Learning objectives
The student will have to demonstrate knowledge and understanding (1st Dublin descriptor) of the basic principles of Physiology. The course aims to provide students with a good understanding of:
1. Mechanisms for basic operation of the human body under physiological conditions,
2. Homeostatic mechanisms that allow adjusting and adapting the activity of organs and systems to the demands of the environment.
The student shall be able to learn the principles of Physiology (5th Dublin descriptor), apply the acquired knowledge to the human body (2nd Dublin descriptor), must be able to independently assess simple physiological problems (3rd Dublin descriptor), and be able to communicate them (4th Dublin descriptor).
Prerequisites
Knowledge of human anatomy, chemistry and physics as the lessons learned in previous courses
Course unit content
The first part of the course covers cell physiology.
The second part of the course is devoted to the organ and system physiology.
The third part of the course is devoted to integrative physiology, with particular reference to the nervous system.
General Physiology
Biological membranes. Ion channels. Nernst equation. Membrane potential. Action potential. Conduction of potential. Synapses and neurotransmitters. Neuromodulators. Synaptic circuits.
Skeletal muscle. Contraction. Stress / length and speed / load curves.
Smooth muscle.
Heart: Cardiac action potentials. Electrocardiogram. Cardiac mechanics. Regulation of cardiac contraction. Blood pressure. Blood.
Respiratory mechanics. Compliance. Capillary exchanges. Nervous control of breathing.
Kidney. Filtration, absorption and secretion. Renal clearance.
Regulation of pH and electrolyte balance.
GI tract: motility, secretion, digestion and absorption. Endocrinology. Neurophysiology
Sensory Systems: Vision. Hearing. Somatosensory systems. Pain perception and modulation.
Motor control. Reflexes.
Autonomic nervous system: sympathetic and parasympathetic.
Hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Full programme
Blood.
Heart.
Circulation and blood pressure. Smooth muscle. Lymphatic system. Special circulatory districts. Respiratory function. Kidney.
GI tract and its functions. Hormones.
Nerve cell functions. Membrane potential. Synapses. Reflexes. Sensory systems. Sleep. Homeostasis. Autonomous nervous system. Hypothalamus-hypophysis.
Skeletal muscle. Contraction. Stress / length and speed / load curves. Smooth muscle.
Heart: Cardiac action potentials. Electrocardiogram. Cardiac mechanics. Regulation of cardiac contraction. Blood pressure. Blood.
Respiratory mechanics. Compliance. Capillary exchanges. Nervous control of breathing.
Kidney. Filtration, absorption and secretion. Renal clearance.
Regulation of pH and electrolyte balance.
Gastroenteric system: motility, secretion and absorption.
Physiology the Nervous System
Functional properties of nervous cells: ionic channels, resting membrane potential and action potential. Mechanisms of synaptic transmission: neurotransmitters and receptors. Neuromuscular synapse. Spinal reflex: stretch reflex and flexor reflex. Sensory systems. Sensory transduction. Somatic system: anatomic and functional organization. Auditory function. Pain. Fundamental organization of Cerebral cortex. Somatic cortices. Fundamental concepts in visual physiology. Motor systems. Basal ganglia. The primary motor cortex. Cortical pathways to motor neurons. Neurophysiology of Sleep.Functional organization of the Autonomic nervous System. Sympathetic Division, Parasympathetic Division and the Enteric Division. Autonomic reflex. Functional organization of the Hypothalamus. Neuroendocrine System: Brain-pituitary-Organ Axes
Bibliography
The slides of the lectures are an integral part of the course material and are uploaded by the teacher on the Elly platform at the end of each lecture. The slides provided by the teacher can be integrated with the text indicated below:
- Fisiologia Medica, EDI ERMES editore, a cura di Fiorenzo Conti, terza edizione, 2020
Teaching methods
The in-person lectures will occur with attendees present. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved platform (Elly) and will include slide presentations of the lectures. During the lessons, mainly frontal moments will alternate with interactive moments with the students. During the lessons, the principles of physiology will be explained, and the main topics will be addressed with supporting digital audio/video material. During the lesson the students will be stimulated by the teacher to ask questions and comments.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the course objectives involves a written exam consisting of questions related to the course content, aimed at verifying the knowledge acquired on the topics covered in the lectures. It will be determined whether the student has achieved the objectives of understanding and applying the acquired knowledge. The end-of-course written exam consists of 30 questions with dichotomous True/False answers. Each correct answer earns one point, and there are no penalties for incorrect answers. The minimum passing threshold for the exam is 18 points, equivalent to 18/30. Honor will be awarded to those who answer exactly 31 questions. Exam results will be published on the Esse3 portal. Exams will be conducted in person, using the Socrative digital platform (https://www.socrative.com/#login ). Before each exam session, after the registration deadline has expired, all registered students will receive an email from Essetre with the necessary instructions for accessing the platform link to take the exam.
For any clarification, students can contact Professor Maria Alessandra Umilta at mariaalessandra.umilta@unipr.it.
Other information
