Physiology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Human Physiology studies the functioning of the organs and systems of the human body. Understanding how the human body works is part of the fundamental knowledge for any healthcare professional. The teaching therefore aims to provide the student with the basic notions on the functioning mechanism of the organs and systems of the human body. The aim of the teaching is also to create in the student the awareness that all systems function in an integrated manner and interact with each other with the aim of maintaining the homeostasis of a series of chemical-physical parameters fundamental for the well-being and health of the body. The understanding of these functioning mechanisms in normal/physiological conditions is preparatory and necessary for the study of more strictly clinical topicsTraining Objectives and will allow the student to understand what happens in a body subject to malfunctioning of organs and systems.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will have acquired knowledge relating to the functioning of the human body, will be able to explain the mechanisms underlying the functioning of the various organs and will know how the various organs and systems interact with each other for the final maintenance of homeostasis , therefore of physiological well-being. This basic knowledge will be fundamental to understanding the malfunction and pathological conditions of organs and systems which will be illustrated in the various pathology courses and medical clinics that will follow in the following months and years.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Course syllabus
1) Membrane physiology
· Transports
· ions and molecules across membranes
· diffusion - osmotic pressure
· resting membrane potentials - the equilibrium potentials
· graduated potentials
2) Action potential
· genesis of the Action Potential
· absolute refractoriness and relative refractoriness
· propagation of the action potential - myelin
3) Synapses
· chemical and electrical synapses
· synaptic release mechanisms
· synaptic modulation: second messengers: spatial and temporal summations; presynaptic inhibition and facilitation
4) neurochemistry
· neurotransmitter systems
· receptor agonists and antagonists
5) General organization of the central nervous system
6) somatosensory systems
· sensory receptors and receptor potential
· sensory pathways
7) pain: nociceptive pathways, peripheral and central modulation mechanisms
8) Special senses: sight; the retina; transduction of visual signals; perception of color and movement
9) Special senses: hearing, external, middle, internal ear; the cochlea and the transduction of sounds; sound localization mechanism; auditory pathways
10) autonomic nervous system
11) Motor System
· structure and molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle: the contraction cycle
· excitation-contraction coupling; motor pathways
· neuromuscular spindles
· cerebellum and basal nuclei
. motor control: reflex and rhythmic movements; voluntary movements
12) cardiovascular
cardiac mechanics (cardiac cycle)
· electrophysiology of cardiac cells
· cardiac output: its regulation
· blood pressure control
13) respiratory
· respiratory mechanics and ventilation; hypoxia
· exchange and transport of gases in the blood
· hemoglobin
· regulation of breathing
14) excretory system
· the glomerulus: ultrafiltration mechanisms
· tubular transport: reabsorption and secretions
· mechanism of ADH and aldosterone
· integration of renal homeostatic control mechanisms
15) digestive system: anatomical notes
· the oral cavity: chewing, salivation, swallowing
· functions of the stomach
· control of gastric activity: hormones of the digestive system
· digestion and absorption: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids
· notes on liver and pancreatic function
16) energy metabolism
· basal metabolism and energy balance
· catabolism and anabolism; control of eating behavior
· body temperature: regulation and maintenance
· the fever
14) principles of endocrinology:
· hypothalamic-pituitary
· growth hormone
· thyroid and thyroid hormones
· adrenal glands: response to stress
15) hints of higher functions
· Transports
· ions and molecules across membranes
· diffusion - osmotic pressure
· resting membrane potentials - the equilibrium potentials
· graduated potentials
2) Action potential
· genesis of the Action Potential
· absolute refractoriness and relative refractoriness
· propagation of the action potential - myelin
