Introduction to Physiology

- Term first used for knowledge of nature

- Deals with functions of living organisms
- Ex.- plant P, animal P, viral P, Human P
- Human physiology- systemic approach

Systems of human body

Nervous (NS)

Nerve & Muscle

Endocrine

Reproductive

Cardiovascular (CVS)

Excretory or Renal

Respiratory (RS)

Special senses

Gastrointestinal (GIT) or Blood & General

Digestive
Physiology

Nerve & Central Nervous System

Dr. Kena Jasani
M.D. (Physio.), Associate professor

Dr. Neeraj Mahajan

M.D., D.N.B. (Physio.), Associate professor

Nerve Physiology
1) Neuron and Glial Cells
2) Degeneration and Regeneration

3) Classification of nerve fibers

4) Properties of nerve fibers
5) Resting mem. potential and Action P.

CNS-I
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

Receptors
Synapse
Reflex
Tracts
Pain
Sensations
Spinal Cord

CNS-II
1) Cerebral Cortex
2) Thalamus
3) Hypothalamus
4) Basal Ganglia
5) Cerebellum
6) Reticular Formation
7) Limbic System
8) Speech
9) Memory and Learning
10)Tone, Posture and
Equilibrium

 University Total Marks 160

= 100 Theory
60 Practicals

Internal Marks 40

= 20 Theory
20 Practicals

Theory (120) + Practicals (80) = 200 marks

Pre-PG exams (MD/MS) & USMLE (MCQS)

PAPER II (50 marks)

Section I (25 marks)

Q1. Answer 2/3

(Applied physiology)

10

Q2.(A) Describe briefly 2/3

(Endocrine)
(B) Write briefly
1/2
(Reproductive System)

Q3. Write briefly

2/3
(Gastrointestinal tract)

Paper II (50 marks)

SECTION II (25 marks)

Q1.Describe briefly 2/3

(CNS)

10

Q2.(a)Write briefly 2/3

(Special Sense)
(b)Write briefly 1/2
(Nerve-Muscle physiology)

Q3. Answer any 6/8 in one-two lines.

BOOKS
FOREIGN AUTHORS

INDIAN AUTHORS

Guyton

A.K. Jain

Best & Taylor

Indu Khurana

Ganong

Vijaya Joshi

Berne & Levy

Sembulingam

Books u can refer to

Guyton & Vijaya Joshi
Ganong & Vijaya Joshi

A.K.Jain & Vijaya Joshi

Sembulingam & Vijaya Joshi
Word notes by Dr Kena & Dr Niraj

Introduction to Physiology
-term first used for knowledge of nature
-is branch of science deals with functions of living
organisms. ex- plant P, animal P, viral P , human P
-organization- cell, tissue, organ, system & body.
-human physiology systemic approach

Paper I
Section I
Q1. Answer 2/3
(Applied physiology)
Q2.(A) Describe briefly 2/3
(Blood)
(B) Write briefly
1/2
(Cell & biophysics)
Q3. Write briefly
2/3
(Excretory)

10
6

3
6

Paper I
SECTION II

Q1.Describe briefly 2/3

(CVS system)
Q2.(a)Write briefly 2/3
(RS system)
(b)Write briefly 1/2
(High altitude & exercise physiology)
Q3. Answer any 6/8 in one-two lines.
(Assorted)

10
6
3
6

PAPER II
Section I
Q1. Answer 2/3
(Applied physiology)
Q2.(A) Describe briefly 2/3
(Endocrine)
(B) Write briefly
1/2
(Reproductive System)
Q3. Write briefly
2/3
(Gastrointestinal tract)

10
6

3
6

Paper II
SECTION II
Q1.Describe briefly 2/3
(CNS)
Q2.(a)Write briefly 2/3
(Special Sense)
(b)Write briefly 1/2
(Nerve-Muscle physiology)
Q3. Answer any 6/8 in one-two lines.
(Assorted)

10
6
3
6

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Theory Exam (total 100 marks)
Paper I 50 marks + Paper II 50 marks

Practical Exam (total 60 marks)

Hematology, Clinical, Experimental Graphs
/photo/charts, Instruments, Viva I, Viva II

