05181 - Physiology

Learning outcomes

After completing the course , the student has a basic knowledge of the human body physiological processes both in functional and molecular level . In particular , the student knows the basic mechanisms of the vital functions of certain human body systems , which required knowledge of the biological basis for the research, design and use of materials and equipment used in the health field of physics .

Course contents

1) Cell and internal environment: the cell as a unit of the organism functional systems. functional differences of cells and tissues: muscle, heart, nervous, connective. The cell cultures in vitro. Water compartments of the organism, and their composition. The concept of homeostasis. homeostatic maintenance systems.

2) ion flows through the cell membrane: passive and active transmembrane transport mechanisms. Ion channels: biophysical properties, structural and functional. The membrane receptors.

Insight: the interaction between cells and materials. The biofunctional materials and bioselective.

3) cellular bioelectric signals. bioelectric properties of all cells. The resting membrane potential. chemical-physical basis of the resting membrane potential. chemical and electrical gradients. Potential balance electrochemical Nerst. The balance according to Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz. Role of the sodium-potassium pump. bioelectric properties of excitable cells. Action potential. Genesis of the action potential. - Threshold of excitability. Ionic conductances at different stages of depolarization, repolarization and hyperpolarization. absolute and relative refractory period. Propagation of d 'action potential in myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. Functions of the sodium-potassium pump. The action potential according Hodgkin-Huxley.

Insight: leading-edge technologies in the study of ion channels.

4) General on the nervous system. Central Nervous System: anatomical and functional classification. Cells of the Nervous System. Neurons and glia. General information on the autonomic nervous system. Notes on anatomical organization and physiology of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. Activation examples of the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

5) intercellular communication in excitable and non-excitable cells

Synapses - chemical synapses. Functional anatomy of synapses. Synthesis, release and inactivation of neurotransmitters. Ionic mechanisms by 'interaction between neurotransmitters and receptors. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. temporal and spatial summation of postsynaptic potentials. electrical synapses. Connexins and junctions. neuromuscular transmission: structure and function of the neuromuscular junction. Waves of calcium and gliotrasmissione. Electroencephalogram.

The sensory receptors. Definition, function and classification of different types of receptors. Mechanism codified and transduction of stimuli. Bioelectric characteristics of the generator potential. Tonic and phasic receptors. Adaptation of the receptors. Codification of the quality, intensity and duration of the stimulus.

Insight: the cell biosensor. The organic bioelectronics. Lab-on-a-chip for point of care diagnostic.

6) Muscle tissue: skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, smooth muscle. Molecular and functional mechanism of muscle contraction. Contraction coupling excitement. muscular tetanus. Graduation of the force of muscle contraction. neuromotor units. morpho-functional differences between skeletal muscle and smooth muscle. Mechanical muscle model. Isotonic and isometric contraction.

Insight: classical techniques and cutting-edge technologies in measurement and modulation of electrophysiological muscle.

7) Organization of the cardiovascular system - General diagram of the cardiovascular system. Features of the large circle and the small circle. Special circles. Composition, size and functions of blood.

8) of the heart's electrical activity: the structure of the generation system and cardiac conduction of excitement. the specific myocardial electrical activity (nodal tissue and Purkinje fibers) and the common infarction. Origin and propagation of excitement heart. Effects of vagal and sympathetic stimulation on the electrical activity of the specific myocardium and common. temporal correlation between electrical and mechanical events of the cardiac cycle. Electrocardiogram.

9) Mechanical Heart Activities: mechanical events of the cardiac cycle: valve movements and changes in blood pressure and blood volume in the atria and ventricles. Duration of the cardiac cycle phases. cardiac and their genesis noises.

Hemodynamics - Functional characteristics of the vascular system. Innervation of the vessels. relationship between flow, pressure and resistance. pressure profile in the systemic circulation. Return of venous blood to the heart.

Insight: Bioassay for the determination of cardiotoxicity.

10) Physiology of the renal system. Members of renal function. Basic Principle of kidney physiology. glomerular filtration. Tubular secretion and resorption. Water and adjustment of the sodium. Urinary concentration and dilution. Role of the renin-angiotensin system in blood volume regulation of extracellular fluid. Factors that regulate diuresis. antidiuretic hormone role in the control of osmolarity.

Insight: biomaterials for plasmapheresis and dialysis

11) The Respiratory System: Overview on the structure and function of the respiratory system and its components. Static, dynamic and energetic ventilation. muscle and mechanical actions. respiratory system models: morphometric and functional, lumped and distributed parameters. clinic. mechanical ventilation. Interactions with the cardiovascular system. ventilation control.

Insight: Measuring methods for primary variables (volume, flow, gas pressures, and concentrations). Methods of investigation.

12) Introduction to the physiology of the sense organs. Principles to the physiology of the eye and vision. Principles of the ear and hearing physiology.

Insight: Frontier approaches to artificial retina and hearing aids.

Readings/Bibliography

Taglietti V, Casella C, Principi di Fisiologia e biofisica della cellula. La Goliardica Pavese, 2005.

Silverthon D.U., Fisiologia Umana, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, II.

Assessment methods

The confirmatory examination will be written and will address the issues raised with open questions and choice questions. The papers will be considered in-depth at the time of verification and for the overall assessment of the preparation.

Teaching tools

Taglietti V, Casella C, Fisiologia e Biofisica della cellula. EDISES

Silverthon D.U., Fisiologia Umana, Casa Editrice Pearson, II.

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Benfenati