Laboratory of Human Biology

Code: BIO11472L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Biological Sciences

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Presentation

In the Laboratory of Human Biology virtual experiments of electrophysiology and pharmacology are carried out, simulated on the computer, to acquire scientific skills and consolidate knowledge on basic physiology topics.

Sustainable Development Goals

Saúde e bem-estar - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Vida terrestre - Proteger, recuperar e promover o uso sustentável dos ecossistemas terrestres, gerir de forma sustentável as florestas, combater a desertificação, deter e reverter a degradação da Terra e deter a perda da biodiversidade.

Learning Goals

1. Develop interest in research and scientific skills: understanding the scientific method; ability to integrate concepts and knowledge to describe and discuss experimental results; ability to search for scientific knowledge on platforms containing validated scientific publications.
2. Develop organizational skills: laboratory notebook; time planning and management; teamwork.
3. Develop communication skills: oral presentation and discussion of experimental results.
4. Deepen knowledge on basic topics of human physiology: the physiology of neurons; the mechanisms of synaptic transmission to regulate physiological processes; the mode of action of neurotransmitters and hormones in the coordination and regulation of physiological processes.

Simulated experiments (computer programs) on fundamental physiology topics:
1. Action potential: effect of electrical stimuli and extracellular components on axon excitability and action potential.
2. Information transmission at synapses: effect of electrical stimuli and extracellular components on synaptic transmission (neuromotor plate).
3. Regulation of skeletal-muscle contraction: effect of electrical stimuli and extracellular components on neuromuscular transmission and/or muscle-contraction force.
4. Neuro-endocrine regulation of the cardiovascular system: recording of arterial and venous pressure, left ventricular pressure, myocardial contraction force and heart rate in an anesthetised rat; understanding the results observed with electrical stimulation of different nerves in the autonomic system or with venous injection of endogenous substances (neurotransmitters and hormones) or exogenous (membrane receptor agonists/antagonists).

Teaching Methods

Teaching takes place in a room equipped with computers to carry out virtual experiments. After describing the topic under study, the real laboratory where the experiment would be performed, the hypotheses to be tested and the experimental procedure, students perform the experiments, individually or in groups (2-3), following protocols prepared by the teacher. The student is required to describe and interpret the results in the laboratory notebook, and to participate in debates initiated by the teacher about the results of the experiments. These debates aim at the correct description and interpretation of the results and, in some cases, to stimulate the simulation of additional experiences to test explanatory hypotheses of the observed results. Face-to-face teaching is complemented online through content and activities on the moodle platform. Assessment is carried out through tests throughout the semester (2-3) or by final exam; approval requires a minimum of 10/20 points.