1. Cell Physiology 1-18
 Cell
 Structure of the cell
 Nucleus
 Cytoplasm
 Secretory granules
 Cell Junctions
 Cell Transport
 Homeostasis
 Acid-base homeostasis

2. Blood and body defense 19-57
 Composition of the Blood
 Plasma proteins
 Hematopoiesis
 Red Blood cell indices
 Haemostasis
 Blood types
 Lymphatic System and Lymph
 Blood and immune system

3. Cardiovascular System 58-84
 Origin and development
 Atria and ventricles
 Cardiac valves
 Heart Sound
 Blood Vessels
 Arteries and Arterioles
 Capillaries
 Veins and Venules
 Blood supply to the heart
 Heart Beat
 Heart rate or Pulse rate
 Stroke Volume
 Cardiac Output
 Electrocardiogram (ECG)
 Control of Blood Pressure
 Heart disease

4. Gastrointestinal system 85-119
 Introduction to the gastrointestinal system
 Basic structure and Physiological activity
 Individual components of the gastrointestinal system
 Mechanism of Acid Secretion
 Metabolic Functions of the Live
 Biliary Excretion of Waste Products: Elimination of Bilirubin
 Secretion of Bile and the Role of Bile Acids In Digestion
 Role of Bile Acids in Fat Digestion and Absorption
 Role of Bile Acids in Cholesterol Homeostasis
 Digestive System Physiology
 Digestion, absorption and transport of carbohydrate
 Digestion, absorption and transport of protein
 Digestion, absorption and transport of fat
 Absorption of Water and Electrolytes
 Common disorders

5. Muscular System 120-141
 Muscle Structure and Function
 Structure and Actions of Skeletal Muscles
 The excitation–contraction coupling (ECC) in skeletal muscle
 Mechanisms of skeletal muscle Contraction
 Neural Control of Skeletal Muscles
 Smooth muscle:
 Contraction of smooth muscle:
 Electromyogram:
 Cardiac muscle

6. Endocrine System 142-163
 Hormone Properties
 Hormonal Regulation
 Classes of Hormones
 Hypothalamus
 Pituitary Gland
 Pineal Gland
 Parathyroid Glands
 Adrenal Glands
 Pancreas
 Gonads
 Thymus
 Other Hormone Producing Organs
 Adrenomyeloneuropathy
 Addison’s disease
 Graves’ disease
 Mechanism of Hormone action
 Endocrine Control of Calcium and Phosphate Homeostasis

7. Reproductive system 164-208
 Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus
 The Male Reproductive System
 The Female reproductive system
 The menstrual cycle
 Ovulation
 Physiology of Pregnancy
 Mammary gland and lactation
 Human Milk
 Stages of fetal development
 Birth control
 Sexually Transmitted Diseases

8. Respiratory System 209-228
 Anatomy of the Respiratory System
 Physiology of the Respiratory System
 Pulmonary Ventilation
 Respiratory Volumes and capacities
 Transportation of Gases
 Basic Principles of Gas Exchange
 Carbon Dioxide Transport
 Gas Exchange across the Alveoli
 Homeostatic Control of Respiration
 Health Issues Affecting the Respiratory System

9. Urinary system 229-258
 Kidneys
 Intra-renal network of blood vessels
 Maintenance of Homeostasis
 Production of Hormones
 Formation and composition of urine
 Glomerular filtration
 The concentration of urine
 Regulation of acid-base balance
 Micturition
 Micturition Reflex - Neural Control of Urination
 Tests of renal function
 The role of hormones in renal function

10. Nervous system 259-298
 Introduction to Nervous System
 Reflex Activity
 Physiology of Pain
 Brain
 Thalamus
 Cerebellum
 Basal Ganglia
 Cerebral Cortex
 Limbic System
 Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
 Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).
 Electrical activity of the brain

11. Special Senses 299-315
 The Eye and Vision
 Photo-chemical activity in retina and conversion into neural impulse
 Myopia, Hyperopia, Presbyopia, & Astigmatism
 The Ear: Hearing and Balance
 Mechanism of Hearing
 Chemical Senses: Taste and Smell
 Olfaction: Sense of smell
 Gustation: Sense of Taste

12. Introduction of Genetics 316-325
 DNA discovery
 DNA and RNA in cells
 Structural model of a DNA double helix.
 Properties of RNA
 Chromosomes
 Genetic Inheritance
 DNA Replication
 Transcription / DNA transcription
 Translation

Glossary 326-354

Satyajit Tripathy
M. Sc. (Human Physiology), Ph. D.
Post-doctoral fellow
Department of Pharmacology and Physiology,
University of the Free State,
Po box: 9300, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Barsha Dassarma
M. Sc. (Physiology), Ph. D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Department of Pharmacology and Physiology,
University of the Free State,
Po box: 9300, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Motlalepula Gilbert Matsabisa
M. Sc., Ph. D.
Professor
Department of Pharmacology and Physiology; Faculty: Health Sciences
University of the Free State; PO Box: 339, Bloemfontein 9300,
Chairperson
World Health Organisation’s (WHO)
Regional Expert Advisory Committee on Traditional
Medicines for COVID-19 in Africa