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Unit of study_
BIOS2170: Body Systems and Human Performance
2025 unit information
BIOS2170 explores the cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems in relation to human movement and performance. This unit covers core aspects of anatomy, histology, physiology, and pathophysiology within these systems, including strategies for maintaining acid-base balance. Students partake in hands-on practical classes involving cadaveric material, and conducting common cardiovascular and respiratory function tests. Tutorial workshops explore practical applications, such as assessing the impact of various drugs on sports performance, contrasting dehydration and overhydration, and examining sports drink formulation. The course also addresses the functioning of these systems in extreme environments, such as oxygen delivery in free diving vs sky diving. The classes link across all topics and culminate in a capstone activity that highlights the integrated nature of homeostatic adaptations to human movement and performance.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Department of Medical Sciences |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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BIOS1170 or BMED2403 or PHSI2005 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Describe: the distribution of water in the body. the difference between intra- and extra- cellular fluid. the structure and function of the cell membrane. membrane transport mechanisms. homeostatic systems (negative feedback, positive feedback, feedforward)
- LO2. Describe: the anatomy of the heart, blood vessels and lymphatics; the external and internal features of the heart; the major components of the cardiac conducting system; the coronary circulation; the nerve supply of the heart and blood vessels; how the microstructure of different types of blood vessels relates to their function; lymphatic vessels; the location and role of valves (in the heart, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels); the origin and regulation of electrical events of the heart (with reference to microstructure of the cardiac myocyte); how the heart functions as a pump; the factors that influence cardiac output and how it is regulated, including the mathematical formulae used to describe these factors; the factors that influence blood flow and blood pressure and the mathematical formulae used to describe them; regulation of blood flow and blood pressure, including local, humoral and neural influences; the microcirculation and exchange of substances; the role of the lymphatic system and its relationship to the circulation; the pathophysiological processes underlying the development of common cardiovascular diseases.
- LO3. Describe: the organs, passages and musculoskeletal framework of the respiratory system; the process of ventilation, including the gas laws and the relationships between pressure, resistance and flow, the role of the inspiratory and expiratory muscles, the various pressures inside the chest, the role of the pleura in facilitating ventilation; factors that affect ventilation with reference resistance and compliance and work of breathing; measurement of ventilation, measures of volume and capacitance, pulmonary function tests, common diseases of the airways; the process by which gas is exchanged between the alveoli and the blood, including the concept of partial pressures, the significance of dead space, ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) matching; normal blood gas values, how they can be measured and how they can be affected in common disorders; the process by which gases are transported between the lungs and the tissues, focusing on oxygen and carbon dioxide, the key role of haemoglobin, the haemoglobin dissociation curve; control of ventilation, including the role of arterial levels of O2, CO2, H+; the common diseases that affect the respiratory system and the pathophysiological changes they produce.
- LO4. Apply the learning covered in objective 3 to explain the physiological changes occurring during exercise, how they can be modified by training, and how they are affected by extreme environments and pharmacological agents. Use this information to explain policies regarding the use of drugs in sport.
- LO5. Apply the learning covered in objective 2 to explain the physiological changes occurring during exercise, how they can be modified by training, and how they are affected by pharmacological agents. Use this information to explain policies regarding the use of drugs in sport.
- LO6. Describe: the general functions of the urinary system and how the urinary system contributes to the homeostasis of the body; the anatomy of the organs involved in production, storage and elimination of urine; the relationship between the structure and function of the nephron; the process of urine formation and the factors controlling it; the micturiton reflex; the role of the urinary system in regulation of blood pressure; the endocrine functions of the kidney; Outline some common pathologies of the urinary system and management.
- LO7. Apply the learning covered in objective 6 to explain the physiological changes occurring during exercise and how they are affected by extreme environments and pharmacological agents. Use this information explain the risks of dehydration and over-hydration in sport and develop a sports drink. Use this information to explain policies regarding the use of drugs in sport.
- LO8. Describe: regulation of pH in the intracellular and extracellular fluid; the pH of the blood and how it is affected by carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ion concentration; how the body responds to changes in carbon dioxide and bicarbonate levels; the role of the respiratory system in the regulation of hydrogen ion concentration; the role of the kidneys in the regulation of hydrogen ion concentration; the terms: acidosis, acidaemia, respiratory acidosis, metabolic acidosis, alkalosis, alkalemia, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic alkalosis.Apply this knowledge to the diagnosis of the underlying cause of acid-base abnormalities.
- LO9. Apply the learning covered in objective 8 to explain the physiological changes occurring during exercise and how they are affected by pharmacological agents. Use this information to explain policies regarding the use of drugs in sport.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
