FISIOLOGIA
(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 |
Language
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ITA |
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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Costantini David
(syllabus)
History of physiology; adaptation and phenotypic plasticity; experimental design; cell structure; cell membrane receptors; diffusion and osmosis; active transport; homeostasis; feedback concept; electrophysiology and action potential; energy and metabolism; oxidative stress; physiology of stress and glucocorticoids; principles of immunology; neuron; propagation of nerve impulses; synapses; central and peripheral nervous system; autonomic nervous system; muscle physiology; cardiovascular system; respiratory system; digestive system and nutrition; endocrine system (glands and hormones); thermal relationships; gas exchanges; osmoregulation; physiological regulation of migratory behaviour; orientation; physiology of reproduction; physiology and life-history; principles of ecophysiology and conservation physiology (captive breeding programs, land-use change, global warming); physiological consequences of exposure to chemical and non-chemical pollutants (noise and light pollution); physiology of growth and development; physiological basis of sexual and social signals.
(reference books)
In italian: POLI et al., FISIOLOGIA ANIMALE, EdiSES STANFIELD, FISIOLOGIA, EdiSES
In english: HILL et al., ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY, Sinauer Associates WILLMER et al., ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY OF ANIMALS, Wiley-Blackwell BUTLER et al., ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY, AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE, OUP Oxford MOYES and SCHULTE, PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY, Pearson
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Dates of beginning and end of teaching activities
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From to |
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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