05181 - Physiology

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is topermit the studentsto acquire the basic knowledge in cell physiology and functional processes of organs and apparatus of human body which are more relevant to the general scope of a biomedical engineering degree.

Course contents

Cell and Tissue. The cell as functional unit of functional systems. Tissues.

Membrane dinamics - Functional and structural characteristics of the plasma membrane. Selective permeability through the cellular membrane: diffusion, transport mediate, active and passive, vesicular transport. Examples of transport through an epithelium. Osmosis and tonicity.

Cell to cell signaling, integration of cell signaling and signal transduction - Membrane receptors. Membrane ion channels: structure and selectivity. Stimuli of ion channel gating: elctrical, chemical and mechanosensation. Signal transduction.

Resting membrane potential. Physical and chemical basis of resting membrane potential. Chemical and electrical gradients. Electrochemical equilibrium. Role of the sodium-potassium pump.

Nervous System - Cells of the nervous system and their function. Functional organization of the neuron Bioelectrical properties of the excitable cells. Action potential. Genesis of the action potential. Threshold of excitability. Ionic fluxes during depolarization, repolarization and hyperpolarization. Absolute and relative refractory periods. Propagation of the action potential in myelinated and non- myelinated fibres.

Communication in the nervous system - Electrical synapsis. Chemical synapsis. Functional anatomy of synapsis. Synthesis, liberation and inactivation of neurotransmitters. Ionic mechanisms underlying ligand-receptor interaction. Excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic potentials. Temporal and spatial summation of post-synaptic potentials.

Sensory mechanisms - Fundamentals of transduction mechanisms in sensory cells. Somatic senses. Chemical senses

Central Nervous System- General signs on the anatomical and functional organization.

Autonomous Nervous System - Anatomical and functional organization of the autonomous nervous system. Chemical mediators.

Peripheral Somatic Nervous System - Organization of the somatic nervous system. Sensitive neurons, motor and interneurons. Reflex arch. Cephalic control of reflex activity.

Muscular System - Skeletal muscle: functional anatomy of skeletal muscle. Molecular basis of contraction. Excitation-contraction coupling. Bioenergetics of contraction. Graduation of muscle contraction. Neuromotor unit. Neuromuscular transmission: structure and function of the neuromuscular junction. Smooth muscle: functional anatomy of unitary and multiunitary smooth muscle. Electrical properties of smooth muscle fibres. Basal rhythm of electrical activity.Molecular basis of contraction. Excitation-contraction coupling. Hormonal and neuronal modulation of muscular contraction. Neuromuscular transmission. Cardiac muscle.

Cardiovascular System. Functional anatomy of the cardiovascular system. Characteristics of pulmonary and systemic circulation. Composition, volume and functions of the blood.

Electrical activity of the heart. Structure of the system of generation and conduction of the cardiac excitement. Electric activity of the nodal tissue and Purkinje. Effects of the vagal stimulation on the electrical activity of the specific and common myocardium. Integration between electrical and mechanical events of the cardiac cycle.

Mechanical activity of the heart. The heart as pump. Anatomical structure of the heart muscle. Mechanical events of cardiac cycle. Dynamics of pressure and valve activities in the heart. Phase duration of the cardiac cycle. Cardiac noises and genesis.

Emodynamics. Functional anatomyof blood vessels. Vessel innervation. Relationship between flux, pressure and resistance in the cardiovascular system. Pressure profile in systemic circulation. Return of the venous blood to the heart.

Pulmonary System- Anatomy of the lungs. Mechanisms of respiration. Properties of gases. Gas exchanges in the lungs. Pulmonary circulation.Gas transports between the lungs and the tissues: Oxygen transport. Carbon dioxide transport. Regulation of respiration. Neural control of breathing. Regulation of respiratory activity. Chemical control of breathing.Neurochemical influence on respiration. Hypoxic hypoxia and other form of hypoxia.

Renal System- Functional anatomy. Renal circulation. Glomerular filtration. Tubular function. Mechanisms of water excretion and absorption. Acidification of the urine and bicarbonate excretion. Regulation of Na+ and Cl- excretion. Regulation of K+ excretion. Regulation of Ca+ excretion. Regulation of HPO4-- excretion.

Regulation of homeostasis- Extracellular fluid composition and volume. Defense of tonicity and volume. Defense of specific ionic composition and hydrogen ions concentration. Regulation of aldosterone secretion. The renin-angiotensin system. Natriuretic factors.

Gastrointestinal System- Functional anatomy. Mouth and esophagus. Stomach. Exocrine portion of pancreas. Liver and biliar system. Small intestine and colon. Digestion and absorption: Adsorption of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids. Water and electrolytes. Adsorption of vitamins and minerals.

Endocrine System- Chemical structures of hormones and principal mechanisms of activity. Activity of principal glands: Pituitary gland. Thyroid gland. Endocrine function of pancreas.

Readings/Bibliography

Official text book:

SILVERTHORN D.U., Fisiologia umana , Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, III edizione 2007.

Other books:

SILVERTHORN D.U., Fisiologia umana , Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, II edizione 2005.
GERMANN WILLIAM J., STANFIELD CINDY L., Fisiologia umana, EdiSES, I edizione 2004.
GUYTON A.C., Neuroscienze. Basi di neuroanatomia e neurofisiologia, Piccin Nuova Libraria, II edizione1996.

TAGLIETTI V, CASELLA C., Principi di fisiologia e biofisica della cellula, La Goliardica Pavese, 2005

Teaching methods

Power point presentation

Assessment methods

Oral examination

Teaching tools

PC and Power point presentation

Office hours

See the website of Marco Caprini

See the website of Rosa Domeniconi