Summary of Topics for Bioengineering/Physiology 6000
Physiology for Bioengineers
Final Exam, May 7, 2009

Rob MacLeod

macleod@cvrti.utah.edu

• 1 Forward
• 2 The circulatory system
• 3 The respiratory system
• 4 Osmotic Balance
• About this document ...

1 Forward

The following is a list of topics that were covered in the final part of the semester in Bioengineering/Physiology 6000 course in the 2009 edition. I expect students to be familiar with each of the concepts and ideas and will draw from this list for the final exam.

Note: although the exam period is two hours, I will organize the exam similarly to the midterms.

2 The circulatory system

1. Arterial and Venous systems
   • Distribution throughout the circulatory system of blood volume, flow, pressure, vessel resistance.
   • Role of the arterial system as compliant vessel.
   • Definitions of resistance and compliance
   • Response of the arterial system to variations in compliance, resistance, and cardiac output.
   • Structure and role of venous systems, valves.
   • Measurement of blood pressure and flow.

2. Control of circulation
   • Local control of blood flow
   • Central control
   • Baroreceptor mechanism
   • Response of circulation to exercise

3. Microcirculation:
   • structure of the microcirculation,
   • types of capillaries, and features of interstitial space,
   • structure and role of lymphatics,
   • capillary diffusion, and water balance, pulmonary edema.

3 The respiratory system

1. Gas transport
   • Gas laws
   • Mechanisms of oxygen transport, hemoglobin, respiratory pigments
   • Oxygen transport, binding, and dissociation
   • Carbon dioxide transport mechanisms, role of erythrocytes, bicarbonate

2. Acid base balance and pH regulation
   • Relationship between pH and CO₂ mathend000#
   • Henderson-Hasselbalch equation: what it means, what is is good for; respiration in acid/base balance
   • Strategies for acid/base regulation
   • Buffers in the blood

3. Ventilation
   • Mechanisms of gas exchange (air breathers), role of the alveoli, bronchi, surfactants
   • Ventilation mechanics, pressures, resistance, and characteristic volumes
   • Role of surfactants
   • Respiratory heat and water loss
   • Ventilation in insects
   • Diving and the effects of underwater breathing
   • Pulmonary circulation, ventilation/perfusion (mis)matching
   • Control of ventilation: mechanisms, sensors, control centers, etc.,
   • Underwater respiration
   • Effects of altitude on respiration/cardiovascular system

4 Osmotic Balance

1. Osmosis in living system
   • Definitions of terms and basic concepts of osmosis
   • Obligatory exchanges: water loss, mechanisms, aquaporin, respiratory water loss (again)
   • Controlled exchanges: osmoregulation challenges and mechanisms of different types of environments and species
   • Examples of animals dealing with dry conditions (camel, kangaroo rat, insects
2. Kidney function
   • Basic structure and typical transport mechanisms along the nephron
   • Overview of kidney function
   • Glomerular filtration, including regulation mechanisms

About this document ...

Summary of Topics for Bioengineering/Physiology 6000
Physiology for Bioengineers
Final Exam, May 7, 2009

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