2. Overview of Human Physiology as a CAS

Question 1

What is the function of glycolysis?

Answer 1

Glucose –> pyruvate

Eventually produces E in form of ATP

Question 2

What is the function of citric acid cycle?

Answer 2

Pyruvate –> ATP

Requires H2O to act as electron acceptor in ETC of mitochondria

Question 3

What are the 3 main uses for E?

Answer 3

1. E generation
2. Housekeeping
3. Special cell-specific functions; stem cells least specialized

Question 4

What is required for E gen?

Answer 4

1. O2 delivery to lungs
2. CO2 removal
3. Glucose to produce ATP

Question 5

What is physiologic reserve?

Answer 5

Functional status greater than what our bodies need to survive. Typically decreases w age. Healthy pt have greater reserve/ flexibility in terms of what stresses they can handle periop.

Question 6

What is homeostasis?

Answer 6

Cells sample from their environment and respond accordingly to maintain normal state. E.g. Pt’s internal temperature remains normal despite changes in surr. environment.

Question 7

What patient conditions are we seeing increasing numbers of w increasing age of pt?

Answer 7

DM + obesity

Elderly pt typically have higher pain tolerance + decreased reserve–> consider adjusting doses

Question 8

In elective procedures, the highest % mortality is result of…

Answer 8

Cardiopulmonary problems

Question 9

How does a stressful state affect a pt’s hemodynamics?

Answer 9

It increases blood flow required; CO can be increased by ↑HR. However that capacity decreases with age.