Learning objectives
The course gives to students the knowledge for understanding the effect on human health of the main environmental contaminants, and the ways for exposure. It analyses the basis for individual hypersusceptibility responses. It employs practical cases taken from the international scientifica literature.
Prerequisites
none
Course unit content
Reference to knowledge of animal biology: cells, tissues, organs, apparata
Exposure to environmental contaminants
Distribution of contaminants in the human body
Elements on metabolism of contaminants: phase I, phase II, conjugation, drug metabolism
Excretion of contaminants
Role of individual hypersusceptibility in the response to contaminants
Toxicity of environmental contaminants to cell components, genotoxicity
Toxicity of environmental contaminants to systems and organs
Exampls and case studies: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, fibers and particles, animal and plant toxins
Full programme
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Bibliography
Slides used for the lectures are available in the "Materiale Didattico" on the website.
Teaching methods
The course is organised with frontal lectures, with slides to illustrate the concepts. Occasionally material from the international literature, in English, is illustrated.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam is oral or written as the student wishes. The student will develop a research in autonomy on a contaminating substance; the student will discuss its presence in the environment, the mechanisms of absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion and examples of general or specific toxicity.
Verification of Dublin descriptors:
-knowledge and application of knowledge, learning skills are verified during the discussion on the topics, based on the reply to questions or on the written essay
-communication skills are verified by the use of appropriate language and ability in expression
The basal knowledge required to pass the exam consists in correctly describing the knowledge on the adsorption mechanisms and at least one example of specific toxic effect for the contaminant of choice, without plagiarism from other sources.
Other information
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