Bachelor course Nutritional Science

The Module Human nutrition biology consists of the lectures Functional anatomy and physiology of the inner organs and Human nutrition.

In the lecture Functional anatomy and physiology of the inner organs the knowledge regarding the structure and the function of the inner organs of humans is provided. Additionally the macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the inner organs, the relationship between organ architecture and function as well as the regulation of the organ function are discussed subjects.

In the lecture Human nutrition knowledge about the basics as well as applied problems of the nutrition supply of humans is provided. The key focus is on the main nutrients carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Furthermore special characteristics in the supply of micronutrients, bulk and trace elements are explained.

Physiology is the science of the functioning of an organism and the influence of the environment on it. With regard to nutrition its focus is on questions about the digestion and the metabolism of macro- (fats, proteins, carbohydrates) and micronutrients (bulk and trace elements, vitamins). Among other thing the regulation of food uptake, the transport of food and the motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract are discussed. Additionally defense processes in the gastrointestinal tract as well as the importance of the microbiota for the fermentational conversion of food components are illustrated. Pathophysiology is the science of impaired functional processes in the organism and in the organ systems and organs, repectively. With regard to nutrition it is focused on the causes of a disease (etiology) and the processes that are involved in disease development (pathogenesis), which can be nutrition dependent or influenced by nutrition. Pathophysiology acts as a strong bridge between the natural sciences and the complex area of clinical medicine.

The students will apply the basic methods of experimental nutritional science by themselves. The department of physiology and pathophysiology of nutrition will conduct the following experiments within the module:

• Capillary blood drawing
• Preparation and evaluation of clinical specimens and application of the methods to evaluate the red and white blood count
• Blood typing
• Lactose tolerance test using the H2 breath test
• Measurement of the mouth caecum transit time using the H2 breath test
• Lipase activity test
• Histology of the gastrointestinal tract