General Physiology

Code:

115

Acronym:

115

Instance: 2023/2024 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Sports Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCD	272	First Degree in Sports Sciences (2011/2012)	1	-	3	30	81

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

General purposes: (1) to provide to students the fundamental knowledge of how the of major organs, systems and devices function; (2) to promote knowledge of the various factors and mechanisms underlying organic functionality; (3) to promote students' interest and motivation in relation to the knowledge of the function in a systemic perspective; (4) provide the fundamental physiological and biochemical bases for a more fluid understanding of the matters to be addressed in the discipline of Exercise Physiology.

Learning outcomes and competences

Working method

Presencial

Program

Skeletal Muscle Physiology: (1) Basic histology, (2) Molecular mechanism of muscle contraction, (3) Muscle contraction mechanics (4) Neurological control of movement.

Respiratory Physiology: (1) Pulmonary ventilation; (2) Gases diffusion across the respiratory membrane; (3) Gases transport in the blood; (4) Breathing Regulation.

Cardiovascular Physiology: (1) Major cardiovascular parameters and indicators; (2) Rhythmic excitation and heart regulation; (3) Mechanisms of cardiovascular control; (4) Major factors for venous return; (5) Tissue blood flow regulation.

Endocrinology: (1) Basic concepts; (2) General and local hormones; (3) Mechanisms of hormone action; (4) Pituitary hormones; (5) Pancreatic hormones; (6) Hormones from the adrenal cortex; (7) Thyroid hormones; (8) Sex hormones.

Mandatory literature

Guyton Arthur C.; Tratado de fisiologia médica. ISBN: 84-7242-012-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

Expository method and debate.

keywords

Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Physiology

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	51,00
Frequência das aulas	30,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Approval in the discipline by means of the final exam in the respective regular seasons (1st and 2nd), according to FADEUP standards of evaluation issued by the Pedagogical Board.

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment of the level of knowledge and skills of students is carried out in accordance with current legal provisions in the University of Porto and the Valuation Standards issued by the Pedagogical Council of the Faculty of Sport. So to be approved in the discipline of General Physiology students have two time points: 1st season (from e 3/1 a 3/2/2023) and 2nd season (between 22/5 e 23/6/2023). In the 1st season the students should perform a final exam in which they must get a score above 9.5. If they do not get a positive grade, they can perform a second exam where they also must obtain a minimum grade of 9.5. The final grade will be the score of this examination rounded to the unit.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Alternatives or complements to the final examination are not considered.

Internship work/project

Not contemplated.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

It is included in the FADEUP rules of evaluation issued by the Pedagogical Board.

Classification improvement

The improvement of the final classification in General Physiology may take place in one of the two following epochs. The students must carry out their registration before the date of the examination.

Observations

Given the aims of this curricular unit (to understand the organic functioning and its mechanisms in a systemic perspective), we consider that the wide range of topics selected as the syllabus of General Physiology (which includes muscle, respiratory, cardiovascular and endocrine physiology) clearly allows to attain these goals.

The objectives to be achieved in the discipline of General Physiology do not rely solely on memorization, but basically want the student to have a vision as dynamic as possible concerning organic functioning and its respective mechanisms in a systemic perspective. Thus, we consider that both the use of computer methods for the visualization of the different systems and organs, as well as the frequent debate in the classroom of the different teaching contents, are key tools for achieving educational success.