OVERVIEW

The course intends to provide basic knowledge about the functioning of cells and the human organism. These notions are essential for 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.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Providing basic knowledge about the mechanisms governing cell functions: cell-cell communication, nerve 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.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of Mathematics, Physics, Organic Chemistry, Anatomy, and Biochemistry

TEACHING METHODS

Class lessons with exercise, and teaching materials available on the University’s AulaWeb platform.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

General principles

• Definition of Physiology.

• Features of living beings.

• Chemical composition of living matter.

• Homeostasis and exercise physiology.

Cells

• Cell membrane. Diffusion, osmotic pressure. 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.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

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.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

L'orario di tutti gli insegnamenti è consultabile all'indirizzo EasyAcademy.

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam possibly including exercises.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

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. Major focus on the ability of understanding mechanisms and illustrating cause-effect relationships.

Exam schedule