscle physiology.
15. Physiology of heart: Basic anatomy. Mechanics of the heart. Cardiac cycle. 
16. Physiology of heart: Pacemaker and conductive system. Fundamentals of ECG.
17. Overview of circulation in the human body (pressure, flow, resistance), hemodynamics. 
18. Specific features of the arterial, venous, capillary, and lymphatic systems.
19. Basic mechanisms of cardiovascular regulation.   
20. Respiration: Basic anatomy. Pulmonary ventilation, circulation, and gas exchange.
21. Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood and tissue fluids. Basic mechanisms of respiratory regulation.
22. General  principles of gastrointestinal function: anatomy, motility.
23. Secretory functions of the alimentary tract. 
24. Digestion and absorption in the alimentary tract.
25. Energy balance, metabolic rate. 
26. Body temperature regulation.
27. General principles of kidney function, clearance, GFR, renal blood flow, structure of the nephron.
28. Tubular transport mechanisms of the kidney: Na+, K+, Ca++, glucose, water. 
29. Functional anatomy of the urinary tract and urine formation by kidneys.
30. The pH of the body fluids, acid – base balance. 
31. Hormonal regulation of carbohydrate and intermediary metabolism. 
32. Adrenocortical hormones. 
33. Endocrinology of stress.
34. Structure, function and hormonal control of male reproductive organs. 
35. Structure, function and hormonal control of female reproductive organs. 
36. Pregnancy, lactation.
37. Endocrinology of thyroid gland.   
38. Regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis. 

Topics of lab exam: 
1. The morphology of cell types on stained blood film.
2. Red blood cell counting.  Hematocrit. 
3. Blood group determination.  
4. How to use workstations for electrophysiological registrations?  
5. The neuron: Compound and single-fiber action potential, conduction velocity.  
6. Examination of human reflexes. 
7. Pupillary reflexes. Measurement of reaction time.
8. Summation, superposition, incomplete and complete tetanus.  
9. Comparison of skeletal and heart muscle: macro- and microstructure, regulation.
10. Recruitment, fatigue. Regulation of contractile force.
11. In situ vertebrate heart preparation: cardiac cycle and extrasystole.  
12. Effects of adrenaline and acetylcholine on the heart. Examination of circulation in zebrafish: effect of temperature, adrenaline and acetylcholine. 
13. Arterial blood pressure. Examination of the pulse.  
14. Respiration: static parameters (lung volumes and capacities).  
15. Respiration: dynamic parameters. Donders model.  
16. Specific gravity and pH of the urine. General urinalysis using test strip.
17. Clearance (calculation).
18. Carbohydrate metabolism: detection of blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test. Effect of food on blood glucose level.    
19. Estimation of body composition. Measurement of body temperature. 
20. Reproductive physiology: estrous cycle, menstrual cycle.  
21. Reproductive physiology: pregnancy hormones, pregnancy tests.  

Study material for the exam is the sum total of information covered in the recommended textbook, on the homepage of the Institute, as well as knowledge given at the lectures and lab practices. Figures of the lectures are available on the homepage of the Institute of Physiology. Important messages on new information will be announced at the lectures and will be sent to the students 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).

Examiners

• Buzás Péter
• Jandó Gábor
• Kertes Erika
• Környei József László
• Kovács Gergely
• László Kristóf
• Lengyel Ferenc
• Péczely László Zoltán
• Tóth István Balázs
• Varga Csaba (Élettan)
• Zelena Dóra Tímea

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars

• Kovács Gergely
• KURZUSHOZ RENDELT OKTATÓ
• Lengyel Ferenc
• Tóth István Balázs
• Zagorácz Olga