OVERVIEW

Within the integrated Human Physiology and Food Science course, the teaching of Human Physiology provides the elements to understand the physiological functioning of the cellular neuronal physiology, the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and endocrine systems. The Food Science course provides the elements for understanding the functions of the digestive system. The main nutritional aspects of different nutrients are analyzed in relation to the organism nutritional needs.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To know the cell physiology and the functioning of organs and systems.

To know the classification and nutritional properties of foods.

LEARNING OUTCOMES (FURTHER INFO)

The student have to learn the excitatory cell physiology and therefore the functioning of the nervous system and the control that it, with the endocrine system, exerts on the vegetative life and on the relationship life. In addition, the student have to know the functioning of the apparati and their dynamic integration into the maintenance of the homeostasis of the organism.

The student will have informations about the physiology of the digestive system. Then he will study the caloric nutrition of food and vitamins, energy metabolism and body composition. The aim of the course is to provide students with the basis for studying how nutrition, seen as the set of dynamic biochemical relationships between substances in food and living metabolism, plays a key role in protecting the various risk factors and maintaining human health.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal Lessons of Physiology

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

To know the liquid compartments of the body and their composition, the cell membrane: structure and permeability and the transport of substances through it: ion channels and carriers.

To know the potential of a membrane at rest. The excitable cell membrane: the action potential and its conduction, the mechanism of the neurotransmitters release, the functional role of synapses, the different receptors involved in the synapse function, the excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic potentials.

Knowing the muscle cell, the neuro-muscular junction, the mechanism of contraction of the skeletal muscle and motor units.

Understanding the motor system, spinal reflections. Have knowledge of the sensory system and somatic sensitivities. Know the processing and perception of sensory information and the ways of conducting. Understand the basic aspects of pain and analgesia
To have information on the autonomic nervous system, on the organization, on the neurotransmitters, on the receptors and on the responses of the effector organs.

To know the components of the blood and the process of hemostasis. Know the morpho-functional characteristics of myocardial cells: the rest and action potential, the pulse conduction system. Understand the origin of the heartbeat. Possess the basics to understand mechanical heart cycle events, heart rate regulation and autonomic nervous system effects on the myocardium.
To know the blood circulation, blood pressure and understand its regulation.
To have general knowledge about capillary exchanges.
To know the cardiac output and venous return and their regulation and control of the cardiovascular system.

To understand the functional organization of lung and airways. Possess the basics of respiratory mechanics and respiratory muscles, elastic properties of the lung and chest cage. Understand the origin of intra-pulmonary and intrapleural pressure.
To know the properties of gases, gaseous exchanges and how to transport the respiratory gases in the blood.

To know the nervous and chemical regulation of breathing.

To know the general characteristics of the kidney and nephron structure.
To understand the functions of the various sections of the nephron such as glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption and secretion, the formation of the bone marrow hyperactivity gradient and the dilution and concentration of urine, the functions of the various sections of the nephrone. Know the endocrine regulation of water-saline metabolism (Aldosterone, ADH) and renal clearance.

To know the types of hormones and their receptors.
To understand the control of hormonal secretion and the functioning of the hypothalamus-hypophyseal axis
and growth (Thyroid and GH).

To know the Metabolism of Calcium and Phosphate. (Vitamin D, paratormone, calcitonin). Knowing the Intermediate Metabolism (Glucagon and Insulin) and Adrenal Glands.

To know the enteric nervous system.
To know the smooth muscle cell.
To know the anatomy-functional organization of the motility in the digestive system.
To know the composition, regulation and meaning of secretions in the digestive tract.
To know the processes of digestion and absorption of nutritional principles.
To know the Organic Food Ingredients: glucids, lipids, proteins and hydro- and lipo-soluble vitamins.
To know the quantification aspects of energy replacement and direct and indirect evaluation methods. Know basal metabolism.
To have notions of inorganic elements: calcium and iron.
To know about body composition and assessment methods.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Silverthorn. Fisiologia Umana. Casa editrice Ambrosiana.

Sherwood - Fondamenti di Fisiologia Umana – Piccin

Stanfield - Fisiologia - EDISES

Vander - Fisiologia - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

Battaglia-Noè. Elementi di fisiologia e scienza dell'alimentazione - Casa Editrice Mc Graw Hill

For students, all slides for each topic will be available on AulaWeb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

april, 2017

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral and involves two questions of Human Physiology and a Food Science question by two different teachers. To gain access to the oral exam, you have to pass a written test consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions. To gain access to the oral exam you have to reach the score of 15 points (the score is divided as follows: points 1 for each correct question, points: -0.25 for each wrong question, no score for unanswered questions). If the oral test fail, the written test must be repeated.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

In the oral exam, the preparation of the candidate and the achievement of the learning outcomes provided in the two components of the integrated course are evaluated by the teachers of Physiology and Food Science. The candidate have to demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge about the general physiology and specific function of the organs and systems present in the program.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

On aulaweb are available slides provided by the professors of the course.

Two lesson modules are available for students on Aulaweb

Cardiovascular system Prof. Onofri

Spinal Reflexes: Prof. Bove