Learning objectives
1. Knowledge and understanding of the molecular, cellular and tissue mechanisms underlying the vital functions which characterize
a complex organism.
2. To acquire the ability to
describe clearly and with appropriate terminology a cellular function.
3. To acquire the methodological skills relevant to the measurement of
functional parameters in different cell types (neurons, muscle cells, epithelial cells).
4. to acquire the ability, thanks to the theoretical and practical knowledge, to plan an experiment for measuring functional parameters
and interpreting the results critically (individually and in groups).
Prerequisites
Physics, Biochemistry
Course unit content
Major contents are related to: molecular mechanisms underlying the most important funtions of animal cells which constitute a complex living organism. Functions common to
all cell types as well as specific cell phenotypes (epithelial cells,
muscle cells, neurons).
Full programme
PART I: a)Priciples of cell physiology - cell membrane structure - transmembrane
transport of molecules, ions and water - epithelial tissues and
trans-epithelial transports.
PART II: a) ion fluxes and transmembrane potentials b) passive electrical properties of cell membrane. PART III: Excitable cells (neurons) - neuron structural properties - electrical
messages (local potentials and action potentials) - action potential
propagation - synaptic transmission. PART IV: Sensory receptors: morpho-functional properties - transduction and coding processes.
PART V: Excitable cells (muscle cells:
skeletal cells, cardiac cells and smooth muscle cells) - structure -
electrophysiological properties - Excitation-contraction coupling -
molecular mechanism of contraction and modulatory mechanisms
Bibliography
1.Robert M. Berne e Matthew N. Levy: FISIOLOGIA - Casa Editrice
Ambrosiana - (last edition)
2. Dee Unglaub Silverthorn:Fisiologia
umana. Un approccio integrato. Pearson Italia S.p.A. (Last Edition)
3. Carbone E, Aicardi G, Maggi R: Fisiologia: dalle molecole ai sistemi integrati - EdiSES (II Edition-2018)
4. Widmaier EP, Raff H, Strang KT: Vander Fisiologia - Casa editrice Ambrosiana (II edition-2018)
Teaching methods
- Lectures. Description of basic cellular functional properties: (1) common
to all cell types constituting a complex living organism, and (2) specific of
excitable cells (neurons, skeletal-cardiac-smooth muscle cells) and
epithelial cells.
- 1 CFU will be devoted to provide technical knowledge (methodology and instrumentation) for (i) measuring cellular functional
parameters, and (ii) processing functional data.
- Lecture contents will be
available in the website of the course together with self-evaluation tests.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final evaluation will be carried out by means of a written test lasting 2 hours. The written test will consist of one open question on a specific topic of the course and 2 multiple choice tests.
To pass the exam the student must achieve a sufficient evaluation in the first open question.
The final evaluation will be made on the basis of the criteria described below:
(a) Excellent knowledge and understanding of the topic and mastery of specific terminology. Excellent capacity to apply knowledge. Vote in thirtieths: 30/30 with praise.
b) Good knowledge and understanding of the subject. Good ability to apply knowledge. Mastery of terminology (27-29).
c) Discreet knowledge and understanding of the subject. Capacity to apply knowledge. Discreet
mastery of specific terminology (24-26).
(d) Knowledge and understanding of the subject are fully sufficient. Discreet capacity to apply knowledge (21-23).
(e) Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the argument with shortcomings. Low capacity of application of knowledge and poor mastery of terminology
(18-20).
Other information
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