The course aims to provide the student with the knowledge of the functioning of organs and systems of the human body and to analyze the homeostatic control mechanisms. Students will acquire the capability to describe the cardiovascular, respiratory, function and physiology, digestive, kidneys and their integrations.
At the end of the course the student knows the basic functional mechanisms of cellular excitability and synaptic trasmission - He is able to describe the basic functioning of muscular, nervous and endocrine systems and their dinamical integration to regulate visceral and relational organizations of human organism- He is able to evaluate the main functional parameters in relation to nervous and endocrine activities, with particular attention to the control of muscular contraction.
Frontal Lessons. 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.
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.
Introduction to physiology
Cardiovascular
Heart and blood vessels function and physiology
The heart and mechanical cycle - electrical phenomena - circle and its regulation
Blood vessels and cardiovascular control - The blood
Pressure - Volume - Flow - Resistance
Respiratory and gas exchange
Respiratory system function and physiology
Airways and alveoli - mechanics of breathing
Transport and diffusion of gases
Control of ventilation and alveolar blood flow
Kidneys function and physiology
The nephron structure and functions
Hydro-electrolytic homeostasis - Control of osmolarity and volume
Excretion and clearance - Urination
Functioning of the pressure, hydro-electrolytic and pH control mechanisms
Digestive system function and physiology
Operation and stages of digestion
Oral cavity, stomach functions and intestinal secretions
Movements and absorption
Human nutrition
The constituents of living matter
Energy balance and homeostatic control
Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral
Physiological mechanisms of body temperature regulation
Thermogenesis - body temperature and metabolic adaptations
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM Pituitary gland. Hypothalamic control. Thyroid. Calcium homeostasis: calcitonin and parathyroid
hormones. Adrenal gland
Gonads and reproductive system. Endocrine pancreas. Glucose homeostasis. Gastrointestinal hormones
NERVOUS SYSTEM Neuronal excitability. Membrane potential. Action potential. Propagation of the action potential.
Chemical and electrical synapses. Neurotransmitters. The neuromuscular junction
SENSITIVE FUNCTION Sensory receptors. Organization of the sensory systems. Sense of touch, pain and
temperature. The thalamus and the cerebral cortex. Physiology of vision and hearing.
MOTOR FUNCTIONS Hierarchical organization of motor systems. Spinal mechanisms of motor coordination: reflex
actions. Postural control and vestibular reflexes. The cerebellum, the basal ganglia. Organization of cortical areas
involved in voluntary movement.
HIGHER NERVOUS ACTIVITY Behavior, consciousness and language. Memory and learning. Conditioned reflexes.
Sleep-wake cycle. The electroencephalogram.
VEGETATIVE NERVOUS SYSTEM Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The hypothalamus. The limbic system.
MUSCULAR SYSTEM. Muscle cells. The sarcomere. Main properties of muscle contraction. Energy metabolism for
muscular work. The motor units
- Human Physiology. Silverthorn - Ed. Pearson
Fisiologia umana, Autori vari, edi ermes, 2019
Fisiologia umana, D.U Silverthorn, Pearson Italia, 2020