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Physiology II

Course developers

Prior knowledge

VeteB004, Anatomy of the Domestic Animals III

VeteB008, Cell biology, Histology II

VeteB009, Physiology I

Course abstract

Physiology is a fundamental biological science that explores the physiological foundations of life processes in organisms, including the functions of cells, individual organs, and organ systems, as well as their interrelationships and regulatory mechanisms.
A solid understanding of physiology is essential for comprehending the body's complex physiological processes and their regulatory mechanisms. It also helps in understanding the causal relationships behind various functional changes that occur in response to external and internal environmental factors.
In the second part of the course, students study the physiology of the blood and circulatory system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the urinary system, and the reproductive system.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge – understanding the composition and functions of blood, as well as the physiology of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems in various domesticated animals. Assessment – 4 colloquia.
Skills – ability to comprehend the physiological processes related to blood circulation, respiration, digestion and metabolism, excretory organs, reproductive organs, and the body as a whole, including their interactions and outcomes. Assessment – completion of practical work and defense of protocols.
Competence – ability to apply acquired knowledge to determine physiological indicators and assess their fluctuations within normal physiological limits in animals of various species. Additionally, the ability to apply this knowledge in further studies of clinical subjects. Assessment – defense of protocols and CECA, colloquia.

Course Content(Calendar)

In full-time studies.

The study course is implemented in 28 lectures and 36 practical works. For each topic, 2 additional hours are allocated for summarizing the topic, which can be carried out in settings such as the farm animal stationary, laboratories, etc., depending on the specific topic.
Topics of the study course and the hours planned for them:
1. Physiology of the blood and circulatory system. 6 hours of lectures and 6 hours of practical work.
Topic summary (2 hours in practical work).
1st colloquium – Physiology of blood and circulatory system.
2. Physiology of the respiratory system. 4 hours of lectures and 6 hours of practical work.
Topic summary (2 hours in practical work).
2nd colloquium – physiology of respiratory system (during practical work).
3. Physiology of the gastrointestinal system. 8 hours of lectures and 8 hours of practical work.
Topic summary (2 hours in practical work).
3rd colloquium 3 – physiology of the gastrointestinal system (during practical work).
4. Excretory processes and physiology of the reproductive organs. 6 hours of lectures and 8 hours of practical work.
Topic summary (2 hours in practical work).
4th colloquium – excretory processes and physiology of reproduction (during practical work).
5. Defense of CECA (4 hours, during lectures).

Requirements for awarding credit points

The Physiology II study course concludes with an exam, which must be successfully passed (according to the 10-point system) to confirm the acquisition of credit points.
Conditions for passing the Physiology II exam:
1. The Physiology I exam must be successfully passed.
2. All practical work specified in the Physiology II plan must be completed.
3. The practical work protocols must be defended.
4. A positive assessment must be obtained in the colloquia of the Physiology II study course.
5. A positive assessment must be obtained for the independent tasks of the Physiology II study course.
6. According to the calendar plan, the Clinical and Epidemiological Case Analysis (CECA) must be submitted and defended, receiving a successful assessment.
To continue studies successfully, if any of the requirements are not met or the Physiology II exam is not passed, the student can retake the exam until the 2 week of the following semester (including), by individually arranging a time with the teaching staff. If this is not completed within the given time, the Physiology II study course must be repeated.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

In the 71 hours allocated for independent work, students are expected to gradually prepare independently for tests and complete CECA tasks, learning the physiology of the relevant organ systems for each topic and submitting the corresponding CECA chapters.
CECA must be developed, presented, and defended according to the guidelines approved by VMF and the specific instructions of the responsible teaching staff. The completed CECA must be submitted and successfully defended at a strictly defined time before the exam, as this assessment contributes to the overall Physiology II exam grade.
If the requirements are not met, CECA can be defended by arranging a defence with the teaching staff, who will set the time, place, and other conditions (e.g., audience presence).
During the semester, students will receive a series of tasks to complete independently as part of practical work. To receive a "passed" rating, these tasks must be submitted to the lecturer for evaluation and briefly presented during the practical sessions.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

