Digestion, Nutrition and Metabolism

This unit will introduce the relationships between gastrointestinal function, nutrition, metabolism and human health. The unit covers the gastrointestinal structure and function, the neural regulation of gastrointestinal functions; chemical nature of the nutrients, their roles in body structure and function, and their handling by the gastrointestinal system, the body as a whole and their metabolism. It extends this physiological knowledge by examining the energy intake and regulation; dietary guidelines; and the role of nutrition in maintaining good health. This unit will also examine the role of diet in chronic diseases.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Integrate gastrointestinal physiology with nutrition and metabolism;
2. Evaluate the role of the enteric nervous system in the regulation of digestion;
3. Assess different macro and micronutrients, their role within the body using various laboratory approaches;
4. Contextualise the importance of digestion, metabolism, nutrition and energy balance to the wellbeing of an individual;
5. Analyse the role of diet in the development of common chronic disease states;
6. Apply knowledge to solve problems in the area of digestion and nutrition both independently and collaboratively.