66620 - Physiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will have basic knowledge of cell physiology and functions of organs and systems of the human body. He also learn the mechanisms of control of vegetative functions, as well as the neurophysiological elements of behavior and sensory interactions between man and environment.

Course contents

• Nervous cells: Transmembrane Ion-channels. Physical bases of resting membrane potential. Action-potential and its propagation. Synaptic transmission. Mechanisms of signal trasduction in sensitive receptors. Neural coding of stimuli.
• Muscle cells: Functional features of smooth and skeletal-muscle fibers. Neuromuscular transmission. Excitation-contraction coupling. Molecular mechanism of the contraction. Grading of strength of muscle contraction.
• Cardiac-muscle cells: Functional features of sinoatrial-nodal cells and atrioventricular-nodal cells. Functional features of cardiac conducting myofibers and non-conducting-system (common myocardium).
• Nervous system: Peripheral and central nervous system. Reflex arc. Higher control of the reflex activity. Somatic and motor systems. Autonomic nervous system. Effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimolation on different organs.
• Cardiovascular system: Characteristics and functions of the great and small circulation. Characteristics and functions of vascular network. Mechanical activity of the heart. Regulation of stroke volume. Regulation of the arterial blood pressure.
• Respiratory system: Mechanics of the pulmonary ventilation. Exchanges of gases in lungs and tissues. Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood. Regulation of the respiratory activity.
• Renal system: Glomerular filtration. Tubular reabsorptions and secretions. Regulation of water and inorganic-ion balance and diuresis. Regulation of acid-base balance.

Readings/Bibliography

Book suggested:

VANDER FISIOLOGIA. Widmaier Eric P., Raff Hershel, Strang Kevin T.; Ambrosiana Editori, 2018

FISIOLOGIA dalle molecole ai sistemi integrati. Carbone, Cicirata & Aicardi et al., EdiSES 2018.

Other:
Fisiologia, Cindy Stanfield. EdiSES 2017.
Fisiologia medica. Guyton & Hall, Edra Ed., XIII edizione italiana, 2016

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Assessment methods

  Oral exam, with 2 questions about 2 program topics. Students have to demonstrate a sufficient preparation in both questions to pass the exam. The exam will evaluate if the student has reached the aims of the course: basic notions of the cellular physiology, of the functions of human organs and systems, of the vegetative functions, of the neurophysiological bases of behavior, of the sensorial interactions between humans and the environment, of the endocrinological functions. Students that will demonstrate to know the logical links between the topics of the course contents and to use an appropriate register will be evaluated with excellent scores. For students of previous courses in which the module of Physiology was integrated with other modules (Anatomy and Histology), the overcoming of integrated modules is a necessary condition to do the examination of Physiology.

Teaching tools

Video projections of Power Point presentations

Office hours

See the website of Michela Gamberini