HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY

Degree course: 
Corso di First cycle degree in Professional education
Academic year when starting the degree: 
2021/2022
Year: 
1
Academic year in which the course will be held: 
2021/2022
Course type: 
Basic compulsory subjects
Credits: 
2
Period: 
Second semester
Standard lectures hours: 
20
Detail of lecture’s hours: 
Lesson (20 hours)
Requirements: 

None

Please refer to the whole Integrated Course

Assessment: 
Voto Finale

Please refer to the whole Integrated Course

In the Physiology module the student will learn the basic principles of cell
physiology and the basic functionality of systems (nervous, muscular,
cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and renal systems).

General Introduction: basics of Physics and Chemistry (mass, force, acceleration, speed, work), solutions and suspensions, concentration, density, osmolarity, osmotic pressure; compartments and composition of body fluids (blood, plasma, interstitial fluid).
Cellular neurophysiology: cell membrane, ion channels, transporters, fluxes; resting potential of cell membrane, action potential of excitable cells, propagation of the action potential; synapses; functions of cerebral cortex areas.
Skeletal muscle (sarcomere, contraction cycle, force-length and force-velocity diagrams) and motor descending pathways.
Sensory systems: transduction of the stimulus and psychophysical laws; tact and proprioception, dermatomes; thermal perception, nociception, gate-control theory; spinal reflexes; afferent pathways. Vision (physiological optics, retina, visual pathway); hearing; vestibular system; taste and smell.
Cardiovascular System: blood, hematocrit, hemostasis and coagulation; heart electrical/mechanical activity; blood vessels (properties of blood vessels, blood velocity, vessel cross-section, systemic pressures); cardiac output; Poiseuille’s Law, Starling’s Law; lymphatic system.
Respiratory System: static lung volumes/capacities, respiratory mechanics, pulmonary surfactant, air gas component; gas exchange, blood transport of O2 and CO2
Gastrointestinal physiology: energy balance, functional organization of the gastrointestinal tract, motility and secretions; digestion and absorption of sugars, lipids and proteins
Renal System – pH: body water balance; kidney (filtration, secretion, reabsorption, excretion); renal clearence, acid-base homeostasis and buffer systems, Henderson-Hasselbalch’s Law, acidosis and alkalosis.

AA.VV ELEMENTI di Fisiologia Umana, ed. Edi Ermes 2019
Mulroney, Myers. Netter’s Fisiologia–L’essenziale, ed. Piccin 2021
AA.VV. Compendio di Fisiologia Umana, ed. Piccin
AA.VV. Fisiologia dell'Uomo, ed. Edi Ermes
Levy, Koeppen, Stanton. Principi di Fisiologia di Berne&Levy, ed. Edra

The students will have front lectures with slides. Students are encouraged to interact with teachers with questions and curiosities.
Slides will be available on the e-learning page of the Physiology course.

Dr. Solari is available for the students by appointment taken at the
e-mail address eleonora.solari@uninsubria.it

Professors

Parent course