PHYSIOLOGY
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
The teaching has no pre-requirements. However, knowledge of the general topics covered in the first-year courses is required, in particular physics and cytology, and histology. Good knowledge of the English language is strongly recommended
The final exam will be an oral interview of about 15-20 minutes preceded by a short test featuring 15 closed-ended questions-related to the teaching macro-topics. The test will allow you to verify the student's overall preparation and will be the starting point for the oral exam. The result of the test will weigh about 20% on the final evaluation. In the interview, the achievement of the expected learning outcomes of the teaching will be verified by assessing the understanding of at least four physiological processes covered during teaching.
A minimum requirement for passing the exam is to be able to describe the role and importance of the cell membrane between the cytoplasmic and extracellular environments, to explain the functions and structure of the main membrane proteins (receptors, ion channels, pumps, and transporters), it is fundamental to know the main physiological parameters at cellular and organism level (e.g. ionic composition of intra and extracellular fluids, characteristics and timing of the action potential, parameters of cardiac and circulatory activity), illustrate the basic functions and structure of the main organs. The criteria that will guide the evaluation of the test will consider not only the congruity of the answers but also the ability to correlate molecular and cellular aspects to the overall function of the different organs or systems, the ability to predict the physiological response to a particular event and the ability to focus the single phenomenon in a general vision. The student's ability to use the correct scientific language will also be evaluated, to communicate the phenomena studied through graphs and figures that show the appropriate units of measurement. The final grade is expressed out of thirty based on the evaluation of the Examination Committee with reference to the aspects set out above.
The lessons are part of the basic teaching in the biological field about the organization of organisms, structure-function relationships, and the ability of organisms to adapt to environmental conditions. Physiology aims to provide the basis for understanding the functions of animal organisms at different levels of complexity, from the cell to the entire organism - with particular reference to humans. The physiology of the cell will be studied from the fundamental role of the membrane to metabolic activities. The specific functions of different cell types and the complex organization of cells in tissues, organs, and systems will be analyzed.
Educational objectives:
At the end of the course, the student will be able to
- define the physiological conditions of organisms and recognize the metabolic cost of maintaining homeostasis.
- identify the environments that define the organism (internal and external/extracellular cellular etc.) by defining their characteristics and importance (composition, physical, ionic, and molecular characteristics, and the consequent role in physiological responses).
- know the main physiological parameters of cells and organisms with reference to humans.
- predict functional responses to variations or environmental stimuli in animal organisms by identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved;
- explain the main physiological processes at the cellular and organism level;
- understand and describe the relationships between the functions and structures involved in physiological phenomena;
- evaluate the relationships between parameters and cellular responses in different application contexts;
- illustrate the physiopathological aspects resulting from the alterations of the main functions;
- interpret and evaluate physiological phenomena, experimental data and graphs illustrating the functional characteristics of living beings;
- communicate information through graphics and figures
- use the correct scientific language and that of the discipline to describe the processes studied;
- use multimedia tools to deepen the knowledge of some cutting-edge themes of the specific field of study, with particular attention to possible biotechnological meanings.
The principle of homeostasis, the concept of feedback, of the internal and external environment, and of structure and function (2 Hours).
Composition and organization of cell membranes, characteristics of membrane proteins. Permeability and transport through membranes. Passive permeation mechanisms. Active transport. (4 hours)
Ions and excitement. Passive electrical properties of membranes. Nernst and Goldman equations. Rest potential, graded potential, and action potential. The ion channels. (5 hours)
Propagation and transmission of signals. The propagation of nerve impulses. The concept of synapses. Electrical and chemical synapses. Neurotransmitters. The release of the mediator. Receptors and postsynaptic channels. (5 hours)
Chemical messengers and regulators. Transmembrane transduction mechanisms. Receptors, G proteins, the concept of "first" and "second" messenger, calcium, and cAMP. (4 hours)
Muscles and movement. Structure of the sarcomere and theory of filament slippage. Contraction, regulation, and role of calcium in contraction, excitation-contraction electromechanical coupling, properties of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. (4 hours)
Notes on the organization of the nervous systems of vertebrates and invertebrates. Nerve cells. Central, peripheral, autonomic, and enteric nervous systems. Neurovegetative functions, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. (4 hours)
Sensory mechanisms. Sensory organs and cells. Stimulus intensity coding. Cellular and molecular mechanism of somatic sensitivity, taste, and smell; mechanoreceptors, hearing, vestibular system, photoreceptors, visual pigments, and sight. (6 hours)
Central control of homeostasis, endocrine systems. Cellular mechanisms of action of pituitary hormones and hypothalamus-pituitary axis. (2 hours)
Heart and circulation. General scheme of the cardiovascular system. Electrical activity and mechanical properties of the heart.
Cardiovascular control. (5 hours)
Respiratory System. Gas exchange. Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Respiratory pigments. (2 hours)
Ionic and osmotic homeostasis. The vertebrate kidney. The function of the nephron. The loop of Henle and counter-current multipliers. (3 hours)
Nutrition, digestion, absorption (2 Hours)
The final exam will be an oral interview of about 15-20 minutes preceded by a short test featuring 15 closed-ended questions-related to the teaching macro-topics. The test will allow you to verify the student's overall preparation and will be the starting point for the oral exam. The result of the test will weigh about 20% on the final evaluation. In the interview, the achievement of the expected learning outcomes of the teaching will be verified by assessing the understanding of at least four physiological processes covered during teaching.
A minimum requirement for passing the exam is to be able to describe the role and importance of the cell membrane between the cytoplasmic and extracellular environments, to explain the functions and structure of the main membrane proteins (receptors, ion channels, pumps, and transporters), it is fundamental to know the main physiological parameters at cellular and organism level (e.g. ionic composition of intra and extracellular fluids, characteristics and timing of the action potential, parameters of cardiac and circulatory activity), illustrate the basic functions and structure of the main organs. The criteria that will guide the evaluation of the test will consider not only the congruity of the answers but also the ability to correlate molecular and cellular aspects to the overall function of the different organs or systems, the ability to predict the physiological response to a particular event and the ability to focus the single phenomenon in a general vision. The student's ability to use the correct scientific language will also be evaluated, to communicate the phenomena studied through graphs and figures that show the appropriate units of measurement. The final grade is expressed out of thirty based on the evaluation of the Examination Committee with reference to the aspects set out above.
The teaching activity includes frontal lessons (48 hours). Classroom lessons will be carried out with the aid of multimedia presentations, supplemented by the projection of educational videos, in many cases in English. Activities are proposed to support the preparation of the exam at the end of each macro topic (closed-ended tests or virtual exercises conducted in the classroom that require knowledge of the physiological parameters involved), aimed at verifying the understanding of the topics covered. These include in some cases the active participation of students also in working groups.
The teacher is available for meeting with students about the topics covered by the lesson during class hours or by appointment via e-mail: elena.bossi@uninsubria.it