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Background reading material for a year 1 Semester 1 medical student PPSD session on 30th August 2006 by Professor Omar Hasan Kasule, Sr.
1.0 CONTROL SYSTEMS IN ANATOMY
There is centralized master control of physiological functions mediated by the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, and the CNS. This control has a genetic basis in the form of DNA. DNA has 6x10e9 bits of information called codons. These represent 10E7 genes. Each gene codes for one protein molecule. Command and control in physiology relate very well to the concept of tauhid. For efficiency there must be a controlling center otherwise contradictions from many un-coordinated centers of control will lead to failure. An orderly and harmonious universe cannot have more than one master. Examples of control are the integrity of DNA despite continuous mitosis, normal cell growth, control of embryological development
2.0 CONTROL SYSTEMS IN PHYSIOLOGY and BIOCHEMISTRY
Examples of control are control of balance (fluids, electrolytes, iron, acid-base, heat energy, and temperature). There is balance between entropy (disorder) and order, between coagulation and fibrinolysis, between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, between left and right brain hemispheres, between anabolism and catabolism. Chemical reactions tend to an equilibrium as defined in the Hasselbach-Henderson law. Phenomena of control manifest as control of the heart beat, control of vomiting, control of swallowing, control of coughing, control of gagging, control of posture, control of micturition, control of defecation, control of lactation, control of parturition, control of cell membrane permeability, control of genetic expression, and control of hormonal receptors. Phenomena of periodicity manifest as cycling of matter between organic and inorganic and the circadian rhythm. Constancy and predictability are the basis for diagnostic tests and drug action.
3.0 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM COMMAND SYSTEMS
4.0 ENDOCRINE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
5.0 THE HUMAN MIND AND BIOLOGICAL COORDINATION
ETHICO-LEGAL SKILLS – Discuss the biological miracle of perfection & optimality: 1. Illustrate the perfection, optimality, and incomparability of human creation; 2. Explain the functional unity of the human organism based on control, communication, and command mechanisms of the nervous, endocrine, and immunological systems; 3. analyze the nature and importance of the human mind as a coordination center for the organism