General Physiology

Code:

115

Acronym:

115

Instance: 2011/2012 - 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	290	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.

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.
Renal physiology: (1) nephron structure; (2) glomerular filtration; (3) Acid-base balance regulation.

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

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	28,00
	Total:	-	0,00

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, renal 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.