Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Structure and Function of the Integration Systems: Nervous and Endocrine
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Introduction
The subject "Structure and function of integration systems: nervous and endocrine" allows us to know how body activities are regulated by nerve impulses and hormonal secretions, contributing to the maintenance of body homeostasis. The description of the sensory and motor pathways will allow us to understand how impulses are transmitted to the marrow and the brain, and from there to the muscles and glands. We will also study the part of the nervous system that operates without voluntary control, the autonomic nervous system, to conclude with the systems of protection and regulation of the internal organs mediated by this same system. We will also know how behaviors and memories are perceived, and how voluntary movements are carried out. We will understand the general organization of the endocrine system: the structural, general and specific characteristics of the endocrine glands; the molecular structure of the different hormones and the mechanisms involved in their production, transport, metabolism, and regulation, as well as the physiological effects of the different hormones.
Pre-course requirements
Knowledge of chemistry / biochemistry and molecular biology, high school level
Objectives
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Know the structure, organization and functions of the nervous system. Know the electrical and chemical signals of neurons and how they are transmitted in the synapses.
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Identify and describe the morphology of the central and autonomic nervous system.
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Know the composition and function of the autonomic nervous system and the neuro-endocrine system.
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Know the structure, organization and functions of the endocrine system.
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Know the different hormones as well as their different functions, regulation and mechanisms of action in the different organs.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- Recognize the anatomy, physiology and histology of the organs and systems of the human body in different stages of life and in both sexes, giving special emphasis to the comprehensive understanding of aging.
- Recognize the basic biological concepts and the proper language of the biomedical sciences in the state of health.
- Recognize basic concepts of different areas related to the biomedical sciences.
- Develop the capacity of organization and planning appropriate to the moment.
- Develop the ability to solve problems.
- To be able to teamwork.
- Be able to carry out autonomous learning.
- Apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
- Use the internet as a means of communication and as a source of information
- Recognize the general and specific aspects related to the field of nutrition and aging.
- Interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- That students have demonstrated to possess and understand knowledge in an area of study that starts from the base of general secondary education, and is usually found at a level that, although supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that imply knowledge coming from the forefront of his field of study
- That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific or ethical nature
- That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to a specialized and non-specialized public
Learning outcomes of the subject
During the course the student has to acquire basic knowledge about the nervous system (central, peripheral, and autonomous), and know the macroscopic and microscopic structure of its components. It must be able to identify the circuits and mechanisms responsible for different physiological functions, as well as the integration of signals within it. The student must also acquire the necessary knowledge about the endocrine system, its structure and its different functions. You should know the different hormones, their mechanisms of production, regulation, and action at the level of the target tissues, as well as the consequences of their deregulation.
Syllabus
Topic 1. Nerve cells: neurons and glia
Topic 2. Generalities and development
Topic 3. Ion channels and electrical conductivity
Topic 4. Synapses and neurotransmission
Topic 5. Anatomy I: Telencephalon and Diencephalon
Topic 6. Anatomy II: Brainstem and Cerebellum
Topic 7. Anatomy III: Spinal cord and peripheral nervous system
Topic 8. Anatomy IV: Sense organs
Topic 9. Movement control
Topic 10. Language and Sleep
Topic 11. Limbic system, learning and memory
Topic 12. Hormones
Topic 13. Hypothalamus-pituitary system
Topic 14. The adrenal gland
Topic 15. Pancreatic hormones
Topic 16. Thyroid hormones
Topic 17. Hormones involved in calcium and phosphate metabolism
Topic 18. Gonadal axis
Topic 19. Sexual differentiation of behavior
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lecture (Master class, CM): Explanation of a theoretical topic by the instructor, during 50 minutes.
Clinical cases (CC): Approach of a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the problem in small groups and later in class the answers are discussed. The instructor actively participates and, if necessary, explain new knowledge to the students.
Practical (P):Experimental demonstration in the laboratory about concepts studied in theoretical classes. Familiarization with the most frequent experimental techniques used at a biochemistry laboratory.
Virtual Education (EV): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time and that will contribute to self-learning concepts related to the subject
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Students in first call: 25% midterm test, 5% evaluation of practices, 5% attitude and participation, 45% final test and 20% works and evaluations of case methods and participation in these classes.
- 25% - Midterm test: includes all the subject taught up to the class prior to the test. No subject is eliminated for the final test.
- 5% - Practical sessions test.
- 5% - Attitude and Participation in class. Participation, initiative and disposition towards the class and assigned tasks will be valued.
- 45% - Final test: Includes all the material seen in class and the contents recommended in the bibliography. It is essential to overcome it to pass the subject.
- 20% - Evaluation of the case methods: the students will be evaluated continuously. This type of evaluation includes resolution of case methods and questions that will be inclided in the partial and final tests. Participation and attendance will be positevely evaluated.
To pass the subject you must obtain a minimum of 5 in the final exam.
Students in second call: will do an exam in July that will count 70% of the final grade and that will average with the grade of laboratory sessions (5%), attitude grade (5%), and grade of the case methods (20%), all obtained in the first call. Midterm test will not be taken into account (unless the student requests it).
Students with two or more than two deadlines: they will do the final exam of each call that will count 70% of the final grade and that will averaged with the laboratory sesions grade (5%), attitude grade (5%), and grade of the case methods (20%), all obtained in the first call. Whenever they wish, students can repeat the attendance to the laboratory practices, case methods and midterm test to obtain a new grade; in this case, the student must comunicate it to the coordinator in advance.
Bibliography and resources
- Principles of Neural Science. Kandel, Schwartz, Jessell, Siegelbaum y Hudspeth. Editorial
- Neuroscience: exploring the brain. Bear, Mark F. Wolters Kluwer, cop. 2016
- Neurociencia. Dale Purves. ISBN: 978-8498357547. Editorial Panamericana, 2016 (5ª Edición).
- Williams Tratado de Endocrinología. Wilson, Foster, Kronenberg, Larsen. ISBN: 978-8491131014. Editorial Elsevier, 2017 (13ª ed.)
- Tratado de Fisiología médica. Guyton y Hall. ISBN: 9781455770052. Editorial Elsevier, 2016 (13ª ed.)
- Berne y Levy Fisiología. Koeppen y Staton. ISBN: 978-8491132585. Editorial Elsevier, 2018 (7ª ed.)
- Sobotta Histología. Welsch. ISBN: 978-6077743910. Editorial Panamericana 2014 (3ª ed.)
Evaluation period
- E1 08/01/2024 A16 14:00h
- R1 22/01/2024 A16 14:00h