Guide in PDF format
Logo

Systems Physiology I

Code: 107959
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Biomedical Sciences FB 2

Contact lecturer

Name :
Vicente Martinez Perea
Email :
vicente.martinez@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is desirable that the student has acquired basic knowledge and competences on the structure and organization of the human body and its cellular systems.

It is important that the student has acquired the basic knowledge and competences of the course Histology and General Physiology.

To be able to attend the sessions of laboratory practices, the student must justify having passed the biosafety and security tests that will be found in the Virtual Campus and be knowledgeable and accept the operating regulations of the laboratories of the Faculty of Biosciences.

Objectives

The subject Physiology of Systems is programmed during the second course of the Degree in Biomedical Sciences and develops the knowledge of the normal functioning of the following systems of the human organism: Homeostasis, endocrine system and reproductive system, excretory system and body fluids.


The acquisition of the basic competences of the subject will allow the student to confront with a sufficient base the study of the physiopathology and the understanding of the mechanisms of diseases that affect the diverse systems of the human organism during the following courses. Similarly, it contributes to the understanding of pharmacology.


The general training objectives of the subject are:


Learn the basic concepts of Physiology of the different functional systems of the human body in a state of health.

Acquire a complete and integrated vision of the interrelations of the different systems of the organism.

Integrate the knowledge of Physiology with those acquired in other basic subjects, which deal with the structure and the cellular and molecular aspects of the organism, in order to achieve a global vision of the functioning of the human body.

To train the student to apply the physiological knowledge in the deduction of the consequences of the pathological alterations of the human organism.

Acquire the practical skills necessary to carry out techniques of frequent functional studies in the biomedical field

Learning outcomes

  • CM22 (Prepare scientific texts and basic review papers on the physiology of the different systems of the human body.) Prepare scientific texts and basic review papers on the physiology of the different systems of the human body.
  • CM23 (Analyse sex/gender differences in the field of physiology.) Analyse sex/gender differences in the field of physiology.
  • KM27 (Describe the basic mechanisms of cellular and tissue physiology.) Describe the basic mechanisms of cellular and tissue physiology.
  • KM28 (Describe the main experimental techniques in physiology and their utility in basic and applied research.) Describe the main experimental techniques in physiology and their utility in basic and applied research.
  • KM29 (Detail physiological terminology and its main concepts.) Detail physiological terminology and its main concepts.
  • SM23 (Apply appropriate and functional methodologies when conducting research projects in the field of Physiology.) Apply appropriate and functional methodologies when conducting research projects in the field of Physiology.
  • SM24 (Identify the functional alterations at the level of each system of the human body that cause various types of disease.) Identify the functional alterations at the level of each system of the human body that cause various types of disease.
  • SM25 (Analyse the functional mechanisms that enable the organism to adapt to the main variations in the environment.) Analyse the functional mechanisms that enable the organism to adapt to the main variations in the environment.

Contents

THEORETICAL PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

Concept of Physiology

  1. General functions of the human organism.
  2. Homeostasis.
  3. Concept of health and disease.


ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION TO ENDOCRINOLOGY

  1. Origin of the endocrine system. Endocrine, neuroendocrine, paracrine, and autocrine signaling.
  2. Mechanisms of hormone action: intracellular receptors. Membrane receptors.
  3. Endocrine glands of vertebrates.

CHRONOBIOLOGY

  1. Basic concepts of chronobiology.
  2. Circadian rhythms. Suprachiasmatic nucleus. Clock genes.
  3. Seasonal rhythms and melatonin. Pineal gland.

PITUITARY GLAND. Pars intermedia

  1. Regulation of pigmentation. Chromatophores, melanocytes, and melanophores.
  2. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH).

PITUITARY GLAND. Pars distalis. HYPOTHALAMIC–PITUITARY–SOMATOTROPIC (HPS) AXIS (GHRH/Somatostatin–GH–IGF-I)

  1. Growth hormone (GH). Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) as both a systemic hormone and a local growth factor.
  2. GH–IGF-I regulation of endochondral ossification and bone density.
  3. Other functions of GH.
  4. Regulatory factors of the GHRH/Somatostatin–GH–IGF-I axis.

