The aim of Physiology I is to provide students with an understanding of the basic functions of the human body under physiological conditions and of the principles underlying their regulation, coordination, and integration. The course is taught through lectures, practical classes, and seminars. Emphasis is placed on the functional organisation of the human body, the maintenance of homeostasis, and the relationships between individual regulatory mechanisms.
Lectures: homeostasis and allostasis; body fluid compartments; blood physiology, hemostasis, and blood groups; physiology of innate and adaptive immunity; general neurophysiology (transport of substances across the cell membrane, membrane potentials, generation and propagation of action potentials, synaptic and neuromuscular transmission); physiology of skeletal and smooth muscle; physiology of sensory systems and pain; central nervous system (reflexes, control of posture and movement, autonomic nervous system, hypothalamus, wakefulness and sleep, biological rhythms, motivation and emotion, learning, memory, speech and other higher cortical functions, brain metabolism and circulation, cerebrospinal fluid, and the blood–brain barrier); cardiovascular system (electrical and mechanical properties of the myocardium, cardiac conduction system, cardiac cycle, ECG, cardiac output, hemodynamics, microcirculation, regional circulations, and regulation of the cardiovascular system).
Practical classes: selected physiological and clinically relevant examination methods and procedures, including demonstration of action potentials and neuromuscular transmission; examination of vision, hearing, and vestibular function; basic neurological examination; basic hematological examinations, including differential leukocyte count, hemostasis testing, and blood group determination; physical examination of the heart; and blood pressure measurement.
Seminars focus on consolidating, integrating, and applying the knowledge acquired.
Entry requirements – prerequisites: completed Anatomy II (FGP003) and Histology and Embryology II (FGP005).
Outcomes:
1. The student is able to explain the basic functions of the blood and immune system and the principles of general neurophysiology, myology, central nervous system physiology, sensory physiology, and cardiovascular physiology.
2. The student is able to explain the principal mechanisms regulating individual physiological functions and their importance in maintaining homeostasis.
3. The student is able to perform selected basic physiological and clinically relevant examinations and correctly interpret their results.
4. The student is able to integrate knowledge from different areas of physiology and apply it to simple model clinical scenarios.
Poslední úprava: Kučera Otto, prof. MUDr., Ph.D. (22.09.2026)
Cíl předmětu - angličtina
The aims:
The student acquires basic theoretical knowledge of the functions of the organ systems covered in the course.
The student acquires practical skills related to essential clinical examinations and learns to interpret the results independently.
The student develops basic clinical reasoning skills through model case studies.
Poslední úprava: Kučera Otto, prof. MUDr., Ph.D. (22.09.2026)
Literatura - angličtina
Compulsory literature
Hall et Hall: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, Elsevier 2025, 2020, and 2016
Moodle - Manual for the Practical Classes in Physiology
Moodle - Pdf lecture materials
Recommended literature
Barrett: Ganong´s Review of Medical Physiology, Lange/McGraw Hill, 2025, 2019
Boron, Boulpaep: Medical Physiology, Elsevier, 2017
Silbernagl, Despopoulos: Color Atlas of Physiology, Georg Thieme Verlg, 2015
Poslední úprava: Kučera Otto, prof. MUDr., Ph.D. (22.09.2026)
Kontroly studia předmětu a podmínky pro jejich úspěšné vykonání, způsob hodnocení - angličtina
I. General Rules
Attendance at practical classes and seminars is mandatory.
Students must come to class properly prepared with respect to: -the practical work to be performed during the class -the theory relevant to the practical class or seminar -the scope of the required preparation is specified in Moodle or clarified by the instructor.
Students’ preparation will be assessed during class, particularly through short microtests, questions from the instructor, or active participation in the seminar. If the teacher finds that a student is seriously underprepared, this may be treated as an absence.
During class, students must follow the teacher’s directions and comply with the workplace safety and organizational rules.
Students showing clear signs of an acute infectious disease or another health condition that could endanger themselves or others are not permitted to enter the Department of Physiology or attend practical classes, seminars, or examinations.
Personal electronic devices must not be used during class for purposes unrelated to teaching. Tablets, laptops, and mobile phones may be used for educational purposes, such as working with teaching materials or measuring time. Any other use requires the teacher’s approval.
At the end of a practical class, students must clean their work area and equipment as directed by the teacher or assistant.
All announcements, changes to teaching arrangements, and other important information are posted in Moodle. Students are required to check this information regularly.
