PHYS30090 Digestion and Excretion

Academic Year 2023/2024

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

10
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Renal histology based evaluation Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

5

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
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 4 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 2 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 7 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 9 Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 4 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn