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 clearance, acid-base homeostasis and buffer systems, Henderson-Hasselbalch’s Law, acidosis and alkalosis.