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Theory (total 20 marks)
Ist Internal exam 5
Prilims
7.5
Day to day
7.5
(attendance, GD, mcqs)
Practical (total 20 marks)
Ist Internal exam 5
Prilims
7.5
Day to day
7.5
(attendance, viva, journal, spotting)

NEURON or NERVE
PHYSIOLORY

Nerve physiology

-Structure of neuron
-Properties of the nerve fiber
-Classification of nerve fibers
-Wallerian degeneration and regeneration

What is neuron?
Definition- Neuron or nerve cell is the
structural & functional unit or basic unit of
the nervous system.

No.- about 1011 (100 billion). 40% of genome

Basic property- excitability, conductivity and
integration.

Function of neuron- is transfer of information

and understanding of information.

Cell
structural & functional unit or basic unit of body

Muscle cell (fiber)

structural & functional unit of muscle

Neuron

Glial cells

Excitatory cell

Non-Excitatory cell

NO.- 100 billons

10 to 50 times more than

neurons

Do not divide (as they lake

centriole)

Divisible cell (Glioma)

Functiontransmit & understand

information (Basic unit of
NS)

Functionsupport & protect the

neurons

Glial cells-Neuroglia protects and supports the neurons.

-Glial cells are non excitatory cells means they can
transmit impulses like neurons.
-Neuroglia can divide unlike neurons & are
- numerous, there are 10-50 times as many glial cells as
neurons.

In the PNS
Schwann cells form
myelin sheath in
PNS.

In the CNS
1) Microglia are defense cells & smallest cell

2) Oligodendrogliocytes form myelin sheath in

CNS.

3) Astrocytes form blood-brain barrier. types

-Gliomas: Gliomas are tumors of neuroglia.

Astrocytes
-Foot process of form blood-brain barrier.
- Astrocytes also secrete nerve growth factor and
- involve in homeostasis of ions & neurotransmitters.

- types- protoplasmic & fibrous

-Structure, Properties, Classification and

Wallerian degeneration / regeneration of nerve
fibers
-Which are the excitable tissues and why?
-What is neuron? (definition, no., basic property,
& functions)
- Glial cells (definition, types-4, functions)
- Why the neuron do not divide?

1) All true about glial cells excepta) Number of neurons (100 billions)
b) Non excitatory but supporting & divisible
cells
c) Oligodendrocytes- myelination (CNS)
d) Astrocytes- BBB, ions, NTs, nerve
growth factor
e) Microglia- defense

2) Neurons dont divide as they lack

a)
b)
c)
d)

Nucleus
Nucleolus
ER
Centriol

Excitable tissues- Nerve & Muscle

As both show basic property of excitability &
conductivity,

Nerve has additional property of integration & muscle

contractility
Excitability- If adequate stimulus is applied, action
potential (AP) or impulse is produced
Neuron is differentiated cell with properties of
excitability, conductivity and integration.

Function of neuron is transfer & understanding of

information

Dr. Niraj R. Mahajan

M.D. (Physio.)
D.N.B. (Physio.)
Associate professor
Dept. of physiology
Registered for Ph.D.
Writing Physio. books

- Structure of cell body ( Nissel granules, x

centrosome, neurofibrillae, axon hillock)
- Structure of axon & dendrite
- Connective tissue covers, RMP & synapse
- axon hillock, chromatolysis, myelination,
Saltatory conduction
- Axoplasmic flow & neurotropins

Structural of neuron/ nerve cell/ nerve fiber

typestypes- can be (uni/ bi/ multi) polar.

Structure
Structure- It consists of:1) Cell body & 2) processesa) dendrites ( are the processes which bring information
towards cell body).

b) axon ( is the process which carries the information

away from the cell )

Cell body or somacontain nucleus, nucleolus, organelles, Nissls granules,

neurofibrils but no centrosome (so neurons dont
divide)

axon hillockis thickened part of cell body from where arise. It is most
excitable part of cell body due to maximum number
of voltage gated Na channels.

Chromatolysisdisappearance of Nissls granules when neuron get fatigue

or degeneration or anoxic.

