Course code Biol5010

Credit points 4.50

Regulation of Physiological Functions in Human Organism

Total Hours in Course120

Number of hours for lectures36

Number of hours for laboratory classes12

Independent study hours72

Date of course confirmation12.11.2011

Responsible UnitInstitute of Food

Replaced course

BiolM002 [GBIOM002] Regulation of Physiological Functions in Human Organism

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to provide students with scientific conception about processes of physiological control and their diversity and unity in the human organism.
Tasks of the course:
1) explain the basic principles of physiological function control for conscious, programmed reflex regulation;
2) define the basic tasks of physiological function control-maintenance of homeostasis, adaption, growth, development and reproduction;
3) develop conceptions about the unity of neuro-immune-hormonal control mechanisms of human functions’ regulation;

4) illustrate the mechanisms of food intake regulation, digestion and utilization of nutrients.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge:
1) knowledge of the human neuro-hormonal structure and functional anatomy of the digestive system;
2) understanding of the diverse control mechanisms of physiological functions, with emphasis on the digestive function and metabolic homeostasis;
3) knowledge of basic immune physiological processes in the human organism.
Skills:
4) students will be able to choose and use simple anthropometric measuring devices to determine a human physical status;
5) students will be able to determine the somatotype using anthropometric measurements;
6) students will be able to determine the human metabolic intensity with both calculation and nomogram methods, and using the indirect calorimetry method.
Competencies:
7) students will integrate knowledge of the diverse mechanisms of physiological function control to characterize processes of food intake and digestive function in the human organism;
8) students will be able to explain and integrate the results of anthropometric and metabolic measurements to evaluate the risk of cardio-metabolic diseases;

9) students will be able to analyse and explain the results of anthropometric measurements in accordance with the standards used in Latvia/Europe and the world.

Course Content(Calendar)

Lectures
1. Organism physiological functions and their regulation. L2
2. Neuronal control of physiological functions. L4
3. Gastrointestinal functions and their control. L6
4. Hormonal control of physiological functions. L8
5. Human energy metabolism. L2 Lw8
6. Body energy stores and hormonal control of their metabolism. L4 Lw4
7. Control of feeding behaviour. L4
8. Physiology of stress. L2
9. Immunophysiological functions. L4
Laboratory works
1 laboratory work. Human energy metabolism evaluation.
2 laboratory work. Human energy metabolism evaluation.

3 laboratory work. Feeding behaviour evaluation.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Laboratory works – obligatory. Intermediate assessment:
1) participation in all laboratory works and written protocols of laboratory works – 30%;
2) one online test in e-studies environment – 20%;

3) exam (written examination) – 50%.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Students’ independent work is organized individually and /or in small groups. Student’s independent work tasks are:
1) to acquire study and scientific literature related to the topics of the study course;
2) to create protocols of the three laboratory work with extended analysis of the obtained results, discussion and conclusions;

3) to complete one online test in the e-learning environment (outside classes time).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Intermediate assessment:
1) participation in all laboratory works and written protocols of laboratory works – 30%;
2) one online test in e-studies environment – 20%;

3) exam (written examination) – 50%.

Compulsory reading

1. Aivars, J.I., Ozoliņa, Moll, L. (2007) Fizioloģisko funkciju regulācija cilvēka organismā. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds.
2. Aivars, J.O. (2002) Fizioloģijas terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca: veģetatīvās funkcijas; hormonālā regulācija; imūnfizioloģija. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds.

3. Aberberga-Augškalne, L., Koroļova, O. (2014) Fizioloģija ārstam. Medicīniskais apgāds.

Further reading

1. Guyton, A.C., Hall, J.E. (2016) Textbook of Medical Physiology. 13th edit. W.B.Saunders Company.
2. Floch, M. (2019) Netter’s Gastroenterology. 3rd edit. Elsevier.
3. Gerald, L. (2018) Human Biochemistry. Elsevier Academic Press.
4. Larsen, P.R., Kronenberg, H.M., Melmed, S., Polonsky, K.S. (2002) Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 10th edit. W.B.Saunders Company.

5. Zariņš, Z., Neimane, L.V., Bodnieks, E. (2015) Uztura mācība. 6. izdev. LU Akadēmiskais apgāds.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Physiology
2. Journal of Applied Physiology
3. British Journal of Nutrition
4. American Journal of Nutrition
5. www.ploome.com

6. www.healthline.com/nutrition