Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Endocrine and Neuro-physiology
Code LIFE204
Coordinator Dr LP Haynes
Cellular and Molecular Physiology
Leeh@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE106 None 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 26

         4

3

 33
Timetable (if known) This refers to timetabled lectures
  		        Workshops will provide opportunities for students to raise specific or more general issues to cover any areas of ambiguity
This refers to scheduled times for summative assessments
  		 
Private Study 117
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Written Exam  2 hours  Semester 2  60  Yes    Assessment 1 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1 hour  Semester 2  20  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 
Coursework  1000 words  Semester 2  20  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 3 Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 204 will be Short answer questions and objective assessments (eg MCQs, EMIs) Assessment 204.1will be objective assessments (e.g. multiple choice and extended matching questions)Assessment 204.2 will be an extended written exercise Full compensation will aplly between all assessment components  

Aims

  • Explain the essential background knowledge to understand basic neuroscience;

  • Describe the basic principles of operation of nervous system, systematic and sensory neurophysiology, excitotoxicity and behaviour;

  • Provide an understanding of physiological homeostatic regulatory mechanisms, with particular regard to the endocrine and digestive s ystems;

  • Develop knowledge and understanding in physiology, and ability to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve physiological problems.
    		•

    Learning Outcomes

    Describe the basic principles of the nervous system, systematic and sensory neurophysiology, excitotoxicity and behaviour; and the characteristics of nerve cells that allow them facilitate the reception, processing and transmission of information;

    Apply the above knowledge to the operation of some of these systems, through all the stages from transduction of a stimulus to conscious perception, the regulatory mechanisms employed by them, their importance in maintaining homeostasis and the consequences of malfunction;

    Demonstrate specific knowledge and critical understanding of physiological functions of the digestive tract and major endocrine glands and apply this to understand the interaction between the digestive, endocrine and nervous system;

    Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of physiology, and how this knowledge has been applied to solve physiological problems.

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture -

    This refers to timetabled lectures

    Workshop -

    Workshops will provide opportunities for students to raise specific or more general issues to cover any areas of ambiguity

    Assessment -

    This refers to scheduled times for summative assessments

    Syllabus
    1 

    Neuroscience


    Ionic basis of the resting membrane potential in neurons; the equilibrium potential; passive and active transport of ions across neuronal membrane; ionic basis of the action potential in neurons; mechanisms of generation and propagation
     
    Communication between cells of the nervous system; Synaptic release at the neuromuscular junction; General organisation and growth and development of the  human nervous system

    Receptors and Receptive fields; Somatopy and processing.
     
    Apoptosis; Muscle sensors; Spinal reflexes; Nocioception, 
    Hearing, Vision, Gustation, and Olfaction; Excitotoxicity
     
    The Digestive Tract
     
    Neuronal and endocrine control and regulation. Control of motility in th e digestive tract.
    Cellular mechanisms and control of acid secretion. Mucosal defence mechanisms in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
     
    The Epithelium of the intestine: Overall water and electrolyte movements in the gut. Mechanisms of intestinal absorption and secretion. Mechanisms of diarrhoea.
     
    Organization of the exocrine pancreas. Cellular mechanisms of pancreatic enzyme and electrolyte secretion. Hormonal control mechanisms.
    Hepatic-biliary secretion. Bile salts. Control of gall bladder contraction. Enterohepatic circulation of bile salt.
     
    < span style="font-family:''verdana'', ''sans-serif'';color:black">Hormones
    Endocrine pancreas & metabolism I. Islet hormones and organisation. Control of the B-cell. Action of insulin. Type 1 diabetes.
    General endocrinology. Organisation of the endocrine system. Hormone types; chemistry, synthesis, delivery.
    Signal transduction. Feedback mechanisms, levels of control.
     
    Endocrine pancreas & metabolism II. Actions of glucagon. Leptin and control of food intake and metabolism; type II diabetes.
     
    Pituitary and Hypothalamus I. Neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary): Oxytocin & vasopressin (ADH). Adenohypop hysis (anterior pituitary): Hypothalamic control of anterior pituitary. Trophic hormones. Endocrine control of growth, cell growth, oncogenesis.
     
    Steroid Hormones. Chemistry, synthesis, actions and control of secretion. Mechanism of action. Control of gene expression.  The steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. Steroid hormone receptors as transcription factors. Response elements in target genes. Specificity of action. Disorders.
     
    Thyroid Hormones. Chemistry, synthesis, functions and control of secretion. Molecular mechanisms of action. Disorders of function.
    Endocrine control of calcium levels. The integrative actions of PTH, calcitonin and vitamin D3.
     
    Reproductive Endocrinology
    I. Spermatogenesis. Control of the menstrual cycle.
    II. Endocrinology of pregnancy, parturition and lactation.

    Recommended Texts
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List: