35289 - Veterinary Physiology I

Academic Year 2011/2012

  • Docente: Carlo Tamanini
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: VET/02
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Veterinary Medicine (cod. 8206)

Learning outcomes

This course is aimed at giving the students a detailed knowledge about the main mechanisms regulating both cell function and intercellular comunication.

Course contents

The blood. Composition of both plasma and interstitial fluids. Mechanisms regulating pH; alcalosis, acidosis. Plasma proteins: origin, functions. Haemostasis. Erythrocytes: their production and destruction. Haemoglobin: synthesis, metabolism, functions. Leukocytes. Physiological basis of immunity.

The nervous system. Neuron and its excitability. Membrane potential, voltage-dependent ion channels. Action potential and its conducibility in myelinated and unmyelinated fibres. Synapsis. Neurotransmitters. Receptors and receptor potential. The reflex; spinal reflexes. The spinal cord. The sensitive cortex. The control of motor activity. Proprioceptivity, the cerebellum. Regulation of muscle tone. Hypothalamus and pituitary. The autonomic nervous system: distribution and organization.

The gastrointestinal tract. Digestive strategies in domestic species. Regulation of appetite. Prehension, mastication. Salivary secretion; composition and functions of saliva. The stomach; contraction and secretions. The pancreas and the liver. Digestion and absorption in small intestine. The large intestine. The forestomach; contractions of the reticulum and rumen and their regulation. Rumination, eructation. Microorganisms in the rumen; metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the forestomach. Absorption from the forestomach.

Readings/Bibliography

Fisiologia degli animali domestici con elementi di etologia. Aguggini G., Beghelli V., Giulio L.F.,  Eds. UTET, Torino (1998).

Fisiologia degli Animali Domestici, Edizione italiana del Duke's Physiology coordinata da F. Chiesa. Ed. Idelson-Gnocchi (2002)

Fisiologia Medica, Guyton A.C., Ed. EdiSES, Napoli

Teaching methods

Theoretical lessons, seminars, practical activity.

Assessment methods

In itinere exams, final oral or written exam; if this last is the case, the student is informed at the beginning of the course.

Teaching tools

Projector, slides, transparencies, laboratory, informatic laboratory.

Materiale didattico

Links to further information

http://Videoproiettore, lavagna luminosa, laboratori, laboratorio informatico.

Office hours

See the website of Carlo Tamanini