Human Body and Health

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Objectives

The curricular unit (CU) introduces basic concepts on human body, as well as the methodologies that provide the knowledge on the study of the health/illness relations. The CU provides clear notions about the principles that enable the maintenance of homeostasis, integration of the functions of nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, renal, digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems in order to understand the functioning of the human body and its regulation mechanisms.
The CU will allow the development of the following skills:

1- mobilize scientific knowledge to identify, analyze and describe the physiological processes, at organic and systemic level, responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis.
2- recognize the importance of knowledge of physiological processes to develop an image of their own body that integrates hygiene and healthy life, in defense of health and quality of life.

Program

Morphophysiological study of the body

  • Functional organization
  • Homeostasis; fluid compartments

Maintenance functions

  • Biomolecules/nutrients, nutrition, and nutritional needs
  • Digestive system (chemical and mechanical function; digestion and contribution of accessory glands; absorption, intestinal transit, and defecation)
  • Cardiovascular system (blood; coagulation, blood groups, blood transfusion and maternity; pulmonary and systemic circulation, cardiac cycle)
  • Respiratory activity (mechanics of breathing, hematosis and gas transport, hemoglobin saturation and regulation of breathing)
  • Urinary system (formation of urine; urination; hidroelectrolytic balance)

Relations with exterior environment

  • Nervous system and sense organs
  • Hormonal regulation (endocrine glands and functions)
  • Locomotion (bones; muscle organization and function)

Transmission of life

  • Genetic determination of sex (meiosis and gametogenesis)
  • Organization and basic function of the reproductive system

Man and aggressions from external environment

Teaching Methodologies

The lectures will be developed with the help of models and other existing resources looking for a logical and sequential relationship of the syllabus. The student is expected to cooperate actively, asking questions to stimulate debate.

In TP will be held practical/laboratory activities, visualization and analysis of films, thematic conferences, presentation and discussion of work-related diseases and problems of modern life.

Bibliography

Carvalho, A., C. Carvalho, F. Ferrand, V. Madeira, A. Nobre & E. Pires. 1984. BiologiaFuncional. Livraria Almedina, Coimbra.

Jones, K. C. & A. J. Gaudin. 1983. Introdução à Biologia. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa, 865 pp.

Lasnier, F., G. Crouzols & M. Lechaud.  1990.  Hygiene et Biologie Humaine. Editions Jacques Lanore, Malakoff.

Vander, A. J., J. H. Sherman & D. S. Luciano. 1981. Fisiologia Humana. McGraw-Hill, Brasil.

Atlas do Corpo Humano, CD-rom.

Textos de apoio elaborados pelo Docente.

Code

0105792

ECTS Credits

6

Classes

  • Orientação Tutorial - 6 hours
  • Teóricas - 15 hours
  • Teórico-Práticas - 45 hours

Evaluation Methodology

  • Avaliação contínua: 50%
  • Avaliação individual, participação no debate e apresentação de trabalhos obrigatórios: 25%
  • Frequency: 25%