The practical teaching areas and seminar rooms of the Department of Physiology are monitored by video surveillance system (CCTV). Recordings may be used to verify compliance with teaching rules and, in justified cases, may be provided to the Disciplinary Committee of the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové in accordance with applicable legislation and internal regulations.
During teaching sessions, practical classes, seminars, and examinations, students must follow the instructors’ directions and the rules of the Department of Physiology, the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, and Charles University.
These rules may be amended if the nature of teaching changes, for example in response to the current epidemiological situation or applicable regulations. Students will be informed of any changes through Moodle.
II. Credit Requirements
To receive course credit for the winter semester, students must meet all of the following requirements (each requirement is described in detail below): 1. meet the attendance requirements; 2. properly complete and submit the laboratory protocols for all practical classes, including classes they did not attend in person; 3. meet the requirements relating to seminar topics; 4. obtain at least 60% in each seminar test after any bonus points from microtests have been added.
II.1. Attendance
1.A maximum of three absences is permitted during the semester.
2.Absences properly excused because a student is officially representing the Faculty are not included in the total number of absences. Such absence may be officially excused by the Student Affairs Office, a relevant Vice-Dean, or a physical education teacher.
3.A student with four or five countable absences during the semester will be examined on the content of the classes they missed before course credit is awarded. This examination will take place during the course-credit practical class.
4.If a student has more than five countable absences, the course guarantor will assess individually the requirements for credit and whether course credit may be awarded.
5.Absence from a practical class does not release a student from the obligation to complete the relevant laboratory protocol. The student must obtain the results needed to complete it from classmates but must independently evaluate the results and write the report conclusion.
6.If a student is repeatedly absent from seminars, they will be examined during the course-credit practical class on the topics covered in all seminars they did not attend.
7.Late arrival at, or unauthorized departure from, a practical class or seminar are treated as an absence.
8.Arranging a replacement of a practical class or seminar with another study group is permitted only in exceptional and justified cases and is not guaranteed. Students must request permission in advance, at least 2 working days before the relevant practical class or seminar, by e-mailing fyziols@lfhk.cuni.cz. The request must include the student’s name, study group, the date and time of the class they cannot attend, the reason for the request, and, where applicable, a proposed make-up date. The teacher or course guarantor decides whether the replacement class will be approved
II.2. Practical Class Laboratory Protocol
1.For each practical class, students must complete a laboratory protocol using the relevant template. Protocol templates are posted in Moodle. Students must bring a printed copy of the relevant protocol to the practical class.
2.Unless otherwise specified by the teacher, the laboratory protocol is completed during the practical class. At the end of the class, students must present it to the teacher for review. The teacher may require corrections or additions.
3.Students must state the specific physiological range of the measured variable in the laboratory protocol whenever a range has been established for that parameter. It is not sufficient merely to state that the result was “within the normal range” or “outside the normal range.” If a measured value is outside the physiological range, the student must evaluate the result and discuss possible physiological, methodological, or other reasons for the deviation.
4.If a student is absent from a practical class, they must obtain the measurement results from classmates but independently evaluate the report and write the conclusion.
5.Failure to present or submit the required laboratory protocol at the end of a practical class may be treated by the teacher as an absence.
6.At the course-credit practical class, students must submit a complete set of laboratory protocols for the entire semester. Submission of all required, properly completed reports is a condition for the award of course credit.
II.3. Seminars and Seminar Topics
1.Seminars are designed to provide reviewing and strengthening of knowledge in the relevant area of physiology and to apply this knowledge through discussion and the solution of specific questions or cases.
2.The topics or questions to be prepared by students for each seminar are posted in Moodle in advance.
3.Every student must come to the seminar prepared for all published topics.
4. During the seminar, the teacher calls on individual students to answer questions on selected topics. Students must deliver their presentation from memory.
5.Delivering the assigned seminar presentation to an adequate standard is a prerequisite for obtaining course credit.
6.If a student does not demonstrate adequate knowledge of the assigned topic during a seminar, they will be examined on the topics from that seminar during the course-credit practical class.
II.4. Seminar Tests
1.Each thematic unit includes seminar tests that assess knowledge of the relevant area of physiology.
2.Seminar tests are completed electronically in Moodle at the end of the seminars.
3.Each test consists of 20 questions, with 20 minutes allowed for completion. Each question offers four answer options, at least one of which is always correct. The newly introduced sensory physiology test is an exception: it uses Single Best Answer (SBA) questions, in which one best answer must be selected.
4.To meet the course-credit requirements, students must obtain at least 60% in each seminar test, including any bonus points earned from the microtests in the relevant thematic unit.
5.A result below 60% means that the test has not been passed and must be retaken.
6.Students have a total of three attempts at each seminar test, including the initial scheduled attempt.
7.At a single retake session, students may retake any number of seminar tests they have not passed. Students must register for retake tests in Moodle at least 24 hours before the test.
8.The winter-semester retake test dates are listed below. ·Fridays, 23.10., 6.11., 20.11., 4.12., and 18.12.2026, always from 14:00 h ·Wednesdays 11.11., 25.11., and 9.12. 2026, and 6.1.2027, always from 07:00 h. ·During the examination period, retake tests will be held on Friday 22.1. 2026 from 11:00 h and then on Wednesdays 27.1., 3.2., and 10.2.2027 from 08:00 h. Further dates will not be offered until the summer semester. Retake tests may also be taken during the course-credit practical class.
9. After a seminar test has ended, students may not subsequently review the test questions or their recorded answers.
10. During a test, the use of unauthorized aids, communication with other students, and any other form of cheating are prohibited. If this rule is breached, the test may be graded 0%, and the student’s conduct may be referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové.
Microtests in Practical Classes
A microtest is given during every practical class except theoretical hematology teaching sessions and seminars.
Each microtest contains five questions based on the guide for the relevant practical class posted in Moodle.
Students receive one point for each correct answer. The maximum score for a microtest is therefore five points.
Microtest results are recorded in the student’s record.
Microtest scores earn bonus points as follows: ·4 out of 5 points = a bonus of +1 percentage point ·5 out of 5 points = a bonus of +2 percentage points
Bonus points from individual practical classes are added together within the relevant thematic unit and added to the result of the corresponding seminar test.
The seminar-test result, including the bonus points earned, counts toward meeting the 60% threshold. Microtests cannot be retaken.
Procedure when course-credit requirements have not been met by the course-credit practical class
Course credit may be awarded only after all requirements set out in these rules have been met.
If a student has not met all requirements for the award of course credit by the date of the course-credit practical class, “course credit not awarded” (“K”) will be entered in SIS on that date.
The student must arrange the date of their next attempt to meet the requirements and obtain course credit individually with the teaching assistant who conducted their course-credit practical class.
4.If the student still does not meet the requirements for the award of course credit, the additional dates for recording “K” in SIS will be: ·15 February 2027, i.e. the first day of the summer semester, ·31 August 2027.
III. Students Following an Individual Study Plan
Students following an individual study plan who have received course credit only for Physiology I must attend all teaching sessions in the summer semester in order to receive course credit for Physiology II.
Students following an individual study plan who have received course credit for both Physiology I and II are required to attend only seminars that include a test in the summer semester and must attend each such seminar in full.
IV. Requirements for Registration and Attendance at the Examination
Only students who have received course credit for both the winter and summer semesters may register for the physiology examination.
Registration for and withdrawal from the examination are conducted exclusively through SIS.
The examination is held in person.
The first examination attempt consists of an initial test and an oral examination.
A score below 50% on the initial test results in a grade of “failed,” and the student does not proceed to the oral examination.
Retake examinations are conducted exclusively in oral form.
During the examination, the use of unauthorized aids, communication with other students, and any other form of cheating are prohibited. If this rule is breached, the student will receive a grade of “failed,” and the conduct may be referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové.
After drawing the examination questions, students may not leave the room in which they are preparing for the examination without the examiner’s permission. In an emergency, they may leave only with the instructor’s approval and under the specified conditions. The examiner may assign the student an additional question.
Detailed organizational information about the examination will be posted in Moodle during the summer semester.
Poslední úprava: Kučera Otto, prof. MUDr., Ph.D. (22.09.2026)
Sylabus - angličtina
Lectures
Prof. Michaela Adamcová, M.D., Ph.D.
Prof. Otto Kučera, M.D., Ph.D.
Introduction to Physiology (Teaching Concept and Fundamental Physiological Principles). Homeostasis and Its Regulatory Mechanisms. Allostasis.
Transport of Ions and Molecules Across the Cell Membrane. Transmembrane Gradients. Equilibrium Potential. Resting Membrane Potential.
Non-conductive and conductive membranes. Excitability. Stimulus, Local Response, and Action Potential; Changes in Excitability and Refractory Periods. Propagation of Action Potentials. Factors Affecting Conduction Velocity; Types of Nerve Fibres. Nerve Degeneration and Regeneration.
Synapses and Synaptic Transmission.
