PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

By Dr. Ramtej J. Verma | Department of zoology, biomedical technology and human genetics,Gujarat University

Learners enrolled: 1529

The present core course has been designed for the students studying in the subject of zoology at college or university level as per the UGC approved curriculum. In addition, this core course can also be opted by under graduate students of relevant disciplines of biological sciences. The core course will cover the essential aspects of physiology and biochemistry comprising of introductory background of scope and history of physiology as well as biochemistry. Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts. Biochemistry is the branch of science which is concerned with the chemical and physicochemical processes that occur within living organisms. Physiology and biochemistry both are the very important branches of science which have their own significance in various fields including medical, paramedical, toxicology, pharmacy, cardiology and many more. Physiology itself contains vast number of branches such as blood physiology, renal physiology, reproductive physiology, neural physiology, muscle physiology etc., and these all branches specially focuses on how these organs work in coordination with each other and they also show division of labour. It helps us in understanding the functions of various organ systems of our body which is unavoidable if one wants to lead a healthy, disease free life. For example, cardio physiology makes us understand how our heart, arteries and veins works in a network that provides oxygen to different parts of our body and carries away carbon dioxide from the tissues. Same as physiology, biochemistry is also crucial for us to understand how whatever we eat as food becomes energy. For e.g. Glucose. Biochemistry helps us to understand our enzymes, especially how they work? What they are made up of? Why we feel hungry?, Why we take glucose when we feel weak? Why sometimes we feel sad (fall in the level of serotonin)? and sometimes happy (rise in chemical dopamine (a neurotransmitter), which is the cause of the feeling of happiness. It also helps in diagnosis of malfunctioning of body systems by providing different biochemical tests that can measure our body fluids and elements (Vitamin D, Vitamin B₁₂, calcium, thyroid, hemoglobin, etc) and gives us the hint to maintain these crucial elements in their optimal level.

Course Objectives:

The structure of the present core course on physiology and biochemistry has been designed with the perspective of achieving following major objectives:

· To provide a glimpse of Aims and scopes of physiology and biochemistry to the students.
· To impart knowledge regarding structure and functions of nerve and muscle to the students.
· To develop detailed understanding of mechanism of digestion, respiration and excretion.
· To give better understanding of structure of heart, blood composition and cardiac cycle.
· To provide knowledge about reproductive system as well as endocrine glands and their mechanism of action.
· To give adequate information to the students regarding Metabolism of macromolecules such as carbohydrates, lipid and protein.
· To make the students gain knowledge about enzyme functions, regulation and their mechanism of action as well.

Eligibility For Enrollment:
Those students who have passed (10+2) with Biological Science subject with at least 55% marks and/or at present studying Zoology at undergraduate level.

Course Pre-requisite:
Pre-requisite for admission in this course will be (10+2) with any Biological Science with at least 55% marks.

Intended Audience:
The course has been useful for the students studying in areas of relevant biological science disciplines comprising of Zoology, Biochemistry, Life-Science, Biotechnology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Forensic Science, Biomedical Technology, Cancer Biology, Clinical Research, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cancer Biology and Medical fields.

Reading Materials:
References and Web links have been provided in all the modules.

Learning Outcomes:
After successful accomplishment of the course, the learners will be able to develop better understanding regarding most of the essential aspects of Physiology as well as Biochemistry associated with it which in turn will provide a fantastic opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills related to subject of biology.

