The course aims to provide students with basic knowledge of human Physiology such as the functioning of the various organs and apparatus of the human body. At the end of the course, students will have to prove both to know the basic principles that regulate normal and integrate functions among different human organs, as to have a good proficiency of general and more specific scientific terms.
General knowledge on the molecular basis of life, from the fundamental chemical properties of the substances, the structure and function of macromolecules involved in life processes, both at the cellular and extracellular level, the metabolic transformations of biomolecules necessary for the human body function. In addition, students will know the significance of the variations of the main metabolic pathways in various physiological and pathological contexts, particularly with regard to diseases of the myocardium and blood vessels.
The course aims to provide a preparation in Applied Biology suitable for understanding the basic notions of modern Cellular and Molecular Biology with hints of Molecular Genetics. At the end of the module, the student will acquire the basic notions on the morphology and function of cellular systems, as well as on the mechanisms underlying the inheritance of characters and the flow of genetic information contained in the latter. Learning these concepts will therefore make clear to the student the mechanisms of transition from the genotype to the molecular and cellular phenotype, both in physiological and pathological conditions.
Frontal teaching. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Font lessons, with the support of slides and audiovisual tools. At the end of each lesson is given ample space to the comment of the topics covered.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Frontal lessons.
If the teaching will be given in a mixed or remote way, the necessary changes may be introduced with respect to what was previously stated, in order to respect the program envisaged and reported in the syllabus.
Cell membranes Mechanisms of transport and ion channels
Nervous system General organizzation of the central, peripheral and vegetative nervous system. Properties of excitable membranes: potential of membrane and potential of action.
Muscles Organization of skeletal muscles. Excitation-Contraction Coupling, single muscle twitch and tetanus. Smooth muscle: generalities,
Synaptic transmission Neuromuscular and central synapses. Neurotransmtters.
Cardiovascular System Properties of cardiac muscle. Aspecific and specific myocardium. Mechanic and electrical cardiac cycles. Coronary circulation. Vascular system: caracteristics of blood and blood vessels. Physical factors affecting blood flow. Laminar and urbulent blood flow. Laplace's law applied to vessels. Capillary changes. Functions of veins. Control of heart rate and blood pressure.
Respiratory system Upper and lower airways. Mechanism of Breathing. Alveolar ventilation. Surfactant. Spirometry. Basic mechanism of gas exchanges among lungs, blood and tissues. Carriage of the respiratory gas in the blood.
Urinary system Kidney homeostatic functions; kidney mechanisms: glomerular filtration; tubular absorption and secretion. Renal regulation of water, electrolyte and pH balance.
Digestive system: Basic principles on motor,secretory and absorbent activities
As requested prerequisite, general knowledge on the structure and function of the main biological macromolecules and on cellular informational metabolism is mandatory.
The course will develop as follows:
1) Introduction to the course: the eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell;
2) Organic macromolecules: proteins;
3) Organic macromolecules: nucleic acids;
4) DNA, chromatin and chromosomes;
5) Structure and function of genes;
6) Transcription in eukaryotes and prokaryotes;
7) Translation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes;
8) DNA duplication in eukaryotes and prokaryotes;
9) Mitosis and Meiosis;
10) Point mutations and chromosomal aberrations;
11) The Cell Membrane: structure and transport mechanisms;
12) Oncogenes, Oncosuppressants and Cancer;
1) “FISIOLOGIA DELL’UOMO” a cura di F. Conti Casa Editrice Edi- Ermes
2) GANONG “FISIOLOGIA MEDICA” Casa Editrice Piccin
3) L.S. COSTANZO "FISIOLOGIA" Casa Editrice Edra
The student can choose any updated book on Human Physiology as long as in the examination he proves to have the knowledge required to pass the test
Text 1. Biologia e Genetica. G. De Leo, S. Fasano, E. Ginelli. Ed. EdiSES
Text 2. Fondamenti di biologia e genetica. Riccardo Pierantoni, Gilda Cobellis, Rosaria Meccariello. Ed. EdiSES
Text 3. Elementi di biologia e genetica. David Sadava,David M. Hillis,H. Craig Heller. Ed. Zanichelli