The course intends to provide basic knowledge about the functioning of cells and the human organism. These notions are propaedeutic to the understanding of the interactions between the organism and drugs or other physical and chemical agents endowed with biological activity, i.e. able to modify the functional status of the human organism.
Providing basic knowledge about the mechanisms governing cell functions: cell-cell communication, nervous impulse transmission, synaptic transmission, sensory receptors, and muscle contraction. Illustrating the functions of the body organs and systems: cardiovascular function, immune system, respiration, excretion-osmoregulation, nutrition-bioenergetics, endocrine system, and reproduction.
The course intends to make students able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of questions, the solution of problems, and to illustrate the topics of the syllabus.
Basic knowledge of Mathematics, Physics, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy, and Biochemistry
Class lessons with exercise and teaching materials on the University’s AulaWeb platform.
SYLLABUS/CONTENT
General principles
• Definition of Physiology.
• Features of living beings.
• Chemical composition of living matter.
• Homeostasis and exercise physiology.
Cells
• Cell membrane. Diffusion, osmosis. Membrane transport.
• Cell communication. Signal molecules, cell receptors. Signal transduction pathways.
• Diffusion and equilibrium potentials. Donnan equilibrium, pump-and-leak model, RVD, RVI.
• Membrane currents and EF measurements. Action potential.
• Intracellular calcium signaling and homeostasis.
• Synapses.
Sistems
• Central nervous system. Brain, mesencephalon, cerebellum. Effector systems.
• Sensory system, skin receptors. Eye, photoreceptors and neural retina. Ear and vestibular system, taste, smell.
• Endocrine system, hypothalamic–pituitary axis, pineal gland, thyroid. Parathyroid gland, calcium balance, adrenal glands. Glicogen metabolism. Gonads.
• Muscular system, striated muscle fiber, muscle contraction. Types of muscle fibers.
• Body’s liquids, blood composition. Hemostasis, lymphatic system. Immune system.
• Cardiovascular system, electric activity, contraction. Cardiac cycle. Vessels, flux, pressure, capillaries. Veins, pressure regulation.
• Respiratory system and dynamics. Lung volumes, gas exchange, oxygen transport. Control of respiration, CO2 transport, ventilation/perfusion ratio.
• Kidney, filtration and reabsorption. Urine concentration, salt water balance. Acid-base homeostasis, alkalosis, acidosis.
• Digestive system, salivary glands, stomach. Liver, pancreas. Gastrointestinal motility and absorption.
• Male reproductive system. Female reproductive system, menstrual cycle. Fertilization, pregnancy.
• Energy balance.
Cell physiology: • V. Taglietti, C. Casella. Fisiologia e Biofisica delle Cellule, EdiSES. Napoli .
Organism physiology (one of the following):
• AA VV. Fisiologia Umana, Fondamenti. Edi Ermes.
• D.U. Silverthorn. Fisiologia. Pearson .
• W.J. Germann, C. L. Stanfield. Fisiologia. EdiSES. Napoli.
• L. Sherwood. Fisiologia Umana. Zanichelli.
Supplementary materials on the AulaWeb platform.
Ricevimento: Appointment request by mail: burlando@difar.unige.it
BRUNO PIETRO BURLANDO (President)
ILARIA DEMORI
GIORGIO GRASSELLI
Combined multiple-answer quiz and oral exam.
If sanitary rules impose distance activities, exams are completely oral.
Combined written and oral exam assessing the student's ability of using the acquired knowledge to analyze and respond to questions, solve problems, and illustrate the topics of the syllabus.
