Anatomy and Physiology
1. Integumentary System:
• Define the general classification of tissues within an organ and apply this to skin.
• Describe the structure and functions of skin.
• Describe the different types of skin cell and explain how their structure helps them to fulfil their
function.
• Identify the characteristic features in histological sections of human skin (epidermis, dermis, hair
follicles)
• Preparation of tissue for visualisation under a microscope.
• Describe how skin can regenerates under normal physiological conditions.
• Describe wound healing in the skin (at molecular, cell, and tissue levels).
2. Cells and organelles
• Label the major organelles/sub-cellular structures of a typical human cell.
• Describe the functions of major organelles/sub-cellular structures.
• Relate particular structural features to the specific function of a cell type (using skin cells as an
example).
• Describe key intracellular processes, (e.g., protein trafficking, protein degradation).
• Describe some of the behaviours/activities of human cells (using skin cells as an example).
• Give examples of some clinical consequences of abnormal cell structure or abnormal cell
behaviour/activity.
3. Gene Expression
• Understand the term "The Central Dogma”
• Define the terms “transcription” and “translation” and outline the main features of these processes
• Describe how mutations, insertions, deletions and translocations arise
• List some conditions that arise as a consequence of altered gene expression
4. Stem cells and differentiation
• Appreciate the concept of ‘life from single cell’.
• Explain potency of cells and process of differentiation to form diverse tissue types using skin as an
example.
• Define multiple biological processes that a stem cell can undergo using blood as a model tissue.
• Describe factors controlling stem cell fate.
• Understand the background molecular biology managing stem cell and differentiation i.e. gene
expression and regulation.
5. Protein Biochemistry
• describe how the structure and conformation of proteins explains how they function
• describe how protein function is regulated
• illustrate these points with appropriate examples
,6. Blood
• Describe the main components of blood and outline its functions.
• Describe the major cells types in blood and outline their functions
• Describe haemopoiesis
• Describe how blood loss stops (haemostasis) after wounding.
• Describe the processes by which blood clots (coagulation).
7. Shock
• define shock;
• list three types of shock;
• describe the changes in pulse rate, respiration and responsiveness which occur in haemorrhagic
shock;
8. Cell Cycle and Cancer
• Define and distinguish between the terms ‘tumour’ and ‘cancer’.
• Explain how tumours arise at a molecular and cellular level, as a consequence of mutations in
proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.
• Define the cell cycle, describe its various stages and outline how it is normally regulated.
• Explain the basic principles of an X-ray, CT scan and MRI scan and say when it would be appropriate
to use each of these.
• Describe the events of the normal cell cycle and control mechanisms.
• Describe the role of signaling molecules in the cell cycle
• Explain the difference between proto-oncogenes, and tumour suppressor genes
• Describe how gene mutations can lead to cancer
9. Neoplasia
• Define neoplasia, and describe the essential features of neoplasia
• Describe the differences between benign and malignant disease
• List and define the terminology used in the description of neoplasms
• Explain the concept of pre-malignancy
10. Bones and joints
• Describe the composition of bone at a tissue, cellular and molecular level
• Describe the structure of a synovial joint
• Describe the normal anatomy of joints (hip and knee as examples)
• Classify the different types of joint according to their composition and according to the movements
they allow.
• Describe the composition of cartilage.
• Describe the anatomy of the shoulder joints (gleno-humeral and acromio-clavicular) and vaguely
related, sterno-clavicular.
• Describe the muscles of the shoulder and relate their contraction or relaxation to specific
movements of the shoulder.
, • Distinguish between a ligament and tendon.
• Describe the inflammatory response.
• Discuss the nature and management of an acromio-clavicular joint disruption/injury.
11. Signalling
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic principles of cell signalling;
• Classify signalling molecules according to their chemical nature, their range of action and/or their
mechanism of action;
• Distinguish between first and second messengers;
• Describe the mechanisms of RTK signalling; G-protein-mediated signalling; and steroid receptor
signalling;
• Give examples of aberrant signalling leading to clinical conditions or disease;
• Give examples of signalling molecules or pathways relevant to the weekly theme (musculoskeletal
systems: bones and joints).
12. Osteoarthritis
• Define osteoarthritis and understand the changes in articular cartilage
• Describe the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis
• Discuss clinical signs and x-ray findings in osteoarthritis
• List the medical and surgical treatment options for osteoarthritis
13. Extracellular Matrix
• Describe the nature and function of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including
proteoglycans and fibrous proteins;
• Describe the composition of osteoid and cartilage (ECM in bones and joints);
• Describe how cell interactions with ECM components influences cell behaviour.
14. Muscle Physiology
• Describe Resting membrane potential
• Describe initiation of Action potential
• Be familiar with the microstructure of muscle
• Understand the mechanism of muscle contraction.
15. Muscles – the moving body
• Identify and describe the function of major muscle groups/compartments
• Identify the key stabilising structures of each major joint (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle)
• Identify major signs of common injuries radiologically
• Discuss the anatomical basis for basic physical examination of each of the major joints
• Identify the major features of the vertebral column and supporting structures
16. Nervous System
• Describe the major divisions of the nervous system with specific examples (CNS/PNS/ANS)
• Identify the major features of the brain and spinal cord
• Identify the major groups of peripheral nerves
1. Integumentary System:
• Define the general classification of tissues within an organ and apply this to skin.
