GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY
Learning outcomes of the course unit
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 contents summary
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.
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. 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
Recommended readings
Monticelli, “Fisiologia”. CEA.
Berne-Levy, “Fisiologia”. CEA
Fisiologia Medica a cura di Fiorenzo Conti. Volume 1. Edi-Ermes editore.
Teaching methods
Lectures, during which the principles of the discipline will be exposed and the main issues will be discussed with appropriate practical examples.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written exam at the end of the course (30 questions True / False), there are no tests during the course. The acquired knowledge on the topics covered in the lessons will be verified. Every correct answer will be scored with one point; there are penalties of one point for each for wrong answer. The minimum threshold for passing the exam is a score of 18 points, corresponding to 18/30.