All grading is done using the commonly accepted 10-point grading system or pass/fail grading.
During the semester, at the end of each topic, students' knowledge is assessed based on the results of colloquia written as part of the practical work. If a student misses more than 50% of the lectures related to a specific topic, they must demonstrate their mastery of the topic to the lecturer (the teaching staff responsible for that topic) before taking the colloquium. The method of assessment (test, independent work, report, or other) is determined by the lecturer. Only after successfully completing this requirement may the student take the colloquium for that topic.
If a student fails a colloquium three times, they must take it orally with two physiology teachers on the fourth attempt. If the colloquium is not passed on the fourth attempt, the student must take it a fifth time with a commission of three teachers. Failure to pass the colloquium on the fifth attempt results in the requirement to repeat the Physiology II study course.
Students' skills are evaluated based on the established procedure for performing and assessing tasks assigned during practical work. Students' competence is evaluated individually through the assessment of independent work provided in the study program.
Upon completion of the Physiology II study course, students must:
1. Defend CECA, demonstrating their knowledge, skills, and competence. The CECA evaluation must be successful according to the 10-point system. The CECA score is taken into account in the final grade of the Physiology II exam, either increasing or decreasing the exam grade by one point.
2. Defend the work protocols developed during practical work, comprehensively demonstrating their knowledge, skills, and competence.
3. Take the final exam, receiving a grade based on the 10-point system.

Compulsory reading

1.Valtneris A. Cilvēka fizioloģija. Rokasgrāmata. 2. izd. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2009. 252 lpp.
2. Aberberga-Augskalne L., Koroļova O. Fizioloģija ārstiem. Rīga: SIA „Medicīnas apgāds”, 2007. 516 lpp.
3. Reece W.O. Duke’s Physiology of Domestic Animals. USA: Wiley Blackwol, 2015. 760 p.
4. Garančs A. Cilvēka un dzīvnieku fizioloģija jautājumos un atbildēs. Rīga, 2006. 340 lpp.
5. Sjaastad O.V., Sand O., Hove K. Physiology of Domestic Animals 2ed., Scandinavian Veterinary Press, 2010. 804 p.
6. Sherwood L., Klandorf H., Yancey P.H. Animal Physiology From Genes to Organisms, 2nd edition, Cengage Learning, 2013. 896 p.
7. Klein B.G. Cunningham’s Textbook of veterinary physiology USA, Elsevier Inc., 2020. 645 p.

Further reading

1. Melfi V., Hosey G., Pankhurst S. Zoo Animals: Behaviour, Management and Welfare. Oxford University Press. 2009. 661 p.
2. Lejniece S. Klīniskā hematoloģija. Rīga: Nacionālais apgāds, 2005. 324 lpp.
3. Danilāns A. Gastroenteroloģija. Rīga: Nacionālais apgāds, 2005. 126 lpp.
4. Betts J.G., Desaix P., Johnson E., Johnson J.E., Korol O., Kruse D., Poe B., Wise J.A., Womble M., Young K.A., Anatomy & Physiology, OpenStax, USA, 2017.
5. Khurana I., Khurana A., Kowlgi N.G. Textbook of Medical Physiology, 3rd Ed., Elsevier Health Sciences, 2019. 1084 pp.
6. Costanzo L.S. Physiology, 6th edition, Elsevier Inc., 2018. 491 p.
6. Akers R.M., Denbow M.D. Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals 2nd edition, Wiley Blakcwell, 2013. 671 p

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Veterinary Physiology
2. Open Access Animal Physiology
3. The Veterinary Journal
4. https://www.askjpc.org/vspo/
5. http://www.fmv.ulisboa.pt/atlas/atlas_ing.htm
6. https://teachmephysiology.com/
7. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-ap2/
8.https://www.coursehero.com/study-guides/boundless-ap/

Notes

Mandatory course in the second cycle (2nd level) professional study program Veterinary Medicine