Neurotransmitters. Excitatory and Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials. Presynaptic, Postsynaptic, and Recurrent Inhibition. Functional Interactions Between Neurons.
Neuromuscular Transmission and Muscle Activation. Motor Unit. Mechanism of Skeletal Muscle Contraction; Myogram, Summation, and Tetanus. Properties of Skeletal Muscle. Types of Muscle Fibres. Muscle Tone, Force, Work, and Fatigue. Energy Sources and Oxygen Consumption.
Physiology of Smooth Muscle: Electrical and Mechanical Properties, Mechanism of Contraction, and Regulation.
Stimulus, Receptor Potential, and Generator Potential; Receptor Adaptation. Coding of Stimulus Modality, Intensity, and Duration.
Vision. Optical System of the Eye. Phototransduction. Spatial Vision and Colour Vision. Common Clinical Disorders of Vision. Accommodation, Visual Acuity, Visual Adaptation, Visual Field, and Scotoma.
Hearing. Transmission of Sound to the Organ of Corti; Tonotopic Organisation. Conductive and Perception Hearing Loss.
Vestibular Apparatus: Static and Dynamic Receptors. Nystagmus.
Somatosensory Modalities: Tactile Sensation and Temperature Perception. Olfaction and Gustation. Common Sensory Disorders.
Pain and Its Clinical Significance. Activation and Sensitisation of Nociceptors. Pain Pathways and Their Inhibition. Physiological Basis of Placebo and Nocebo Effects.
Functional Organisation of the Central Nervous System. Reflexes: Reflex Arc and Classification.
Muscle Spindle, Stretch Reflex, Gamma Motor System, and Muscle Tone.
Golgi Tendon Organ, Inverse Stretch Reflex, and Reciprocal Inhibition.
Flexor and Crossed Extensor Reflexes. Spinal Locomotor Pattern Generators.
Motor Functions of the Brainstem.
Regulation of Movement by the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum; Involvement of the Thalamus in Motor Circuits.
Cortical Control of Voluntary Movement: Motor Areas, Movement Planning and Execution, and Corticospinal and Corticobulbar Tracts.
Autonomic Nervous System: General Characteristics, Functional Organisation, Autonomic Reflexes, Neurotransmitters, Receptors, and Physiological Effects.
Regulation of Autonomic Functions by the Spinal Cord and Brainstem: Visceral Reflexes and Major Autonomic Integration Centres. The Hypothalamus as an Integrative Centre of Homeostasis.
Wakefulness and Wake-Promoting Neuronal Systems. Sleep. Consciousness and Its Disorders; Ascending Arousal Systems and EEG.
Biological Rhythms: The Circadian System and Circadian Desynchronisation.
Innate Forms of Behaviour and the Limbic System. Acquired Forms of Behaviour: Non-associative and Associative Learning and Complex Forms of Learning. Memory, Dynamic Stereotype, and Mechanisms of Memory.
Specific Features of Human Neural Activity: Prefrontal Cortex, Speech, Aphasia, and Functional Lateralisation of the Cerebral Hemispheres.
Metabolism of Nervous Tissue. Cerebral Circulation and Its Regulation. Intracranial Pressure. Cerebrospinal Fluid. Blood–Brain Barrier.
Body Fluids: Distribution, Composition, and Characteristics of Individual Fluid Compartments; Effects of Age and Sex.
Composition, Properties, and Functions of Blood.
Erythrocytes: Shape, Dimensions, Count, Functions, Haemolysis, and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.
Hemoglobin: Concentration, Functions, Types, Derivatives, and Oxygen-Binding Curve. Anaemia.
Erythropoiesis and Erythrocyte Destruction; Substrates and Regulation of Erythropoiesis; Hemoglobin Catabolism.
Hemostasis. Vascular Response, Primary Haemostatic Plug, and the Role of Platelets in Hemostasis. Platelets and Thrombopoiesis. Blood Coagulation; Physiological and Pharmacological Inhibition of Coagulation In Vivo and In Vitro. Fibrinolysis. Laboratory Assessment of Hemostasis.
Blood Plasma: Composition and Properties. Acid–Base Balance of Blood: Buffer Systems and Compensatory Mechanisms.
Leukocytes: Types, Count, and Basic Functions. Leukopoiesis.
Physiology of the Immune System: Innate and Adaptive Immunity. Cells and Organs of the Immune System; Fundamental Terminology. Antigen Recognition, Immune Responses, and Their Regulation. Immunological Memory and Tolerance. Interactions Between Innate and Adaptive Immunity. Ontogeny of the Immune System. Active and Passive Immunisation. Inflammation. Type I Hypersensitivity.
