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 student must learn the biological and pathogenic characteristics of microorganisms that play a role in human pathology, with reference to bacteria, viruses and fungi. He must acquire appropriate knowledge on the relationships between microorganisms and host in normal and pathological conditions, identify the transmission pathways, know the characteristics, the activity, the mechanism of action and resistance of the main antimicrobial drugs and vaccines. The student must also know the main methods for the cultivation and identification of microorganisms.
The course also aims to illustrate the various methods of prevention of microbial infections and the main causes of infection related to specific professional activity.
Frontal teaching
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.
Traditional lectures, with the support of slides and educational videos of some theoretical-practical teaching topics (the films will be available on the Studium page). Students during one of the last lessons will have the opportunity to view some practical activities carried out in the laboratories of Microbiology.
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
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
EUDES LANCIOTTI - “ Microbiologia clinica” - 4° Edizione - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
All students can use didactic material downloadable from the Studium page at the following link: http://studium.unict.it/dokeos/2018/courses/11969/