Learning objectives
1. To know and understand the molecular, cellular and tissue
mechanisms underlying the vital functions that characterize
a complex organism.
2. To describe clearly and with appropriate terminology a cellular function.
Prerequisites
Physics, Biochemistry
Course unit content
Major contents are related to the analysis of:
1) Molecular mechanisms underlying the functions of animal cells that constitute a complex living organism.
2) Functions common to all cell types as well as functions of specific cell phenotypes (epithelial cells,
muscle cells, neurons).
Full programme
PART I:
Priciples of cell physiology; cell membrane structure; transmembrane
transport of molecules, ions and water; epithelial cells and trans-epithelial
transports.
PART II:
ion fluxes and transmembrane potentials; 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; transmission of sensory information.
PART V: Excitable cells (muscle cells: skeletal cells, cardiac cells and smooth
muscle cells).
Structural properties; electrophysiological properties; excitation-contraction coupling; molecular mechanism of contraction;
intrinsic and neural modulation of contraction.
Bibliography
1. Dee Unglaub Silverthorn: Fisiologia
umana. Un approccio integrato. Pearson Italia S.p.A. (Last Edition)
2. Robert M. Berne e Matthew N. Levy: FISIOLOGIA - Casa Editrice
Ambrosiana - (last edition)
Teaching methods
Oral interactive lessons, supported by iconographic material. Slides will
be made availble to the students every week in Elly platform. Lessons will
present the main conceptual frame of each subject, summoning
questions or doubts from the audience and indicating bibliographic
references for in-depth study of the different topics.
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 three open questions on definite topics. To pass the exam the student must achieve a sufficient
evaluation (18/30) in each 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
thirties: 30/30 with praise.
B. Good knowledge and understanding of the subject. Good ability to
apply knowledge. Mastery of terminology. Vote in thirties: 27-29.
C. Discreet knowledge and understanding of the subject. Capacity to
apply knowledge and discreet mastery of specific terminology. Vote
thirties: 24-26.
D. Knowledge and understanding of the subject are fully sufficient.
Discreet capacity to apply knowledge. Vote in thirties: 21-23.
E. Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the argument with
shortcomings. Low capacity of application of knowledge and poor
mastery of terminology. Vote thirties: 18-20.
Other information
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