Dear Learners, Human Physiology (BBCCT-115) is one of the Fourth-semester courses of the B.Sc. (Hons.) Biochemistry programme (BSCBCH). The theory course of Human Physiology (BBCCT-115) has a 4 credit weightage and its laboratory course (BBCCL-116) is of 2 credits. Human Physiology deals with the study of normal function and vital processes of the human body. Physiology is the branch of biology that aims to understand how living things work. It describes the fundamental mechanism behind the body's functions from how cell organs and organs system work together as a unit at the organism level. While reading this course, your brain, lungs, heart and other body organs are functioning actively and continuously. Have you ever thought, how these body organs function?. Human physiology tells us how our body works in a healthy and disease state. Therefore, this course will introduce you about the structural components of human body from cells to the organ system. You will learn more about structure and function of body organ systems which include the cardiovascular system (Heart and blood vessels), respiration (Lungs), excretory system (Kidney), gastrointestinal system (digestive organs stomach, intestine, etc.), liver, reproductive system, musculoskeletal system, and the nervous system. You will also gain basic physiological knowledge about the body organs what they do within the body and how they work. The goal of this course is to provide the basic concepts and elementary principles for better understanding of the human body.

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• define the human physiology and homeostasis;

• discuss the organisation of body system and body-fluid compartments;

• identify blood components and explain the mechanism of blood coagulation;

• describe the structure and physiological function of heart, blood vessels and lungs;

• describe respiratory mechanism;

• discuss the different structural components of kidney (nephron) and their role in urine formation and acid-base balance;

• explain the gastrointestinal system and the role of digestive organs in food digestion and absorption;

• describe the structure, function and diseases of liver and liver function tests;

• explain the structure and function of reproductive organs (Testes and ovary);

• describe the spermatogenesis, Oogenesis and menstrual cycle;

• discuss the structure and function of bones (skeletal system) and muscle cells;

• describe the mechanism underlies muscular contraction;

• describe the human nervous system and structure and function of neurons;

• explain the role of brain in somatic sensation, sleep, learning and memory; and

• know the causes and symptoms of brain disorders.