Blood Groups: ABO and Rh Systems and Other Blood Group Systems. Clinical Significance of Blood Groups. Fundamentals of Transfusion Physiology.
Electrical Properties of the Myocardium: Resting Membrane Potential. Action Potentials with fast and slow depolarization; Pacemaker Potential. Cardiac Conduction System: Generation and Propagation of Cardiac Excitation and Their Clinical Significance. Mechanical Properties of the Myocardium and Excitation–Contraction Coupling.
The Heart as a Pump. Cardiac Cycle and Its Phases. Heart Sounds. Volume and Pressure Changes in the Cardiac Chambers. Mechanical Work of the Heart.
Electrocardiogram: ECG Leads, Genesis of the ECG Curve, and Its Interpretation. Cardiac Output, Stroke Volume, and Ejection Fraction: Principles of Measurement and Regulation of Cardiac Output.
Hemodynamics. Functional Classification of the Circulatory System. Blood Flow Through Vessels: Velocity and Flow Patterns.
Pressure Gradients in the Circulatory System. Arterial Blood Pressure and Its Measurement.
Arterial and Arteriolar Circulation. Microcirculation and Transcapillary Exchange; Formation of Interstitial Fluid and Oedema. Functions of Lymphatic Vessels.
Venous Circulation and Venous Return. Preload and the Frank–Starling Mechanism. Changes in Venous Return During Orthostasis and Exercise.
Coronary Circulation and Myocardial Metabolism. Pulmonary, Cerebral, Skeletal Muscle, and Cutaneous Circulation. Placental and Fetal Circulation.
Practical courses & seminars
Lecturers:
Prof. MUDr. Michaela Adamcová, Ph.D.
RNDr. Lukáš Alán, Ph.D.
MUDr. Renáta Ferenčíková, Ph.D.
Prof. MUDr. Otto Kučera, Ph.D.
Doc. MUDr. Halka Lotková, Ph.D.
MUDr. Kristián Lux
PharmDr. Marie Rubášová, Ph.D.
MUDr. Lenka Rule
Mgr. Pavla Staňková, Ph.D.
MUDr. Václav Šafka, Ph.D.
PharmDr. Alžbeta Štefela, Ph.D.
MUDr. Martina Trávníčková, Ph.D.
RNDr. Veronika Uhrová
Seminars:
Test (MCQ) and seminar - General neurophysiology and myology.
Test (MCQ) and seminar - Senses.
Test (MCQ) and seminar - Central nervous system.
Test (MCQ) and seminar - Hematology.
Test (MCQ) and seminar - Immunology.
Practical courses (Topics order differs for every group. You can find your group schedule on Moodle):
Introduction to practical laboratories. Rules of safety work in laboratories.
Action potencial (ADI).
Neuromuscular transmision (ADI).
Ophthalmoscopy, Purkynje pictures. Investigation of visual field - perimetry, Mariott experiment (demonstration of blind spot), stereoscopy and depth vision.
Visual acuity, astigmatism, testing of colour vision.
The sense of hearing - subjective and objective examination of hearing (whispering, tuning fork test, audiometry).
Investigation of vestibular functions, observing of ear drum.
Autonomic nervous system (ADI). Rules of blood handling and blood sampling.
Basic neurological examination - proprioceptive and exteroceptive reflexes.
Counting of red blood cells. Packed cell volume (PCV - Hematocrit). Red blood cell sedimentation.
Summary - RBC – number, calculation of red blood cell indices.
Hemolysis. Testing of fragility of red blood cells. Hemoglobin derivatives.
Summary – Hemoglobin, hemolysis.
Investigation of capillary resistance. Investigation of bleeding time. Determination of clotting time (Lee-White, APTT, prothrombin time).
Summary – Hemostasis.
Testing for blood group and Rh factor. Leukocytes - classification of white blood cells (differential count).
Summary - WBC, blood groups and Rh factor.
Physical examination of cardiovascular system. Determination of arterial blood pressure.
E-learning.
Credit.
Poslední úprava: Kučera Otto, prof. MUDr., Ph.D. (22.09.2026)
Podmínky zápisu předmětu - angličtina
Entry requirements: prerequisites: Anatomy II (FGP003) and Histology and Embryology II (FGP005).
Poslední úprava: Kučera Otto, prof. MUDr., Ph.D. (22.09.2026)
