Biology 3U03 - Study Notes for 2025

Course Overview

Instructor Information

  • Instructor: Dr. Graham Scott

    • Email: scottg2@mcmaster.ca

    • Office Hours: Tuesdays 10am-12pm in LSB 227

  • Course & Lab Coordinator: Caileigh Tomas

    • Email: bio3u03@mcmaster.ca

    • Office Hours: Mondays 10am-12pm

Course Assessment Structure

  • Labs (40% of final grade):

    • 2 Post-lab Assignments (2.5% each, total = 5%)

    • 3 Full Lab Reports (5%, 8%, and 12%)

    • 1 Seminar (10%)

  • Midterm (25% of final grade): Scheduled for Friday, October 24 during class

  • Final Exam (35% of final grade): 2 Hours, date and time scheduled by Registrar's Office

Course Materials

Textbook Information

  • Primary Textbook: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (14th ed)

    • Recommended but not required

Course Content and Structure

Lecture Topics and Chapters Outline

  1. Introduction to Course and Core Concepts (Chapters 1-2)

  2. Pressure-Flow Relationships (Chapters 14)

  3. Cardiac Function and Cell Physiology (Chapters 9-11)

  4. Vasculature, Vascular Mechanics & Microcirculation (Chapters 15-16)

  5. Cardiovascular Control (Chapters 17-21)

  6. Pulmonary Ventilation and Gas Exchange (Chapters 38-42)

  7. Blood Gas Transport (Chapter 41)

  8. Peripheral Tissue Gas Transport (Chapter 40)

  9. Renal Function and Osmotic Regulation (Chapters 25-30)

  10. Acid-Base Regulation (Chapter 31)

  11. Consolidation of Core Concepts (Chapter 22)

Laboratory and Seminar Schedule

Lab Date

Topic

Sept 16-18

Introduction to Cardiac Function Measurements

Sept 23-25

Autonomic Control of Cardiac Function

Oct 7-9

Human Dive Response

Oct 28-30

Respiration and Breathing

Nov 11-13

Human Kidney Function

Nov 25-27

Seminars on Various Topics

Attendance Policy

  • Mandatory Attendance: Labs must be attended in person. Limited opportunities to attend other lab sections are available due to extenuating circumstances—contact the course coordinator for assistance.

Core Concepts of Physiology

Overview of Core Concepts

  • Definition of Core Concepts: Big ideas crucial to understanding and practicing physiology, allowing for enduring comprehension and application to novel problems across the discipline.

  • Examples of Core Concepts:

    • System Integration: Interactions between organ systems sustain life.

    • Structure-Function Relationship: The physiological function is dictated by organizational levels from molecules to organ systems.

    • Regulation and Homeostasis: The upkeep of steady internal conditions, often measured against external changes through negative feedback mechanisms.

Mass Balance Concept

  • Mass Balance Defined: The contents within any physiological compartment are determined through inputs and outputs from that compartment.

  • Significance: Critical in understanding flow and regulation of bodily fluids and gases.