• Describe the structure and functions of skin.
• Describe the different types of skin cell and explain how their structure helps them to fulfil their
function.
• Identify the characteristic features in histological sections of human skin (epidermis, dermis, hair
follicles)
• Preparation of tissue for visualisation under a microscope.
• Describe how skin can regenerates under normal physiological conditions.
• Describe wound healing in the skin (at molecular, cell, and tissue levels).
2. Cells and organelles
• Label the major organelles/sub-cellular structures of a typical human cell.
• Describe the functions of major organelles/sub-cellular structures.
• Relate particular structural features to the specific function of a cell type (using skin cells as an
example).
• Describe key intracellular processes, (e.g., protein trafficking, protein degradation).
• Describe some of the behaviours/activities of human cells (using skin cells as an example).
• Give examples of some clinical consequences of abnormal cell structure or abnormal cell
behaviour/activity.
3. Gene Expression
• Understand the term "The Central Dogma”
• Define the terms “transcription” and “translation” and outline the main features of these processes
• Describe how mutations, insertions, deletions and translocations arise
• List some conditions that arise as a consequence of altered gene expression
4. Stem cells and differentiation
• Appreciate the concept of ‘life from single cell’.
• Explain potency of cells and process of differentiation to form diverse tissue types using skin as an
example.
• Define multiple biological processes that a stem cell can undergo using blood as a model tissue.
• Describe factors controlling stem cell fate.
• Understand the background molecular biology managing stem cell and differentiation i.e. gene
expression and regulation.
5. Protein Biochemistry
• describe how the structure and conformation of proteins explains how they function
• describe how protein function is regulated
• illustrate these points with appropriate examples
,6. Blood
• Describe the main components of blood and outline its functions.
• Describe the major cells types in blood and outline their functions
• Describe haemopoiesis
• Describe how blood loss stops (haemostasis) after wounding.
• Describe the processes by which blood clots (coagulation).
7. Shock
• define shock;
• list three types of shock;
• describe the changes in pulse rate, respiration and responsiveness which occur in haemorrhagic
shock;
8. Cell Cycle and Cancer
• Define and distinguish between the terms ‘tumour’ and ‘cancer’.
• Explain how tumours arise at a molecular and cellular level, as a consequence of mutations in
proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.
• Define the cell cycle, describe its various stages and outline how it is normally regulated.
• Explain the basic principles of an X-ray, CT scan and MRI scan and say when it would be appropriate
to use each of these.
• Describe the events of the normal cell cycle and control mechanisms.
• Describe the role of signaling molecules in the cell cycle
• Explain the difference between proto-oncogenes, and tumour suppressor genes
• Describe how gene mutations can lead to cancer
9. Neoplasia
• Define neoplasia, and describe the essential features of neoplasia
• Describe the differences between benign and malignant disease
• List and define the terminology used in the description of neoplasms
• Explain the concept of pre-malignancy
10. Bones and joints
• Describe the composition of bone at a tissue, cellular and molecular level
• Describe the structure of a synovial joint
• Describe the normal anatomy of joints (hip and knee as examples)
• Classify the different types of joint according to their composition and according to the movements
they allow.
• Describe the composition of cartilage.
• Describe the anatomy of the shoulder joints (gleno-humeral and acromio-clavicular) and vaguely
related, sterno-clavicular.
• Describe the muscles of the shoulder and relate their contraction or relaxation to specific
movements of the shoulder.
, • Distinguish between a ligament and tendon.
• Describe the inflammatory response.
• Discuss the nature and management of an acromio-clavicular joint disruption/injury.
11. Signalling
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic principles of cell signalling;
• Classify signalling molecules according to their chemical nature, their range of action and/or their
mechanism of action;
• Distinguish between first and second messengers;
• Describe the mechanisms of RTK signalling; G-protein-mediated signalling; and steroid receptor
signalling;
• Give examples of aberrant signalling leading to clinical conditions or disease;
• Give examples of signalling molecules or pathways relevant to the weekly theme (musculoskeletal
systems: bones and joints).
12. Osteoarthritis
• Define osteoarthritis and understand the changes in articular cartilage
• Describe the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis
• Discuss clinical signs and x-ray findings in osteoarthritis
• List the medical and surgical treatment options for osteoarthritis
13. Extracellular Matrix
• Describe the nature and function of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including
proteoglycans and fibrous proteins;
• Describe the composition of osteoid and cartilage (ECM in bones and joints);
• Describe how cell interactions with ECM components influences cell behaviour.
14. Muscle Physiology
• Describe Resting membrane potential
• Describe initiation of Action potential
• Be familiar with the microstructure of muscle
• Understand the mechanism of muscle contraction.
15. Muscles – the moving body
• Identify and describe the function of major muscle groups/compartments
• Identify the key stabilising structures of each major joint (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle)
• Identify major signs of common injuries radiologically
• Discuss the anatomical basis for basic physical examination of each of the major joints
• Identify the major features of the vertebral column and supporting structures
16. Nervous System
• Describe the major divisions of the nervous system with specific examples (CNS/PNS/ANS)
• Identify the major features of the brain and spinal cord
• Identify the major groups of peripheral nerves
