E6030 Environmental Human Physiology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. MUDr. Julie Dobrovolná, Ph.D. (lecturer), Mgr. Jan Kučera, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
prof. MUDr. Julie Dobrovolná, Ph.D.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. MUDr. Julie Dobrovolná, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
E3230 - Human Pathophysiology
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The primary objective of the course is to introduce the principles of environmental physiology and human/animal adaptation to the students, with emphasis on mechanisms of gas exchange, temperature regulation, acid-base balance, and related mechanisms of their homeostasis. The course covers both the typical non-extreme and extreme conditions achievable on Earth.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to: • To be able to explain the basics of the gas exchange mechanisms by which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between cells and the environment. • Be able to recognize the biomechanical/biophysical factors of the lung and chest wall that limit gas exchange in various environments and in common pulmonary diseases. • Be able to discuss the homeostatic mechanisms that control the ventilatory rate to manage gas exchange in various environmental conditions. • To be able to compare and contrast differences in the systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation in health, environmental exposure and common diseases. • To explain ways and conditions in which the pulmonary system might limit human physical activity in various stress environments. • To critically assess what is known about the pathophysiology of passive and exertional heat stroke, prevention strategies, and potential long-term consequences. • to define the long-term and short term adaptations to altitude exposure and acclimatization • To be able to explain the basics of the thermoregulatory control systems in both hyperthermic and hypothermic environments. • To identify the effects and importance of hydration and salt balance in non-extreme and extreme environments on Earth • To discuss and critically assess the therapeutic aspects of cold and heat exposure in tissue responses and recovery from various clinical disorders. • To describe the respiratory and cardiovascular responses to high altitude exposure, the effects of hypobaric and hypoxic environments • Be able to categorize and discuss the adaptive mechanisms to underwater immersion and diving and associated stress and to discuss the physiology of water submersion based on the depth
Syllabus
  • 1. Definitions, history, and basics in Environmental Physiology 2. Gas exchange - Carriage of O2 and CO2- in the blood- regulation of pulmonary circulation; Implications of breathing water vs. air - Transition from water to air-breathing in human development 3. Gas exchange - Hemoglobin and the Root effect - Bohr-Haldane effect 4. Gas exchange - Gas exchange during exercise - Hypoxia and altitude Long and short term adaptations to altitude exposure Intermittent hypoxia and training responses to intermittent hypoxic exposure 5. Gas Exchange - Aquatic hypoxia, 6. Gas exchange Acid-base regulation - Physiology and pathophysiology of underwater immersion and hyperbaric exposure - Mechanisms of pH Regulation 7. Acid-base regulation - Responses to CO2 exposure in humans - Disturbances related to feeding 8. Acid-base regulation - Diseases of the acid-base regulation, Regulation of body fluids and salt balance in exercise and hyperthermic environments. 9. Water balance Ion/osmotic regulation - Osmoconformers/regulators 10. Ion/osmotic regulation - Hypersaline tolerance and the - Ion regulation and the gut 11. Ion/osmotic regulation - Ion regulation and metal toxicity 12. Temperature - Thermoregulation – mechanisms of exercise/hyperthermia/hypothermia and fever. Tissue responses to heat/cold and osmotic stress. 13. Epigenetic responses to environmental exposure. 14. Discussion, and presentation topics.
Teaching methods
Education is performed as lectures with Powerpoint presentation. Understanding of mechanisms and consequences is emphasized. Students are frequently asked questions to think about actual topic. They are encouraged to ask questions and be in interaction with the lecturer.
Assessment methods
Attendance of the lectures is not mandatory but strongly recommended for complete understanding of the educated subjects. During the lectures, students are asked about subjects of past lectures. The final assessment (at the end of the semester) is by written examination. It is not a multiple-choice test but 50 questions, which frequently require a description, explanation, or schematization of the asked topic. Questions have 1 - 3 points according to their difficulty. The total count is 100, and to pass at least 30 points are needed.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2025/E6030