Learning objectives
1. Knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms underlying the human neural control of behavioral, autonomic and emotional responses to sensory stimuli.
2. To aquire theoretical and technical competence for (i) evaluating the nervous system modulatory action on the different functions characterizing a complex living organism, and (ii) analyzing the mechanisms underlying the alterations in the nervous system control.
3. to acquire the capacity of describing clearly and with appropriate terminology the nervous system control.
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
General Physiology, Histology and Human Anatomy
Course unit content
- Organization of the human nervous system.
- Sensory systems
- motor system (spinal and central control of the movement)
- autonomic nervous system and its central control
- cerebral cortex (structure and function)
Full programme
1. Introduction to the nervous system organization
2. Neuron action potential: origin, propagation and synaptic transmission
3. Sensory systems: sensory receptors, transduction mechanisms, generator potentials and frequency coding in the CNS. Major afferent pathways; subcortical and cortical regions, and information processing.
- somatosensory system
- special sensory systems: auditory and vestibular systems, visual system, chemical sensory systems (olfactory and taste systems)
4. Motor system and organization of motor function (spinal and central control of the movement)
5. Autonomic Nervous System and its central control
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: Lessons on the basic functional properties of the human nervous system.
One CFU will be used to provide methodological knowledge for measuring the functional efficiency of the central and peripheral nervous system.
Lecture contents will be available in the website of the course together with self-evaluation tests (PDF files).
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 (20-23).
(e) Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the argument with
shortcomings. Low capacity of application of knowledge and poor
mastery of terminology
(18-19).
Other information
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