Cardio Respiratory Performance (Human Biology III)

Cardiorespiratory Performance is a 100hr course that is ideal for students with a biological science background, and is also an excellent addition to a Certificate or higher level course in health and biology fields.

Students will cover a variety of related topics in order to learn how the cardiovascular and respiratory systems function cooperatively to keep the body alive.  Monitoring and regulatory mechanisms governing cardiorespiratory functions are investigated, along with the physical laws and biochemical processes that explain how and why the cardiorespiratory system works in the way it does.  From gas exchange, cellular energy production, cardiomyocyte contraction, alveolar structure and function, gas laws, blood physiology and cellular oxygen demand, students will develop a sound understanding of breathing and blood flow.


COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 7 lessons as follows:

1. The Science of Blood
2. Blood Pressure
3. Pulmonary Ventilation
4. Gas Exchange & Transport
5. Blood Flow & Gas Transport
6. Cardio Respiratory Control
7. Cardio Respiratory Disease

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Students can expect to:

Apply physical formulas to explain movement of gases in the body

Understand the cellular need for oxygen

Investigate removal of carbon dioxide from the body

Learn the importance of carbon dioxide in blood chemistry

Understand how cells produce energy aerobically and anaerobically, and how the body cardiorespiratory system deals with the waste products of these processes

Develop their understanding of homeostasis and equilibrium, diffusion and osmosis and the importance of each to gas exhange

Test concepts practically using common household items

Analyse data from basic experiments to develop their knowledge of lesson topics

Examine the role of fitness and exercise in cardiorespiratory health and function

Interpret electrocardiograms

Discover the impact of different conditions, illnesses and disease processes on cardiorespiratory performance

Investigate the biological processes that drive breathing, gas exchange and blood flow in the human body.  This course builds on the student's existing general biology knowledge, exploring anatomical, physiological and biochemical processes that drive cardiovascular and respiratory function.

Prerequisite: Human Anatomy & Physiology BSC101 or equivalent.