Course Staff:

Sr. No.	Course Instructors	Institute	E-mail Address
1.	DR. RAMTEJ J. VERMA Course Co-ordinator (Principal Investigator) SWAYAM MOOCs-Physiology and Biochemistry Gujarat University	Department of Zoology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, India.	ramtejverma2000@yahoo.com
2.	DR. FLORA C. SHAH Teaching Assistant SWAYAM MOOCs-Physiology and Biochemistry Gujarat University	Department of Life-Science, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, India.	florashah88@gmail.com

Summary

Course Status :	Completed
Course Type :	Core
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	13 Jul 2020
End Date :	30 Nov 2020
Enrollment Ends :	30 Sep 2020
Exam Date :

Page Visits

Course layout

Unit-1: Nerve and Muscle

Lecture 1: Aim and Scope of Physiology
Lecture 2: Structure of A Neuron
Lecture 3: Origin of Action Potential
Lecture 4: Skeletal & Smooth Muscle Functions

Unit-2: Digestion

Lecture 5: Digestion in Alimentary Canal

Unit-3: Respiration

Lecture 6: Pulmonary Respiration and Transport of Gases (O₂and CO₂) in Blood
Lecture 7: Pulmonary Volumes and Capacities

Unit-4: Excretion

Lecture 8: Structure and Function of Kidney (Part-1)
Lecture 9: Structure and Function of Kidney (Part-2)

Unit-5: Cardiovascular System

Lecture 10: Composition of Blood
Lecture 11: Structure of Heart
Lecture 12: Hemostasis
Lecture 13: Origin and Conduction of The Cardiac Cycle

Unit-6: Reproduction and Endocrine Glands

Lecture 14: Physiology of Male Reproduction
Lecture 15: Physiology of Female Reproduction
Lecture 16: Structure and Function of Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Pancreas and Adrenal

Unit-7: Carbohydrate Metabolism

Lecture 17: Glycolysis, Kreb's Cycle, Pentose Phosphate Pathway
Lecture 18: Gluconeogenesis

Unit-8: Lipid Metabolism

Lecture 19: Biosynthesis and β-Oxidation of Palmitic Acid

Unit-9: Protein Metabolism

Lecture 20: Transamination, Deamination and Urea Cycle

Unit-10: Enzymes

Lecture 21: Nature of Enzymes: Introduction
Lecture 22: Nature of Enzymes: Purification Immobilized Enzymes and Their Uses
Lecture 23: Nature of Enzymes: Classification and Kinetics Assays

Supplementary Study Materials

Lecture 24: Chemical Foundations of Physiology
Lecture 25: Biomolecules: Carbohydrate and Proteins
Lecture 26: Blood Formation
Lecture 27: Nutrition 1
Lecture 28: Nutrition 2
Lecture 29: Peripheral Circulation
Lecture 30: Amino Acids and Peptides Properties and Structure

Books and references

Garard J. Tortora and Brayan Derrickson. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 12^th edition.
Lehninger A.L., Nelson D.L., Cox MM. (2008). Principles of Biochemistry 5^th edition, W. H. Freeman.
Stenesh J. (1999). Biochemistry, Plenum Press, New York.
Zubay G. (1994). Biochemistry. Wm.C. Brown Publisher, Oxford.

Instructor bio

Dr. Ramtej J. Verma

Department of zoology, biomedical technology and human genetics,Gujarat University

Dr. Ramtej J. Verma [B.Sc. , M. Sc., Ph.D.,]

Dr. Ramtej Verma is the Professor & Head in Department of zoology, biomedical technology and human genetics. He is Course Director in M. Sc. zoology, biomedical technology & human genetics in School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India. He has 35 years of research and teaching experience. His areas of expertise include Ocular Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology, Animal Behavioral Science, reproductive physiology, Toxicology, Physiology, Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics. He has more than 250 research publications in national and international peer-reviewed refereed journals to his credit as well as presented the research work in national and international conferences. He has worked as ‘Subject Co-ordinator’ and ‘Subject Expert’ in the educational programmes produced by EMMRC as a part of UGC-CEC project. He was also assigned as ‘Principle Investigator’ for MOOCs of Zoology Core Course of cell biology.

Course certificate

All the course learners will be awarded "Course Credit Certificate" from SWAYAM, Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD), Government of India after successful completion of the MOOCs on 'Physiology and Biochemistry'.

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