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HUBS 191: Human Body Systems 1

First Semester - 18 points

Course overview

An introduction to the structure and function of the musculoskeletal, nervous, endocrine and immune systems in the human body.

We all take for granted that our body functions within a normal range whether we are sitting at a desk or climbing through the bush on a hot day. Our body achieves this using the principles of homeostasis. In HUBS 191 understanding these principles provides the foundation for the paper. You will investigate homeostasis from the perspective of movement (Human Movement and Sensation), hormones (Endocrine system) and response to injury (Immune System) using conceptual learning about the structure (Anatomy) and function (Physiology) of these systems. The paper integrates this material to help you understand how and why your body operates as such an efficient machine over such a wide range of conditions.

Lecture course overview

Staff from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology teach in the following lectures of this course:

Lecture 40: Introduction to Immunology and the Immune System (Dr Joanna Kirman)

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to:

  • Define the immune system.
  • Describe the main features of the human lymphatic system.
  • List the main features of each of the two ‘arms’ of the immune system.
  • Describe the major discoveries that have contributed towards our current understanding of the immune system.

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau, 8th Edition.

Essential:

  • p. 746-747, Organisation of the immune system
  • p. 724, Fig. 23-2

Lecture 41: Innate Immunity I: 'Mechanical & Chemical Barriers' and 'Inflammation & Fever' (Dr Joanna Kirman)

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to:

  • Describe the physical and chemical aspects of skin that enable it to prevent the entrance of pathogens.
  • Identify the locations of the body’s mucous membranes and explain how they protect the body both physically and chemically.
  • Describe the role of antimicrobial peptides and proteins in body defences.
  • Describe the main characteristics of inflammation.

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau, 8th Edition.

Essential:

  • p. 748-749, Mechanical and Chemical Barriers
  • p. 155, Fig. 6-39
  • p. 771, Box 24-8
  • p. 749-752, Inflammation and Fever
  • p. 146, Box 6-3

Lecture 42: Innate Immunity II: Toll-like Receptors, Phagocytosis & Complement (Dr Joanna Kirman)

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to:

  • Describe the benefits of inflammation in fighting infection.
  • Describe the role of Toll-like receptors in the innate immune response.
  • Name and describe the 6 stages of phagocytosis.
  • Outline the complement system.
  • Outline ways by which pathogens can evade the innate immune system.

Pre-reading

Patton and Thibodeau, 8th Edition.

Essential:

  • p. 752-753, Phagocytosis
  • p. 755, Complement
  • p. 761-762, Complement
  • p. 755-756, Toll-like Receptors
  • p. 146, Box 6-3 

Lecture 43: Elements of Adaptive Immunity (Associate Professor Alex McLellan)      

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to: 

  • Define the term ‘antigen’.
  • Explain the roles of antigen presenting cells.
  • Describe the two classes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
  • Contrast endogenous antigen processing with exogenous antigen processing.

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau 8th Edition.

Essential:

  • p. 746-747, Organisation of the immune system
  • MHC: p. 754, Box 24-1

Lecture 44: T Lymphocytes (T cells) (Associate Professor Alex McLellan)

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to:

  • Describe the thymic origin and basic characteristics of T cells.
  • Contrast the roles of CD4 helper cells with CD8 cytotoxic T cells.

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau 8th Edition.

Essential:

  • p. 756-758, Overview of Adaptive Immunity
  • p. 764-770, T cells

Lecture 45: B Lymphocytes (B cells) and Antibodies (Associate Professor Alex McLellan)                                                                    

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to:

  • Describe the characteristics of B lymphocytes and their B cell receptors.
  • Describe the basic structure of an antibody (immunoglobulin) molecule.
  • Contrast the structure and function of the five classes of immunoglobulins.
  • Know the three functions of antibodies (opsonisation, neutralisation and complement activation).

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau 8th Edition.

Essential:

  • p. 758-762, B cells and antibody mediated immunity

Lecture 46: Antibody-mediated (humoral) Immune Response (Associate Professor Alex McLellan)                                                                     

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to: 

  • Describe the formation and functions of plasma cells and memory B cells.
  • Describe the steps and effect of clonal selection.
  • Contrast primary and memory immune responses.

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau 8th Edition.

Essential:

  • p. 762-764, Primary and secondary immune responses

Lecture 47: Immune Responses to Bacterial Pathogens (Dr Bruce Russell)

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to:

  • Describe the mechanisms of immunity for protection against extracellular bacterial pathogens.
  • Describe the protective responses mediated by T cells, B cells and antibodies
  • Understand the mechanisms of vaccination against bacterial pathogens: Toxoids (Diphtheria, Tetanus), sub-units (Meningococcal vaccine) and attenuated TB vaccine (BCG).

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau 8th Edition.

Essential:

Revise material p. 762-765

Lecture 48: Immune Responses to Viral Pathogens (Dr Bruce Russell)                                                                                                  

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to:

  • Describe the mechanisms of immunity for protection against viruses.
  • Describe the protective responses mediated by T cells, B cells and antibodies
  • Understand the mechanisms of vaccination against viral pathogens
  • Describe the mechanisms involved with active and passive immunisation.
  • Understand why attenuated and inactivated vaccines are optimal for protection against viruses

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau 8th Edition.

Revise material p. 768-771 

Lecture 49: Allergies, Autoimmunity and Immunodeficiency (Dr Bruce Russell)  

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to:

  • Understand how allergies develop
  • Describe the mechanisms involved in allergies.
  • Describe the mechanisms that result in autoimmunity.
  • Understand and give examples of immunodeficiencies.

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau 8th Edition.

Essential:

  • p. 772-775

Lecture 50: Overview Immune Response (Dr Bruce Russell)  

Objectives

After you have revised this lecture you should be able to:

  • Describe the organs, cells and molecules and their interactions required to produce a competent immune system.
  • Appreciate how diverse pathways have evolved to protect individuals against a wide range of microbial pathogens.

Pre-reading

Patton & Thibodeau, 8th Edition. Chapter 24

Revise material p. 746-775, The immune system

Fig. 24.27

Teaching staff

For more information

For the full content of the course, see the HUBS 191 course page on the University of Otago website.

Students are encouraged to contact staff by email to make arrangements for a time to discuss course-related matters.

For more information on this course, please contact Course Administrator Philip Kelly (Department of Physiology)