PITUITARY GLAND. Pars distalis. HYPOTHALAMIC–PITUITARY–THYROID (HPT) AXIS (TRH–TSH–T4, T3)

  1. Evolution of the thyroid gland. Follicular organization.
  2. Main thyroid hormones: T4 and T3. Importance of peripheral conversion in target tissues.
  3. Thyroid hormones and postnatal growth. Functions in the epiphyseal growth plate and bone density, and interactions with the GH–IGF-I axis.
  4. Other functions of thyroid hormones.
  5. Regulatory factors of the TRH–TSH–T4, T3 axis.

HORMONES REGULATING CALCIUM METABOLISM

  1. Calcium and phosphate metabolism.
  2. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTHrP, vitamin D, calcitonin, and FGF-23 as the major hormones involved. Importance of terrestrial versus aquatic environments.

PITUITARY GLAND. Pars nervosa

  1. Oxytocin and vasopressin: regulation of reproduction and body fluids.
  2. Regulation of vasopressin by osmolality, blood volume, and blood pressure. Importance of the circumventricular organs. Integration with thirst and salt intake. Interactions with angiotensin II and the sympathetic nervous system.
  3. Regulation of oxytocin. Functions in parturition, lactation, and maternal behavior. Pair bonding, oxytocin, vasopressin, and dopamine.

PITUITARY GLAND. Pars distalis. HYPOTHALAMIC–PITUITARY–ADRENAL (HPA) AXIS (CRH–ACTH–Glucocorticoids). SYMPATHO–ADRENOMEDULLARY AXIS

  1. Evolution of the adrenal gland. Two divisions: cortex (steroidogenic tissue) and medulla (chromaffin tissue).
  2. Hormones of the adrenal cortex. Steroidogenesis. Evolution of steroid receptors.
  3. Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone, etc.). Functions.
  4. Glucocorticoids (cortisol, corticosterone, etc.). Metabolic functions, roles in reproduction, and postnatal growth. Functions in the epiphyseal growth plate and bone density, and interactions with the GH–IGF-I axis and thyroid hormones. Regulation of the immune system.
  5. Androgens.
  6. Stress, anxiety, and depression. An example of the importance of epigenetics.
  7. Adrenal medulla. Catecholamines. Regulation.

ENDOCRINE PANCREAS

  1. Evolution of the endocrine pancreas.
  2. Insulin and glucagon as the principal hormones. Regulation.
  3. Incretins, glucagon-like peptide (GLP).
  4. Diabetes.


REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

PITUITARY GLAND. Pars distalis. HYPOTHALAMIC–PITUITARY–GONADAL (HPG) AXIS (GnRH–LH, FSH–androgens/estrogens)

  1. Biology of sex: chromosomal sex, gonadal sex, and phenotypic sex. GnRH, LH, and FSH.
  2. Endocrine regulation of sexual differentiation of the internal and external genitalia. Steroidogenesis. Testicular descent.
  3. Sexual differentiation of the central nervous system: endocrine mechanisms involved.
  4. Testicular function. Regulation of androgens. Sexual potency and motivation, and other functions of sex steroids.
  5. Ovarian function. Regulation of the reproductive cycle. Importance of GnRH pulse frequency. Ovulation versus the remainder of the cycle: hypothalamic nuclei involved.
  6. Functions of sex steroids in adulthood.
  7. Pregnancy: recognition and establishment.
  8. Lactation.


METABOLISM AND NUTRITION

ENERGY AND METABOLIC RATE

  1. ATP as the unit of energy exchange: ATP synthesis and utilization.
  2. Characteristics of energy systems: energy balance.
  3. Anaerobic energy utilization: maximal exercise.
  4. Respiratory quotient.
  5. Metabolic rate: basal metabolic rate.
  6. Factors regulating metabolic rate.

NUTRITIONAL BALANCE

  1. Relationship between food intake and energy. Heat of combustion.
  2. Daily requirements of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
  3. Concept of functional foods.
  4. Concepts of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics.
  5. General characteristics of a balanced diet: nutritional imbalances.

REGULATION OF BODY WEIGHT AND ENERGY STORES

  1. Regulation of food intake: neural centers and endocrine mechanisms involved.
  2. Leptin, hypothalamic peptides, and ghrelin.
  3. Long-term regulation of body weight.


EXCRETORY SYSTEM AND BODY FLUIDS

VOLUME AND COMPOSITION OF BODY FLUIDS

  1. Body water. Water balance.
  2. Characteristics, distribution, and composition of body fluids.
  3. Measurement of body fluid compartments.

GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF THE KIDNEY

  1. Functional structure of the kidney.
  2. Functional structure of the nephron.
  3. Structure of the renal circulation.

GLOMERULAR FUNCTION AND HEMODYNAMICS

  1. Functional structure of the glomerulus: glomerular filtration barrier.
  2. Mechanisms of glomerular filtration.
  3. Glomerular hemodynamics: functions of the juxtaglomerular apparatus.

TUBULAR PROCESSES

  1. Tubular reabsorption and secretion.
  2. Tubular load, transport maximum, and urinary excretion.
  3. Regulation of tubular reabsorption.

MECHANISMS OF URINE CONCENTRATION

  1. Corticomedullary osmotic gradient: concept, generation, and maintenance.
  2. Function of the tubular system in urine concentration and dilution: changes in tubular fluid volume and osmolarity along the nephron.
  3. Urine-concentrating capacity of vertebrate kidneys.
  4. ADH and urine concentration: aquaporins.

REGULATION OF BODY FLUID VOLUME AND OSMOLARITY

  1. Regulation of osmolarity.
  2. Regulation of extracellular fluid volume.
  3. Excretion of nitrogenous waste products.

REGULATION OF ACID–BASE BALANCE

  1. Hydrogen ion concentration in body fluids.
  2. Functions of buffer systems.
  3. Renal regulation of hydrogen ion concentration.
  4. Physiological compensation of acid–base disorders.

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE URINARY TRACT. MICTURITION

  1. Functional structure of the urinary tract.
  2. Transport of urine through the urinary tract.
  3. Functions of the urinary bladder.
  4. Micturition reflex.

ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION

  1. Concept and calculation of plasma clearance.
  2. Determination of the glomerular filtration rate.
  3. Determination of renal plasma flow.


SEMINARS AND CASE-BASED LEARNING PROGRAM

  • Applied endocrinology.
  • Functional foods.
  • Body fluid compartments and volumes: calculation of body fluid compartments and equilibrium between fluid compartments (osmosis).
  • Renal function tests: determination of parameters of renal function.


LABORATORY PRACTICALS

ENDOCRINE PHYSIOLOGY

  • Blood glucose curves.
  • Cortisol determination.

FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY

  • Introduction to animal experimentation in biomedicine.
  • Necropsy of a laboratory rodent with identification of the major functional systems.


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
study 46 1.84 KM27, KM29, SM24, SM25
works elaboration 15 0.6 CM22, CM23, KM27, KM29, SM24, SM25
theoretical expossitions 36 1.44 CM22, CM23, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM24, SM25
supervised type 3 0.12 KM27, KM28, KM29, SM24, SM25
classrom cases resolution 10 0.4 CM22, KM28, SM23
questions resolution 21 0.84 CM22, CM23, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM24, SM25
practical labioratory thecniques 7 0.28 CM22, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM24, SM25

Theoretical classes:

Systemized exhibition of the subject's agenda, giving relevance to the most important concepts. The student acquires the basic scientific knowledge of the subject attending classes of theory, which will complement the personal study of the exposed subjects.


Classroom practices:

Presentation and work on cases or problems of relevance to the learning of the subject. The knowledge acquired in the theory classes and in the personal study apply to the resolution of practical cases that are posed in the seminars. Students work in small groups.


Practical classes:

Practical sessions for the observation and realization of procedures, the practical learning of physiological techniques. It promotes group work and active self-learning.

Use of AI.

For this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed exclusively in support tasks, such as bibliographic or information search, proofreading or translations. The student will have to clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. Non-transparency of the use of AI in this evaluable activity will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a partial or total penalty in the grade of the activity, or higher penalties in serious cases.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Assessment of theoretical knowledge through two objective examinations. These examinations will consist of a combination of multiple-choice questions and essay questions (to assess students' ability to solve problems and provide reasoned explanations). 70% 6 0.24 CM23, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM24, SM25
Evaluation of practical knowledge through tests, analysis of data and tests 15% 3 0.12 CM22, CM23, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM24, SM25
Evaluation of the preparation and presentations of the problems and cases and of works carried out 15% 3 0.12 CM22, CM23, KM27, KM28, KM29, SM23, SM25

The competences of this subject will be evaluated by means of:


1- Evaluation of theoretical knowledge through objective tests (70% of the final grade)

Two partial evaluations of the subject will be carried out, with a weight proportional to the number of classes given. These tests will consist of development questions and/or multiple-choice questions, where the whole subject matter of the course will be covered. It is necessary to obtain a grade equal or higher than 4,5 in each partial evaluation to consider that part as passed. The parts not passed can be recovered in a final recovery test. An average will only be made with other evaluation activities (calculation of the final grade) when all the tests are passed with a grade higher or equal to 4,5.


