FB1NBP: Nutritional Biochemistry and Physiology

Module code: FB1NBP

Module provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Jeremy Spencer , email: j.p.e.spencer@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will provide you with a sound understanding of how human biochemistry and physiology underpins medical science and how macronutrients, micronutrients and non-nutrients impact on cell, tissue and organ function. An introduction to the fundamentals of human physiology, including that relevant to the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, hepatic, renal, respiratory, sensory and reproductive systems, as well as that of bone, muscle, blood and the immune system will be covered, detailing the physiological processes and metabolic pathways relevant to human health and disease. Specific examples of how nutrients within a food matrix impact on the homeostasis of these systems and consequences of nutrient deficiency will form the fundamental basis of all nutritional topics in Parts 2 and 3.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Recall the fundamentals of human biochemistry, the function of various physiological systems in the human body and concepts of nutrient balance required to support such systems
2. Describe the function of the specialist organs in the body and have some understanding of the importance of nutrition to these systems
3. To complete basic nutritional physiology laboratory tasks

Module content

In this course, students will learn about:

1. Fundamentals concepts in human physiology: cellular, tissue, organ level physiological processes and interactions between them: Rationale: Physiology forms the basis of all human disease. As such, if we wish to understand how nutrients and specific diets work, either positively or negatively within the body, it is essential to understand the physiological and biochemical systems which regulate health and disease in humans.
2. Nutritional requirements for growth and maintenance: Rationale: Fundamentally, macro-and micro-nutrients impact on the growth and maintenance of the human body from birth through to old age. An understanding of such actions is critical as a foundation to topics dealing with malnutrition and over-nutrition.
3. Macro- and micro-nutrient requirements within the context of each physiological system within the body, including that of the brain, circulatory system, bone, heart, liver etc. Rationale: The impact of specific nutrients on the functioning of each physiological system at the cell or organ level is necessary prior to an understanding of how over or under supply of such nutrients effect influences health and disease (Parts 2 and 3).
4. Fundamentals of nutritional physiology research skills such as measurement of the glycaemic index of foods, assessment of energy balance and insights into sensory science.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will use screencasts to introduce the basis of each topic, lectures and practical classes.

Study hours

At least 50 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.