Integrated systems physiology
A.A. 2024/2025
Obiettivi formativi
The course is aimed to enhance knowledge in the functional integration of organ systems for the maintenance of body homeostasis. In particular, the course is designed to challenge and stimulate the student's interest in how the complex integration of organ systems is necessary for the body wellness and how alteration can explain diseases and drugs' side-effects.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
By the end of the course the students will be able:
to recognize the role played by the different physiological systems in the body's integrated responses;
to apply this knowledge to understand the disease onset mechanisms that may allow the identification of new therapeutic targets and the design of new biotechnological drugs.
to recognize the role played by the different physiological systems in the body's integrated responses;
to apply this knowledge to understand the disease onset mechanisms that may allow the identification of new therapeutic targets and the design of new biotechnological drugs.
Periodo: annuale
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
annuale
Programma
The course will cover the following topics:
Sensation and sensory processing
Sensory systems and perception. Organization of sensory system: how peripheral sensory information is elaborated at integrated at the CNS. Insights: Nociception
Movement and its central control
The organization of the motor system: how a brain-programmed action is translated into motion. Processes that program and control the execution of actions, their interaction with motion perception. Insights: mirror neurons
Learning and Memory.
The neural and functional organization of short and long term memory processes and their role in human cognition. Molecular and cellular bases; neuronal plasticity; brain aging.
Speech and language.
Origins of language; language acquisition; the brain areas dedicated to language, the Broca area and the Wernicke area; aphasia; the lateralization of language; dyslexia; reading processes and considerations on the writing process.
The sleep.
The functional and neural structure of sleep control; biochemistry and physiology of sleep.
Control of body temperature
Body temperature balance: heat production, gain and loss. Peripheral and central mechanisms of control.
Sex differences in Physiology
Chromosomal and endocrinological origins of sex. Steroid hormones. Sex and neural signalling. Hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Sex and behavior.
Sex differences in systems physiology, body composition and metabolism: cardiovascular system, pulmonary physiology, skeletal muscle, gastrointestinal physiology, food behavior.
Human methodologies in the study of sex differences.
Sensation and sensory processing
Sensory systems and perception. Organization of sensory system: how peripheral sensory information is elaborated at integrated at the CNS. Insights: Nociception
Movement and its central control
The organization of the motor system: how a brain-programmed action is translated into motion. Processes that program and control the execution of actions, their interaction with motion perception. Insights: mirror neurons
Learning and Memory.
The neural and functional organization of short and long term memory processes and their role in human cognition. Molecular and cellular bases; neuronal plasticity; brain aging.
Speech and language.
Origins of language; language acquisition; the brain areas dedicated to language, the Broca area and the Wernicke area; aphasia; the lateralization of language; dyslexia; reading processes and considerations on the writing process.
The sleep.
The functional and neural structure of sleep control; biochemistry and physiology of sleep.
Control of body temperature
Body temperature balance: heat production, gain and loss. Peripheral and central mechanisms of control.
Sex differences in Physiology
Chromosomal and endocrinological origins of sex. Steroid hormones. Sex and neural signalling. Hypothalamus-pituitary axis. Sex and behavior.
Sex differences in systems physiology, body composition and metabolism: cardiovascular system, pulmonary physiology, skeletal muscle, gastrointestinal physiology, food behavior.
Human methodologies in the study of sex differences.
Prerequisiti
To address this course, it is required that the student has already achieved the basic knowledge of anatomy and human physiology in order to better understand the integrated functions described in the course.
Metodi didattici
The course includes lectures and journal clubs. 1 ECTS (16 hours) of laboratory exercises is planned in which simulation and analysis of physiological events will be performed with the use of softwares or accessing specific websites.
The attendance of the laboratory exercises is mandatory, that of the lectures strongly recommended.
The attendance of the laboratory exercises is mandatory, that of the lectures strongly recommended.
Materiale di riferimento
- "Neuroscience" by Purves, Augustine, Fitzpatrick et al., Sinauer Oxford University Press.
- "Sex Differences in Physiology" by Neigh and Mitzelfelt, Academic Press
- "Human Physiology- An integrated approach" by Dee Unglaub Silverthorn, Pearson International Edition, Benjamin Cummings.
- "Sex Differences in Physiology" by Neigh and Mitzelfelt, Academic Press
- "Human Physiology- An integrated approach" by Dee Unglaub Silverthorn, Pearson International Edition, Benjamin Cummings.
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
The exam will be oral and will consist of two/three questions about the topics covered in the course. In order to pass the exam, student must answer in a sufficient manner (18/30) to all the questions. The final mark will be expressed out of thirty.
At the exam students should be able to identify the role of each organ and system in the integrated functions for the maintenance of homeostasis but are also expected to understand and describe the synchrony of different systems interacting simultaneously. The ability to organize knowledge in an effective speech, the ability to reason critically on the study carried out, the competence in the use of specific terminology and the quality of the presentation will also contribute to the final evaluation.
At the exam students should be able to identify the role of each organ and system in the integrated functions for the maintenance of homeostasis but are also expected to understand and describe the synchrony of different systems interacting simultaneously. The ability to organize knowledge in an effective speech, the ability to reason critically on the study carried out, the competence in the use of specific terminology and the quality of the presentation will also contribute to the final evaluation.
BIO/09 - FISIOLOGIA - CFU: 6
Esercitazioni di laboratorio a posto singolo: 16 ore
Lezioni: 40 ore
Lezioni: 40 ore
Docente:
Castagna Michela
Siti didattici
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
Previo appuntamento
Via Trentacoste 2, Milano