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Unit Summary
Unit type
UG Coursework Unit
Credit points
12
AQF level
Level of learning
Advanced
Former School/College
Unit aim
In Nutrition Physiology the focus is on the dynamic interplay between nutrient availability, and requirement in health, at different life-stages and when health is compromised and the multiple systems that control absorption, assimilation and excretion. This unit builds on the knowledge gained in human physiology and nutrition, particularly nutritional biochemistry.
Unit content
Topic 1: Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics: diet, genetic inheritance, epigenetic and trans-generational effects, genetic variations and evidence for the role of supplementation, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, research tools and ethics. Related drug-nutrient interactions.
Topic 2: Research-based understanding of energy balance, appetite control, over and under-nutrition and the system-wide contribution of adipocytes.
Topic 3: The effects of diet on the physiology of the upper GIT (oral cavity, oesophagus and stomach). Integration of upper GIT function and the physiology that promotes and maintains nutrient intake. The nutritional and physiological consequences of pathology in these organs. Related drug-nutrient interactions.
Topic 4: Secretions of the gall bladder and exocrine pancreas: control, effect and compromise
Topic 5: Impact of dietary and lifestyle choices on liver function with particular reference to non-alcohol related fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic hepatitis and bowel microbiota. Related drug-nutrient interactions.
Topic 6: The nutrition physiology of the lower GIT (ilium and colon), evidence relating to a functional role for microbiota and the impact on health and nutrient availability secondary to specific pathologies. Related drug-nutrient interactions.
Topic 7: The role of the kidneys, respiratory and endocrine systems in fluid balance, acid-base and electrolyte balance. An introduction to kidney disease and the effect of diet and lifestyle on morbidity and mortality. Related drug-nutrient interactions.
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | GA1 | GA2 | GA3 | GA4 | GA5 | GA6 | GA7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | summarise the role of genetic changes, single nucleotide polymorphisms and epigenetics on inheritance and comment on lifestyle, environmental and nutritional factors impacting inheritance | |||||||
| 2 | critique the evidence for the role of adipocytes and evaluate the effect of appetite regulators | |||||||
| 3 | synthesize knowledge of the multiple factors engaged in the regulation of the gastrointestinal tract, summarising the physiological compromise caused by common upper GIT pathologies and related drug-nutrient interactions | |||||||
| 4 | summarise the metabolic functions of the liver and relation nutrition, GIT health and life-style choices to the progression of non-alcohol related fatty liver disease | |||||||
| 5 | evaluate the evidence for the role of gastrointestinal microbiota in health and disease, and a number of common conditions of the lower bowel | |||||||
| 6 | summarise the role of the endocrine, respiratory, hepatic and renal systems in electrolyte, acid-base and fluid balance and relate these to chronic renal disease | |||||||
| 7 | develop an independent learning approach to the use of information technology and knowledge communication | |||||||
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
-
summarise the role of genetic changes, single nucleotide polymorphisms and epigenetics on inheritance and comment on lifestyle, environmental and nutritional factors impacting inheritance
- GA1:
- GA4:
- GA7:
-
critique the evidence for the role of adipocytes and evaluate the effect of appetite regulators
- GA1:
- GA4:
- GA7:
-
synthesize knowledge of the multiple factors engaged in the regulation of the gastrointestinal tract, summarising the physiological compromise caused by common upper GIT pathologies and related drug-nutrient interactions
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
summarise the metabolic functions of the liver and relation nutrition, GIT health and life-style choices to the progression of non-alcohol related fatty liver disease
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
evaluate the evidence for the role of gastrointestinal microbiota in health and disease, and a number of common conditions of the lower bowel
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
summarise the role of the endocrine, respiratory, hepatic and renal systems in electrolyte, acid-base and fluid balance and relate these to chronic renal disease
- GA1:
- GA4:
- GA7:
-
develop an independent learning approach to the use of information technology and knowledge communication
- GA1:
- GA4:
- GA7:
Prescribed texts
- This is the latest edition of the text. It is also available as an ebook: Nelms, M & Sucher, KP, 2015, Nutrition Therapy and Pathophysiology, 3rd edn, Cengage, Belmont, CA. ISBN: 9781305111967.
- This is the old edition, but will still be OK this year. It is available in the Library: 615.854 NUTR: Nelms, M, Sucher, KP, Lacey, K & Roth, SL, 2011, Nutrition Therapy and Pathophysiology, 2nd edn, Wadsworth: Cengage Learning, Belmont, CA. ISBN: 9781439049624.