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05181 - Physiology

Academic Year 2026/2027

                
                        Docente:
                        Stefano Ferroni
                    
                        Credits:
                        6
                    
                        SSD:
                        BIOS-06/A
                    
                        Language:
                        Italian
                    
                        Teaching Mode:
                        In-person learning (entirely or partially)
                        
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            First cycle degree programme (L) in
                            Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (cod. 6635)

                                Also valid for
                                
                                    First cycle degree programme (L) in
                                    
                                        Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (cod. 6635)
                                    
                                    Course Timetable
                                
from Oct 08, 2026 to Jan 12, 2027

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have acquired the basic information on organ and apparatus physiology, and on relevant aspects of the functional mechanisms of nutrition

Course contents

CELL PHYSIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE EXCITABLE TISSUES (24 hours, TA + TE students)

Functional systems of the human body. The cell as functional unit of the human body. Principles of body homeostasis. Compositions of the intra and extracellular milieus. Transport mechanisms through the plasma membrane.

Nervous system. Functional organization of the nervous tissue. Cell types of the nervous tissue. Communication mechanisms in the nervous tissue. Functional organization of the nervous system. Functional mechanisms of the central and peripheral nervous systems

Muscular system. Functional anatomy of the skeletal and smooth muscles. Excitation-contraction coupling of the skeletal and smooth muscles

SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGY (24 hours)

FOR TA STUDENTS

Endocrine system. Functional organization of the endocrine system. Hormone classification. Hormone action mechanisms. Regulatory mechanisms of hormone secretion

Respiratory system. Functional organization of the respiratory system. Pulmonary ventilation. Transport mechanisms of the biological gasses in the blood. Regulatory mechanisms of the respiration

Digestive system. Functional organization of digestive system. General principles of digestive processses. Hormonal and nervous control of digestive processes. Energetic metabolism. Basal metabolism and its regulation. Mechanisms of thermoregulation.

FOR TE STUDENTS

Cardiovascular system. Functional organization of the cardiovascular system. Mechanic activity of the heart and its regulation. Functional anatomy of the circulatory system. Regulatory mechanisms of the blood pressure

Urinary system. Functional organization of the urinary system. Process of urine production. Hormonal and nervous mechanisms controlling diuresis

Immune system. Functional anatomy of immune system. Cells of immune system. Innate immune response. Adaptative immune response. Antibody response. Integrate immune response

Readings/Bibliography

Silverthorn - Human physiology: an integrated approach
Seventh edition; Pearson editor

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Assessment methods

The verification of the learning ability will be assessed only through a final oral exam. The exam will consist of a question on one of the arguments of the proposed learning program

Teaching tools

power point presentation

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Ferroni