| PHYSIOLOGY
(objectives)
a) EDUCATIONAL GOALS
1) To understand the functions and the mechanisms of the physiological processes at cellular, organismal, and system level and their regulation and functional integration through different levels of organization in living organisms including humans.
2) To understand the adaptive and homeostatic capacities of organisms, with emphasis on the nervous system and the neuroendocrine control of physiological processes underlying them.
The course will pose a solid basis for more specialized studies in neuroscience, physiopathology, behavioural physiology and psychobiology, comparative physiology, and ecophysiology.
b) LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course the students are expected to achieve the following knowledge and abilities:
Knowledge:
- Physiological processes and mechanisms in vertebrates, with ability to connect and integrate different systems and other biological disciplines
- Understand the physiological connections between systems, of the relationships between organism and environment (internal and external) mediated by physiological processes, including the basic knowledge of the the experimental approaches, also pharmacological, for the study of physiological mechanisms
Ability:
- Ability to interpret the results of physiological studies; to understand role of the physiological responses of the rganism to the social and non social environment; being able to understand the evolutionary and functional connection between anatomy, physiology, behaviour and environment. Being aware of the animal diversity of mechanisms that control the activity of the organisms.
- Ability to describe physiological issues, with the appropriate technical/scientific language, both written and spoken.
- Ability to use the acquired knowledge for understanding the physiological processes and mechanisms, from the ionic and biochemical to the organismal level. The achievement of this goal will be pursued also with group discussions on specific topics, also suggested by the students
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Code
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15301 |
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Language
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ITA |
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Type of certificate
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Profit certificate
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Credits
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9
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Scientific Disciplinary Sector Code
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BIO/09
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Contact Hours
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72
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Type of Activity
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Core compulsory activities
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Teacher
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CARERE Claudio
(syllabus)
1) Basic concepts. Homeostasis; negative and positive feedback: examples; cell metabolism and enzymatic actions.
2) Cell membranes and transport. Active and passive transport, epithelial transport; factors affecting transport; osmosis; sodium-calcium pump; membrane potential; equilibrium potential; electric, chemical, and electrochemical gradient; Nernst equation.
3) Intercellular communication. Chemical messengers: hormones, neurotransmitters, and mechanisms of signal transduction.
4) Endocrine system, glands and hormones. Endocrine organs; mechanisms of hormonal actions.
5) Nervous system physiology. Basis of neuroanatomy; the central nervous system and its organization in vertebrates. the neuron; action potential: temporal dynamic and ionic genesis; propagation of the action potential; myelin sheath and saltatory conduction. Receptors. Examples of neuropathologies and mechanisms of actions of drugs. Neurotransmission: chemical synapses and neurotransmitters. Reflexes: examples. Language; sleep; emotions; learning and memory; synaptic plasticity and molecular basis: long-term potentiation. Basics of sensoria physiology: stimuli, receptors, signal transduction and responses; nociception; vision; hearing, taste, olfaction: examples. Autonomic nervous system and its organization in vertebrates; effects on the different systems. Somatic nervous system, neuroanatomy and neuromuscular junction; neurotoxic subtances.
6) Muscular physiology. Basis of anatomy, histology and cytology of the skeletal muscle tissue. Contraction: molecular mechanisms. Sliding filament model and cross bridge cycle. Coupling of excitation-contraction coupling. Summation and tetanus. Types of muscular fibers.
7) Cardiovascular system. General anatomy, histology and morphology. The heart of mammals Cardiac cycle. ECG. Pacemaker cells and their action potential, electric activity and conduction. Ionic basis of contraction. Cardiac output. Blood vessels, hematic flow, blood pressure. Baroceptors. Regulation by the autonomic nervous system.
8) Physiology of respiration, transport and gas exchange. Anatomy of the respiratory trait. Mechanics of respiration; lung volume and capacity. Gas exchange in the lungs; blood transport of gas; hemoglobin: dissociation curve and factors of variability. Nervous control of respiration Chemoceptors.
9) Kidney physiology. Functional anatomy. The function of the kidneys. The nephrone. Filtration. Pressure gradients, regulation of the velocity of glomerular filtration; tubular reabsorption and secretion. Mechanism of the countercurrent multiplier. Regulation of the composition of the extracellular fluids. ADH and aldosterone. The renine-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Electrolyte regulation. Control of acid-base balance. Renal compensation.
10 Nutrition, digestion and absorption. Digestive system: generality. Digestion and absorption of nutrients and water. Gastrointestinal secretion and its regulation.
11) Regulation of energetic metabolism and growth. General concepts of energy balance. Pancreatic hormones: insulin and glucagon; growth hormone; thyroid hormones; glucocorticoids. Stress response. Oxidative stress. Basis of thermoregulation physiology.
12) Physiology of the reproductive system. Male system: spermatogenesis; androgens. Female system: menstrual cycle and ovulation; hormonal control; fecundation; gestation; parturition; lactation. Progesterone, oxytocine, and prolactin.
(reference books)
Stanfield Cindy L. Principles of Human Physiology, Pearson
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
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Delivery mode
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Traditional
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Attendance
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not mandatory
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Evaluation methods
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Oral exam
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