3) Synapses
· chemical and electrical synapses
· synaptic release mechanisms
· synaptic modulation: second messengers: spatial and temporal summations; presynaptic inhibition and facilitation
4) neurochemistry
· neurotransmitter systems
· receptor agonists and antagonists
5) General organization of the central nervous system
6) somatosensory systems
· sensory receptors and receptor potential
· sensory pathways
7) pain: nociceptive pathways, peripheral and central modulation mechanisms
8) Special senses: sight; the retina; transduction of visual signals; perception of color and movement
9) Special senses: hearing, external, middle, internal ear; the cochlea and the transduction of sounds; sound localization mechanism; auditory pathways
10) autonomic nervous system
11) Motor System
· structure and molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle: the contraction cycle
· excitation-contraction coupling; motor pathways
· neuromuscular spindles
· cerebellum and basal nuclei
. motor control: reflex and rhythmic movements; voluntary movements
12) cardiovascular
cardiac mechanics (cardiac cycle)
· electrophysiology of cardiac cells
· cardiac output: its regulation
· blood pressure control
13) respiratory
· respiratory mechanics and ventilation; hypoxia
· exchange and transport of gases in the blood
· hemoglobin
· regulation of breathing
14) excretory system
· the glomerulus: ultrafiltration mechanisms
· tubular transport: reabsorption and secretions
· mechanism of ADH and aldosterone
· integration of renal homeostatic control mechanisms
15) digestive system: anatomical notes
· the oral cavity: chewing, salivation, swallowing
· functions of the stomach
· control of gastric activity: hormones of the digestive system
· digestion and absorption: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids
· notes on liver and pancreatic function
16) energy metabolism
· basal metabolism and energy balance
· catabolism and anabolism; control of eating behavior
· body temperature: regulation and maintenance
· the fever
14) principles of endocrinology:
· hypothalamic-pituitary
· growth hormone
· thyroid and thyroid hormones
· adrenal glands: response to stress
15) hints of higher functions
Prerequisites for admission
This course requires a good knowledge of Human Anatomy, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Teaching methods
This course is based entirely on lectures in which many slides will be shown, explained and discussed. To prepare for the exam it is necessary to use a text on Human Physiology.
Reference material
1) Sherwood: Fundamentals of Human Physiology - Piccin
2) Stanfield: Physiology - EDISES
3) Berne&Levy: Physiology - CEA
4) Silverthorn: Human Physiology - Pearson
Teaching methods
This course is based entirely on lectures in which many slides will be shown, explained and discussed. To prepare for the exam it is necessary to use a text on Human Physiology.
Reference material
1) Sherwood: Fundamentals of Human Physiology - Piccin
2) Stanfield: Physiology - EDISES
3) Berne&Levy: Physiology - CEA
4) Silverthorn: Human Physiology - Pearson
Teaching methods
This course is based entirely on lectures in which many slides will be shown, explained and discussed. To prepare for the exam it is necessary to use a text on Human Physiology.
Teaching Resources
1) Sherwood: Fondamenti di Fisiologia Umana- Piccin
2) Stanfield: Fisiologia - EDISES
3) Berne&Levy: Fisiologia - CEA
4) Silverthorn: Fisiologia Umana - Pearson
2) Stanfield: Fisiologia - EDISES
3) Berne&Levy: Fisiologia - CEA
4) Silverthorn: Fisiologia Umana - Pearson
Assessment methods and Criteria
There are no ongoing checks or intermediate tests. The final exam will be carried out in the form of a written pre-selection test followed by an oral interview, 6 annual tests distributed over the 3 official sessions. The duration of the test can vary from 15 to 45 minutes. The vote given out of thirty and communicated at the time. The general notional knowledge of the topics covered will be assessed but especially the understanding of the functioning mechanisms of the organs and systems will be verified. Reasoning ability, the ability to appropriately use scientific terms and knowledge of them and, more generally, the ability to express oneself and explain physiological mechanisms of operation will also be assessed.
BIO/09 - PHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 10
Lessons: 100 hours
Professors:
Manfridi Alfredo, Pigorini Andrea
Professor(s)
Reception:
upon request