Nissls granules or tigroid bodies (IMP)

- made of cavities that contain basophilic granules.

- It give the neuron spotted appearance

- granules made of RNA + proteins
- function is protein synthesis. Probably are rough ER.
- not present in axon and Axon hillock

- whenever neuron get fatigue or degeneration or anoxic,

Nissls granules breaks into fine dust and then
disappear. this process is called Chromatolysis

Axoncarry AP/information away from cell body.

made of axis cylender (axoplasm surrounded by

axolemma)
surrounded by schwann cell ( neurilemma is outer sheath of
cell).
It divide in terminal branches.
Dilated ends of branches are called terminal bottons which
make synapse with next neurone.

Myelin sheath (IMP-2) rule of 2

-made of 2 things- is lipid-protein (specially
sphingomyelin) cover of axon.
-formed by 2 cells- Schwann cell in PNS & by
oligodendrocytes in CNS.
-Formation start from 2nd trimester of IUL to 2
years after birth, interrupted.
-2 functions- insulation & salutatory conduction

Saltatory conduction
(is direct transmission or jumping of AP or impulse from
one nodes of Ranvier to the next. It is fast & cheap
conduction.)

nodes of Ranvier1 micron unmyelinated area at every 1 mm on myelinated

axon.

Connective tissue coversEndoneurium, perineurium, epineurium are connective

tissue coverings of nerve fiber, nerve bundle and nerve
trunk respectively.

RMP of neuronal soma- of cell body is -70 mv while

of nerve fiber/ axon is -90 mv.
Synapse- Interneuronal junction through which AP
passes from one neuron (pre synaptic) to next neuron
(post synaptic)
-The dorsal column (sensory tract) is the first to start
myelination and pyramidal tract (motor tract) the last.
- Diseases related to myelination are- multiple sclerosis,

hypothyroidism (cretinism), Gullian-barre

syndrome etc.

Axoplasmic flow:
Microtubules and microfilaments help in axoplasmic flow.

Anterograde transport It is flow of substances from

nerve cell body towards axon at the rate of 200-400
mm/day. Substances transported are neurotropins,
synaptic neurotransmitters, proteins etc.

Retrograde transport- It is the flow of substances

from axon terminals to cell body. E.g. Nerve growth
factors, certain viruses like chicken pox virus, end
products of neurotransmitters, tetanus toxin etc.

Axoplasmic flow:
By Neurofibrils (Microtubules)
Anterograde transport
It is flow of substances from cell body to axon
Rate- 400 mm/day & by Kinesin on microtubules
E.g.- synaptic vesicles, proteins etc.

Retrograde transportIt is the flow of substances from axon to cell body.

Rate- 200 mm/day & by Dynein on microtubules
E.g.- Neurotropins, viruses(chicken pox virus),
tetanus toxin .

NEUROTROPINS:
Neurotropins are protins required for growth and
survival of neurons.
Secreted by neurons and astrocytes

1)
2)
3)
4)

Nerve growth factor (NGF)Brain derived growth factorNeurotropin-3Neurotropins 4, 5

NEUROTROPINS:
Neurotropins are substances required for growth and
survival of neurons.

1) Nerve growth factor (NGF)- It was the Ist growth

factor to be identified. It is present in salivary glands,
astrocytes, plasma and different tissues. It promotes
growth of sympathetic neurons and some sensory
nerves.

2) Brain derived growth factor- It promotes growth

of peripheral sensory neurons.

3) Neurotropin-3- It promotes growth of cutaneous

mechanoreceptors.
4) Neurotropins 4, 5

What is neuron?
Definition- Neuron or nerve cell is the structural &
functional unit or basic unit of the nervous
system.
No.- about 1011 (100 billion).
Basic property- excitability, conductivity and
integration.

Function of neuron- is transfer of information and

understanding of information.

Neuron

Glial cells

Excitatory cell

Non-Excitatory cell

NO.- 100 billons

10 to 50 times more than

neurons

Do not divide (as they lake

centriole)

Divisible cell (Glioma)

Functiontransmit & understand

information (Basic unit of
NS)

Functionsupport & protect the

neurons