Nutrients, Energy and Fuel Metabolism

Entry requirements

For admission to a new term, passed compulsory parts are required from previous terms and all examinations, except one from the nearest previous term, must be passed. After interruption of studies, it is required that all courses from the previous terms are passed.

The education follows a course of studies, which implies that the courses should be taken in an established order.

Learning outcomes

The teaching should provide knowledge of the body's uptake and storage of nutrients and their use for energy-intensive processes. Thereby, a basis for continued theoretical and clinical studies within the medical programme and future occupational work is created.

Aims of the course

After the course, the student should:

• be able to describe the structure of the digestive tract and fat tissue at macroanatomical and histological levels, as well as their function in uptake and storage of different nutrients
• be able describe transport, distribution, storage and release of different nutrients in the body
• be able to describe the role of nutrients in both oxygen independent and oxygen dependent energy transformation processes
• be able to explain the role enzymes have in the metabolism and how their activity may be regulated
• be able to explain the importance of these processes (see previous point) for the energy-intensive activities of the body
• be able to decribe biochemical and physiological factors that limit physical capacity and be able to explain how one can measure physical capacity with an ergometer bicycle
• be able to describe oxygen's essential and potentially harmful properties and the most important cell-protective anti-oxidant mechanisms
• be able to describe the metabolism of ethanol, and short and long term metabolic effects of alcohol intake
• be able to describe the preparation of a diet anamnesis, its evaluation and basic nutritional concepts

Content

The teaching comprises:

Basic biochemistry

Cellular and molecular structures and functions of organs and tissues

Metabolism and metabolic regulation

Uptake and use of nutrients

Instruction

Takes place in the form of case studies, lectures, laboratory sessions, microscopy exercises and computer-based studies of organ system.

Assessment

For regulatory framework about absence from compulsory parts and rules for participation in examination, see programme syllabus in the students' guide.

Students who have not passed the examination have the right to attend 4 additional examinations (i.e. 5 examinations in total). If special circumstances apply, the programme committee may admit additional examinations. Every time the student participates in an examination counts. Submission of a so called blank exam is counted as an examination.

The student has the right to request a change of examiner after two failed examinations.