GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY
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- Versione italiana
- Academic year
- 2017/2018
- Teacher
- MARIALISA ROSSI
- Credits
- 9
- Didactic period
- Secondo Semestre
- SSD
- BIO/09
Training objectives
- The acquisition of knowledge: the vital properties of animals and man are studied by analysing the homeostatic mechanisms at molecular and cellular level. Basic biophysical, electrophysiological and functional processes of biological membranes, cellular motility and specialized cellular function are analyzed. The integrated organization and functioning of relevant physiological systems are described, together with their control mechanisms during activity.
Prerequisites
- Knowledge of Anatomy,Mathematics, Physics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology.
Course programme
- 1) Principles of neurobiology; the resting cell membrane; electrical properties of the excitable membrane; genesis and conduction of the action potential; ionic voltage-gated channels; synaptic transmission; synaptic channels; organization of sensory receptors (30 hours out of 72);
2) The skeletal muscle: mechanics and energetics; the contractile mechanism; activation of contraction; organization of muscle activity. The smooth muscle. (10 hours out of 72);
3) The cardiovascular system: the heart, electrical and mechanical events; general properties of arteries, veins, and capillaries; mechanisms of control of the circulation (6 hours out of 72);
4). The body fluids: glomerural filtration; tubular transport; the proximal tubule, the loop of Henle, distal tubule and collecting ducts; regulation of body fluid osmolarity, volume and pH (14 hours out of 72)
5) The respiratory system: movements and transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide; regulation of respiration (6 hours out of 72);
6) The digestive system: general functions, the secretion, the absorption, the nervous and hormonal control of the digestive function, the main hormones acting at gastrointestinal level, the digestion in the mouth, in the stomach, in the small and large gut. The liver function (6 hours out of 72) Didactic methods
- Frontal lessons. The arguments of the lessons are presented utilizing power point slides. Generally each slide reports a text to clarify the illustrated graphics or/and pictures. At the end of each lesson the presented slides are made available to the students.
Learning assessment procedures
- Written examination. The examination requires the response to at least two questions dealing with arguments presented in the frontal lections. The questions are of general nature and involve the exhaustive knowledge of the selected physiological process.
Reference texts
- 1)C. Casella and V. Taglietti: Principi di Fisiologia. La Gogliardica Pavese;
2)D. Aidley: The Physiology of Excitable Cells, Cambridge University Press.
3)V. Taglietti and C. Casella: Principi di Fisiologia e Biofisica della cellula 2005-2010 Vol. II, III, IV, La Gogliardica Pavese
4) V. Taglietti and C. Casella: Fisiologia e Biofisica delle cellule EdiSES Napoli 2015
