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Human physiology

Key information


Duration: Duration times vary. Use the contact details below to enquire about this.  

Location: Aston University, Birmingham

Fee: £430 per delegate

To register: Please complete this registration form. The Biomedical Science top-up modules are for people who have a science degree but wish to pursue a career as a Biomedical Scientist. Prior to registering for any top-up modules you need to contact the Institute of Biomedical Science for advice about which modules you require:

Telephone: + 44 (0)20 7713 0214 or email: mail@ibms.org

Further information: Contact Caroline Brocklebank at c.brocklebank@aston.ac.uk or telephone 0121 204 4154.

Aims of this module

This module allows you to study the mechanisms and processes through which the body achieves and maintains homeostasis, using selected topics within physiology and pathophysiology as examples.

Module content

  • Homeostasis: principles and mechanisms operating in normal physiology and pathophysiology of the human subject.
  • Cellular homoeostasis: principles, with special reference to recognition, transduction and response-coupling to external and internal signals, desensitisation mechanisms (e.g. of beta-adrenoceptors and muscarinic receptors; G-proteins; effectors; signalling pathways); signal cross-talk, calcium and cAMP in cellular homeostasis.
  • Nutrient and energy balance: external and internal work, metabolic energy expenditure, selection of nutrient fuels, adaptations of nutrient homeostasis to nutrient availability and energy demand, glucose, lipid and protein homeostasis during feeding and fasting.
  • Thermoregulation: adaptations of homeothermy and principles of homoeothermic regulation.  Relative contributions of chemical and physical heat gain versus heat loss.  Processes and control of thermal homeostasis, role of hypothalamus, central and peripheral thermoreceptors.
  • Cardiovascular homeostasis: intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of cardiac and vascular homeostasis.  Structural and functional adaptations to increased load.  Pathophysiological mechanisms and consequences of disease.