- Docente: Davide Martelli
- Credits: 3
- SSD: BIO/09
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Medicine and Surgery (cod. 9210)
Learning outcomes
Understand the importance of the integration of physiological processes from the molecular level to complex systems. Describe the functional properties of the kidney, and the mechanisms of filtration, absorption and secretion. Discuss the mechanisms involved in fluid and salt homestasis, acid-base balance, and their adaptation to different physiological states. Identify reproductive hormones and describe the function of male and female reproductive systems. Describe the principles of growth and body development.
Course contents
Genito-urinary System
Functions of the renal glomerulus
Plasma and renal blood flow. Ultrafiltration process. Glomerular ultrafiltration rate: clearance of inulin; plasma creatinine. Filtration fraction. Autoregulation of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate.
Functions of the renal tubule
Absorption and secretion in the nephron. Reabsorption of sodium chloride and water. Control of renal potassium homeostasis. Renal clearance.
Regulation of body fluid osmolality
Fluid compartments of the body. Neurohypophyseal secretion of antidiuretic hormone. Renal mechanisms for concentration and dilution of urine. Osmolar clearance and free-water clearance.
Regulation of body fluids volume
Fluid compartments of the body. Effective circulating volume. Regulation of renal excretion of water and sodium chloride. Mechanisms of regulation of extracellular fluid volume: volume receptors; actions of the sympathetic nervous system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and natriuretic peptides.
Regulation of acid-base balance
Concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood and blood buffer systems. Tubular transport of hydrogen ions and bicarbonate. Formation of ammonium ions. Kidney and respiratory responses to changes in acid-base balance. Primary acid-base alterations: acidosis and alkalosis of respiratory and metabolic origin; compensatory responses to primary acid-base alterations.
Genital system
The ovaries: oogenesis and ovulation, corpus luteum formation secretion and actions of estrogen and progesterone; the menstrual cycle. The testicles: spermatogenesis, secretion and actions of androgens.
Readings/Bibliography
Berne & Levy Physiology - 7th Edition - Elsevier
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures
Attendance to learning activities is mandatory; the minimum attendance requirement to be admitted to the final exam is 66% of lessons. For Integrated Courses (IC), the 66% attendance requirement refers to the total amount of I.C. lessons. Students who fail to meet the minimum attendance requirement will not be admitted to the final exam of the course, and will have to attend relevant classes again during the next academic year.
Professors may authorise excused absences upon receipt of proper justifying documentation, in case of illness or serious reasons. Excused absences do not count against a student’s attendance record to determine their minimum attendance requirement.
Assessment methods
The final test will be divided in two modules:
1 Physiology module: two essay questions (written test).
2 Anatomy module + Laboratory: Oral interview (few days after the first module).
Office hours
See the website of Davide Martelli