PHYS30090 Digestion and Excretion

Academic Year 2022/2023

In this module current knowledge of the structures and functions of the human gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, and their importance to human health, will be studied. A major focus of the module will be integrative physiological mechanisms subserving gastrointestinal and renal functions.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to: - Describe the physiology of gastrointestinal motility.- Describe the physiological regulation of acid and bile secretion.- Describe digestion and absorption in the gut.- Give accounts of nutrition and starvation.- Give an account of gastrointestinal disorders.- Describe the structures and functions of the human kidneys.- Demonstrate understanding of the homeostatic roles sustained by the kidneys.- Use knowledge of the phenomena and mechanisms occurring in the kidneys to explain the performance of their homeostatic functions.- Predict the principal consequences of renal failure of various origins.

Indicative Module Content:

The module content is divided into 50% Gastrointestinal Physiology and 50% Renal Physiology.

Key topics in Gastrointestinal Physiology include:

• Histology of the GIT and its accessory organs
• Salivary glands and swallowing
• Regulation of acid secretion and stomach motility
• Liver physiology bile and jaundice
• Pancreatic secretion
• Small intestine secretions and motility
• Gastrointestinal micro flora and mucosal immunity
• Colon motility and defecation
• Digestion and absorption of key nutrients
• Biochemistry relating to:
o Whole body metabolism
o Obesity
o Metabolism of alcohol
o Vitamins and minerals

Key topics in Renal Physiology include:

• Histology of the kidney and its associated organs
• Renal function and circulation
• Ureters, urinary bladder and micturition
• Renal glomerular filtration and renal clearance
• Renal proximal tubular reabsorption and secretion
• Renal diluting segments and collecting system
• Urinary concentration
• Osmoregulation
• Extracellular fluid volume and sodium balance
• Acid-base physiology

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

7
Computer Aided Lab

2
Specified Learning Activities

10
Autonomous Student Learning

58
Total

101
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Tutorials
Enquiry and problem based learning-Histology CALs 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
PHYS20030 - Organ and Systems Physiology, PHYS20150 - Cardiorespiratory Physiology

Incompatibles:
MDSA10110 - Renal Biology Med, MDSA20010 - GIT/Liver Biology, MDSA20190 - Renal Biology, PERS10120 - Sci of Human Perf I, PHTY10070 - Essentials of Human Performanc, PHTY10120 - Sci of Human Perf I, VET10120 - Homeost & Intro to Physio Comm

Additional Information:
Students must have completed one of the listed pre-requisite modules.


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Tutorial assignment based on GIT Physiology Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Examination: Essay based examination covering aspects of GIT and Renal Physiology.
 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

70
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: GIT Histology based evaluation Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

5
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Renal histology based evaluation Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

5
Assignment: Tutorial Assignment for Renal Physiology Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

After the completion and grading of the written assessment, the marked-up assignment will be returned to individual students with comments /grade justification. General class feedback may also be given post-assessment orally or in the form of an announcement via the VLE.

Core Reading:
Pocock's Human Physiology
Wheater's Functional Histology or Junqueira's basic histology

Suggested additional reading:
Gastrointestinal Physiology (Barrett)
Vander's Renal Physiology (Eaton and Pooler)
Name Role
Dr Eoin Cummins Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Julie Freeman Tutor
Mrs Allison Kacperski Tutor