Ribonucleic Acid or RNA

Preface

Welcome to Audiolearn’s United States Medical Licensing Examination Part 1 Course, Presented by AudioLearn.

The United States Medical Licensing Association (USMLE) is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards and administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners. According to them the USMLE assesses the physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts and principles and to demonstrate fundamental patient centered skills that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care.

The goal of this course is to offer a broad base of knowledge regarding the modern practice of medicine, focusing on the diseases encountered most commonly by the primary care health care practitioner. Diseases can be inherited or congenital, in which they are present from birth or acquired disorders discovered in adults or older children after some type of external or internal trigger.

The first chapter this course is intended to be a thorough discussion of basic biochemistry principles. This will include a discussion of the major proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids (including their precursor molecules). The main biochemical reactions occurring in the cell and in the human body will also be discussed as part of this chapter.

The second chapter delves into the anatomy of the human body. Anatomy, strictly speaking, involves the major structures of the body, from the brain through the head and neck, into the thorax and abdomen including the pelvic structures. The anatomy of the extremities is also covered as part of this course.

Chapter three in the course examines physiology of the human body. Unlike the structural aspects of the human body in anatomy, physiology covers the function of the body. Human physiology can be approach on a molecular, microscopic, or macroscopic level. Each of the body parts involved in physiology operate partially independent of each other body, but mostly work together as an interconnected physiological system.

The fourth chapter will cover the topic of embryology. This will begin with a discussion of the male and female reproductive aspects of embryology and the process fertilization or the union of egg and sperm. The early days and weeks of embryological development are covered in this chapter as well as the later development of the fetus. Disorders related to embryological development will also be discussed.

The fifth chapter of this course will be a thorough discussion of microbiology, in particular, medical microbiology. Diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoal organisms will be a major part of the discussion in this chapter. The unique microbiology of these organisms will be covered including the most communicable diseases and their pathogens.

The sixth chapter of this course will cover immunology. Medical immunology includes the innate and acquired immune system. Both aspects of the immune system have humoral and cell-mediated

components, which will also be covered. The basic disorders of the immune functions are also discussed in this chapter.

The seventh chapter of this course is a thorough discussion of pharmacology. There are hundreds of different drugs used in humans that are effective against numerous disorders. The pharmaceutical interventions that will be covered are based on the major classifications of the different drugs and will include a discussion of the various mechanisms of actions.

The eighth chapter in this course will mainly include the topic of toxicology, including toxicology screening and the various toxic substances a person can come in contact with. Toxicology testing includes testing for substances of abuse, which will also be covered as part of this chapter.

The ninth chapter of the course is a thorough discussion of endocrinology. Diseases of the endocrine system can affect children, such as type 1 diabetes. Other disorders of the endocrine system affect mainly adults. The various endocrine diseases covered include diabetes, thyroid disorders, pituitary gland disorders, hypothalamic disorders, and dieseases of the adrenal glands.

The tenth chapter of the course will cover musculoskeletal diseases. This includes disorders of the bones, the spinal column, the muscles, and the joints. Both inherited and acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system will be covered, including different treatments for musculoskeletal disorders.

The eleventh chapter of the course is intended to be a discussion of neurology. Neurological diseases start with diseases of the neurons, which are the main cells of the nervous system. Normal neurological function will be covered, including the sensory nervous system and the motor nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is covered along with the various diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous system.

The twelfth chapter of the course is a comprehensive discussion of psychiatric disorders. The major focus of the chapter is on disorders affecting adults; however, some of the course discussion will be on psychiatric diseases stemming from childhood experiences. Most psychiatric diseases have a psychological origin but some are organic in nature.

The thirteenth chapter of the course will be a thorough discussion of the reproductive system. Both the structure and function of male and female reproductive anatomy and physiology will be covered. The many diseases of the female reproductive tract and male reproductive tract are also discussed in this chapter.

The focus of the fourteenth chapter will be the topic of dermatology and the disorders of the skin. There are numerous skin disorders that can be inherited, acquired, or congenital. Each type of skin disorder has a characteristic clinical finding, specific pathological findings on biopsy, and treatments designed either to cure the disorder or to decrease the symptoms of the disease. Each of these components will be covered as part of this chapter.