2 - Evaluation of the problems, cases and works carried out in the seminars (15% of the final grade).

By their nature, the seminars/case studies are not recoverable activities. Failure to complete a particular seminar will result in a grade of 0.0 for the activity in question. This grade is obtained from the average of the grades of the scheduled seminars.


3- Evaluation of practical knowledge (laboratory) (15% of the final grade).

Practical activities are evaluated on the basis of two activities: i) questionnaires of laboratory practices (5% of the grade, non-repeating students or repieating students which have waived the completion of the practical sessions, see below for details); ii) exams of practical contents (10% of the grade, non-repeating students or repieating students which have waived the completion of the practical sessions, see below for details). A single practice exams will be given at the same time as the second evaluation of theoretical knoledge. The practice exams will not be recoverable.


In order to attend the laboratory practice sessions, the student must prove that he/she has passed the biosafety and security tests that can be found in the Virtual Campus and that he/she is aware of and accepts the rules of operation of the laboratories of the Faculty of Biosciences. The laboratory practicals are compulsory activities according to the regulations of the Faculty of Biosciences.


Practicum grades are not recoverable or modifiable.


- Calculation of the final grade:

Final grade = Weighted grade ofthe theoretical midterm (70%) + Seminar grade (15%) + Practical grade (15%).

The final grade is calculated on the basis of the three evaluation activities indicated above and can only be calculated if in the evaluation of theoretical knowledge each of the three partial grades have been passed with a grade greater than or equal to 4,5.

In case of not being able to calculate an overall final grade for not fulfilling the condition of passing the midterm with a grade higher or equal to 4,5 the student will receive a final grade that will correspond to the lowest grade of the two theoretical knowledge evaluations.

- Repeating students: No grade will be kept from one course to the next. Repeating students can make partial waivers:

(i) Waive the completion of the practical sessions. In this case, they will have to take the practical exam, like the rest of the students, and the grade obtained in the exam will represent their final practical grade (15% of the final grade).

ii) Waiving the seminars. In this case, the final grade will be calculated as theory (85%) + practical (15%).


To participate in the recovery, students must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities the weight of which is equivalent to a minimum of two thirds of the total grade of the course. Therefore, the student will obtain the grade of \"Not Evaluable\" when the evaluation activities performed have a weight of less than 67% in the final grade.


Single evaluation: This subject does not include a single evaluation.


Any irregularity in an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or the improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course syllabus) that may result in a significant change to the grade will lead to that assessment activity being awarded a grade of 0. If the course syllabus establishes that obtaining a minimum grade in that assessment activity is an essential requirement for passing the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who commits any of these irregularities.

Bibliography

GNERAL REFERENCES:

BERNE R, LEVY M. Fisiología (8a ed.). Elsevier-Mosby, 2024.

GUYTON AC, HALL JE. Tratado de Fisiología Médica (15ª ed.). Elsevier, 2026.

POCOCK G, RICHARDS CD. Fisiología humana. La base de la Medicina (2ª ed.). Masson, 2005.

TRESGUERRES JAF. Fisiología Humana (5ª ed.). Mc Graw Hill-Interamericana, 2020.

JOHNSON, LR. Gastrointestinal Physiology (9º ed.). Mosby – Physiology Mongraphs, 2019.


JOHSON MH. Essential Reproduction (8.ª ed) Wiley-Blackwell, 2018.

HOLT RIG. y HANLEY NA. Essential Endocrinology and Diabetes (7ª ed.) Wiley-Blackwell, 2021.


References in digital format:


Several of the proposed texts are available in digital version through the UAB Library Service. It is recommended to follow the following guide for the location of digital texts: https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/guibib/224929/bibrecdigitals.pdf

Software

This subject does not use any specific software.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 52 Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 521 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 521 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori 521 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 522 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 522 Catalan/Spanish first semester afternoon
(PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori 522 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 523 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed
(PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori 523 Catalan/Spanish first semester morning-mixed