Learning objectives
After successfully completing the course, the student will be able to:
• understand of the principles underlying regulatory systems and organ homeostasis
• explain the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the normal physiological processes of human organ systems.
• describe the relation of basic processes in general biology with more complex body processes.
• manage with simple problems related to the functions and dysfunctions of the organism using the scientific approach.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of physics, chemistry/biochemistry, histology, anatomy
Course unit content
The course of Human Physiology is designed to provide students with an understanding of the function, regulation and integration of human body organ systems. The course will present the different organ systems examining the different cellular phenomena as causal of the more complex levels of organization and how separate organs and systems coordinate to maintain homeostatic. Although the course is focused on basic principles of physiology, the presentation of pathophysiology will allow to highlight how disordered functions take part in disease processes
Full programme
CELLULAR AND GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY
Principles of Cell and membrane function. Homeostasis- maintenance of a constant internal environment.
Electrical properties of electrical membrane, properties and mechanism of gating of cell channels
NEUROMUSCULAR PHYSIOLOGY
Resting Membrane Potential. Action Potentials. Synaptic Transmission. Neurotransmission.
Skeletal and smooth muscle. Reflexes. Flexion and stretch reflexes. Muscle spindles.
The autonomic nervous system
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Cardiac muscle. Rhythmical excitation of the hearth. Electrical activity of the heart. Electrocardiography. Mechanics of the cardiac pump. Intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of heart activity. The vascular system. Blood composition and function.
RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY
Pulmonary ventilation. Pulmonary circulation. Principle of gas transfer and transport. Control of breathing. Respiratory insufficiency. Respiratory mechanisms controlling the acid-base status.
RENAL PHYSIOLOGY AND BODY FLUIDS
Renal functions: filtration, reabsorption and excretion. Concept of renal clearance. Quantification of urinary concentration and dilution. Osmolar and free water clearance. The antidiuretic hormone. Renal treatment of glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, hydrogen ions, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, organic cations and anions. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
The body fluids. Regulation of body fluids compartments and electrolyte balance. Acid-base homeostasis.
GASTROINTESTINAL PHISIOLOGY
General principles of gastrointestinal functions. Propulsion and mixing of food in the alimentary tract. Gastrointestinal secretory functions. Digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Physiology of gastrointestinal disorder.
ENDOCRINOLOGY
Introduction to endocrinology. Endocrine control mechanisms. Hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Thyroid gland. Adrenal gland. Endocrine pancreas. Endocrine regulation of calcium, phosphatase and bone homeostasis.
Bibliography
Berne & Levy Physiology, 7th Edition, ELSEVIER
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology 14th Edition, ELSEVIER
Medical Physiology: Principles for Clinical Medicine, Sixth Edition, Rodney A. Rhoades; David R. Bell, Wolters kluwer
West’s Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials, Eleventh Edition, John B. West; Andrew M. Luks, Wolters kluwer
Teaching methods
The lectures will be held in presence in compliance with prevention and safety protocols, provided that further instructions on the ongoing health emergency are not implemented. The auxiliary teaching material will be available to students on the Elly platform
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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