- Docente: Stefano Ferroni
- Credits: 12
- SSD: BIO/09
- Language: Italian
- Moduli: Marco Caprini (Modulo 1) Barbara Monti (Modulo 2) Stefano Ferroni (Modulo 3)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2) Traditional lectures (Modulo 3)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Pharmacy (cod. 9219)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will have the knowledge of the basic principles of the cell physiology of the excitable tissues and of the integrative mechanisms of body functions in humans. He will also be able to describe the physiology of organs and functional systems of the human body. Attending specific seminars, the student will acquire complementary information on some of the topics covered during the classes
Course contents
CELL PHYSIOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE EXCITABLE TISSUES
Cell physiology. 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 tissue. Functional organization of the nervous tissue. Cell types of the nervous tissue. Functional properties of neuronal cells. Communication mechanisms in the nervous tissue
Muscular tissue. Functional anatomy of the skeletal and smooth muscles. Molecular basis of contraction in skeletal and smooth muscles. Excitation-contraction coupling. Modulatory mechanisms of muscular strength in skeletal and smooth muscles
INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
Nervous system. Organization of the nervous system. Functional processes of central and peripheral nervous system. Functional mechanisms of sensory systems. Control mechanisms of body movement
Endocrine system. Organization of the endocrine system. Classification of hormones. Action mechanisms of hormones. Control mechanisms of hormone secretion. Endocrine control of growth.
Immune system. Anatomy of the immune system. Innate and acquired immunity. Immune response pathways. Neuro-endocrine interactions in the immune response
SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGYCardiovascular system. Functional organization of the cardiovascular system, Electrical and mechanical functions of the hearth. Regulatory mechanisms of cardiac activity. Blood composition. Functional processes of the circulatory system. Short and long-term regulations of blood pressure
Respiratory system. Functional organization of the respiratory system. Mechanics of pulmonary ventilation. Mechanisms of regulation of pulmonary ventilation. Mechanisms of transport of biological gasses in the blood.
Urinary system. Functional organization of urinary system. Process of urinary production. Regulatory mechanisms of hydro-saline and acid-base homeostasis. Hormonal regulation of the diuresis.
Digestive system. Functional organization of the digestive system. Functional processes in macronutrients digestion. Absorption of micronutrients. Nervous and hormonal control of water and food intake.
Metabolism and energetic balance. Regulatory principles of body metabolism. Caloric balance and nutritional need. Endocrine control of metabolism. Thermoregulatory mechanisms
Reproductive system. Functional organization of male and female reproductive systems. Process of spermatogenesis and oogenesis and their hormonal regulation. Conception, pregnancy, delivery
Readings/Bibliography
Silverthorn DU - Fisiologia Umana: un approccio integrato. Ed Pearson (settima edizione)
Teaching methods
The course is organized in 3 teaching modules in which the classes cover various topics of the human physiology
Module 1: Cell physiology and physiology of excitable tissues (24 hours)
Principles of cell physiology
Cell physiology of the nervous system
Cell physiology of the skeletal and smooth muscle tissues
Module 2: Integrative physiology (24 hours)
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Immune system
Module 3: System physiology (44 hours)
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Urinary system
Digestive system
Reproductive system
In addition 12 hours will be devoted to specific seminars on topics related to the teaching program
Assessment methods
The final evaluation of the student will be assessed with a written dissertation consisting of open questions on 3 topics of the program (1 for each module). In addition, to increase her/his mark the student can go through an oral examination consisting of two questions, one on module 1 and 2 and one on module 3
To register for the final exam the student must use the web page AlmaEsami of the Unibo portal
Teaching tools
During the classes powerpoint presentations will be used. All the material used will be uploaded on the Unibo portal
Powerpoint presentations are conceived to be solely an introduction to the textbook learning
Office hours
See the website of Stefano Ferroni
See the website of Marco Caprini
See the website of Barbara Monti