| Program / Major | mDP | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Bioscience Course | DP-4a・1 | 研究者・技術者としての基礎的素養 分子・細胞・個体レベルの専門知識を修得し、生命現象を俯瞰して課題を特定すると共に、適切な実験・解析手法を用いて問題解決策を構築できる。 |
| Biomedical Engineering Course | DP-4b・1 | 研究者・技術者としての基礎的素養 医工学分野の専門知識・ものづくり技術を修得し、論理的に課題解決できる。 |
| Sports Engineering Course | DP-4c・1 | 研究者・技術者としての基礎的素養 運動機器・支援デバイスを開発し、運動機能の発展・拡張に寄与できる。 |
Physiology covers an extensive range of topics. In this course, students will study the general fundamentals of physiology
excluding areas primarily related to neuroscience, with the goal of acquiring accurate foundational knowledge. This course
serves as a basis for more specialized studies in life sciences in subsequent years.
All living organisms are maintained through the normal functioning of various physiological processes (homeostasis). The scope
of physiological functions is broad, extending from the molecular level to society. This course focuses on the fundamentals
of physiology, particularly the structure and functions of human organs and organ systems, which are essential for studying
life sciences. Because physiology is a vast field, it is desirable to take this course together with Neurophysiology offered
in the first semester of the second year.
- Students will understand the concept of homeostasis and the roles of regulatory systems such as the nervous and endocrine systems, and be able to explain, with specific examples, the locations of major human organs and organ systems and their basic physiological functions.
- The human body is maintained through precise and highly integrated balance and system control. To understand biological systems, it is important not to view each function in isolation, but to develop a comprehensive understanding of how they are interrelated and operate efficiently as a whole.
- Students will develop the ability to interpret physiological phenomena logically based on cause–effect relationships, understand their relevance to increasing lifestyle-related and neurological diseases in an aging society, and apply this knowledge as a foundation for life science and medical fields.
| Middle exam | Final exam | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 15% | 25% | 40% |
| 2. | 15% | 25% | 40% |
| 3. | 10% | 10% | 20% |
| Total. | 40% | 60% | - |
For each class, handouts will either be distributed or made available in a course-specific folder for students to print (the
method will be announced during class). Course credit will be awarded based on the results of the midterm and final examinations.
Exam questions will be drawn from the textbook, handouts, supplementary materials, board work, and oral explanations given
during lectures. If these materials are well understood, students can obtain approximately 80% of the total score. The remaining
20% will be based on understanding the relationships between physiology and related diseases discussed in class (e.g., Alzheimer’s
disease and neurotransmission failure, mechanisms of action of Alzheimer’s medications). Final evaluation will be based on
the combined scores of the midterm and final examinations.
| Class schedule | HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.) | Amount of Time Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Introduction to Physiology: The overall structure of the course and evaluation methods will first be explained. Then, the definition, types, and history of physiology will be introduced, followed by an explanation of homeostasis. The significance of studying physiology, differences from biology and life science, and examples of homeostasis will be discussed. Key distinctions such as “inside vs. outside the body” and “secretion vs. absorption” will be clarified. The latter part will focus on body water (approximately 60% of body weight), including body fluid composition and physiological functions of water. | Prepare in advance on the basics of physiology and the concept of homeostasis | 140minutes |
| Review the lecture content afterward | 50minutes | ||
| 2. | Digestive System 1: Functions and structures of the digestive system will be covered, including neural regulation, digestion and absorption, saliva, and the esophagus. Related diseases such as aspiration pneumonia will also be discussed. | Prepare in advance on the digestive system from food intake to the stomach | 140minutes |
| Review the lecture content afterward | 50minutes | ||
| 3. | Digestive System 2: The structure and function of the stomach will be explained, including gastric acid, gastric mucosa, digestive enzymes, smooth muscle, and the three major nutrients. The mechanism of gastric acid secretion will also be covered. | Prepare in advance on the structure and function of the stomach | 140minutes |
| Review the lecture content afterward | 50minutes | ||
| 4. | Digestive System 3: Continuing from previous sessions, the structure and functions of the duodenum, liver, small intestine,
and large intestine will be discussed. Digestive enzymes, intestinal mucosa, gut microbiota, and the history of digestive
enzyme discovery will be introduced. Because the digestive system is covered over three sessions, the order of topics may change depending on class progress. |
Prepare in advance on the digestive system from the duodenum through nutrient absorption and excretion. | 130minutes |
| Review the lecture content afterward | 60minutes | ||
| 5. | Respiratory System 1: The structure of the lungs, branching of the trachea, and alveolar structure will be explained. Surfactant in alveolar epithelial cells, diaphragm structure and function, and gas exchange in alveoli will also be discussed. | Prepare in advance on the introductory aspects of the respiratory system, including the trachea and alveoli | 90minutes |
| Prepare on respiratory diseases | 50minutes | ||
| Review the lecture content afterward | 50minutes | ||
| 6. | Respiratory System 2: Alveolar expansion and contraction, functions of alveolar epithelial cells and surfactant will be covered.
Respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma will also be explained. Because the respiratory system is covered over two sessions, the order of topics may change depending on class progress. |
Prepare in advance on alveolar epithelial cells and the law of Laplace | 140minutes |
| Also prepare on respiratory diseases | 50minutes | ||
| 7. | Midterm Examination and Review: A midterm examination will be conducted, followed by explanation of the answers. | Review all material covered so far in preparation for the midterm examination | 140minutes |
| Review the midterm examination content afterward | 50minutes | ||
| 8. | Kidney 1: The midterm exam will be returned. The structure and function of the kidney will be discussed, including nephrons, glomeruli, and glomerular filtration. Dialysis and chronic renal failure will also be introduced. | Prepare in advance on the nephron, glomerulus, and glomerular filtration | 140minutes |
| Also prepare on the current status of kidney diseases such as dialysis and chronic renal failure | 50minutes | ||
| 9. | Kidney 2: The significance and calculation of GFR will be explained. The structure and function of renal tubules, particularly reabsorption systems, will be discussed to enhance understanding of glomerular filtration. | Prepare in advance on the calculation methods for GFR | 180minutes |
| Review the lecture content afterward | 60minutes | ||
| 10. | Kidney 3: Tubular reabsorption will be covered, including specific substances and calculation of reabsorption rates. The renin–angiotensin system and reabsorption of glucose and amino acids will also be discussed. | Prepare in advance on the structure and function of renal tubules | 110minutes |
| Prepare on tubular reabsorption | 30minutes | ||
| Review the lecture content afterward | 50minutes | ||
| 11. | Blood 1: Blood components will be explained, focusing on the difference between serum and plasma and osmotic pressure regulation by plasma proteins. Blood volume, composition, and colloid osmotic pressure mechanisms will be discussed. | Prepare in advance on the classification and basic functions of blood | 140minutes |
| Review the lecture content afterward | 50minutes | ||
| 12. | Blood 2: The cardiovascular system will be covered, including the structure and function of the heart, heartbeat, systemic and pulmonary circulation, myocardium, and mechanisms of cardiac contraction. | Prepare in advance on the cardiovascular system, including the heart | 140minutes |
| Review the lecture content afterward | 50minutes | ||
| 13. | Blood 3: Continuing cardiovascular topics, blood vessel structure and function, mechanisms of blood pressure regulation, and
differences between arteries and veins will be explained. Because blood and circulation are covered over three consecutive sessions, the order of topics may change depending on class progress. |
Prepare in advance on the structure of arteries and veins | 140minutes |
| Review the lecture content afterward | 50minutes | ||
| 14. | Final Examination and Review: A final examination will be conducted, followed by explanation of the answers. | Review all topics covered throughout the course | 150minutes |
| Review the material for the final examination | 60minutes | ||
| Total. | - | - | 2730minutes |
| ways of feedback | specific contents about "Other" |
|---|---|
| Feedback in/outside the class. |
SEIRIGAKU TEKISUTO (Rikuo OCHI, Bunkodo). You can use this text book at other classes, such as physiology 1 and cell physiology.
- Every Wednesday lunch time. Please take an appointment
- Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
- Course that cultivates a basic self-management skills
- Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills
| Work experience | Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable |
|---|---|
| Applicable | I studied kidney disease and circulation system in medical university and private hospital. There are many patients in these fields. through the class, they learn about the mechanism of onset or prevention of these diseases. |
- 3.GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
- 4.QUALITY EDUCATION
Last modified : Sat Mar 14 14:21:36 JST 2026