Ateneo - UPO

This course deals with the functioning of the human body at all levels and introduces the fundamental principles of cell physiology, homeostasis, and control mechanisms in mammals. Covers the basics of human physiology including the cellular functions involved with membrane transport and cell signaling, electrical activity of the cells, muscle contraction as well as the basic functions of human nervous, endocrine, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory and urinary system

1) SILVERTHORN DU, Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach, Pearson 2) STANFIELD C.L. Principles of Human Physiology, Pearson 3) PURVES D et al. Neuroscience, Sinauer 4) D'ANGELO, PERES. Fisiologia. 2011. Edi-ermes

The objectives of this course are to provide a fundamental understanding of the basic cell physiology and systems physiology. Students will learn fundamental concepts related to the normal function of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems of the human body

Human Anatomy, Biochemistry

Conventional lectures

Learning will be verified through a written exam which will take place in the computer room and will consist of closed questions. Multiple choice questions, true / false questions, completion type questions and matching type questions are the most frequent types of test questions. For those who prefer to take the exam in English, it will be in oral form. At the end of each theme control quiz will be proposed. Average score of at least 75% of quizzes will be ranked for all participants. The scores could be added to the vote of the final exam. Participants who will accumulate scores higher of equal to 29/30 will be exempted from the final exam with the possibility to attend an oral exam for honors.

Cell physiology: cellular membranes and transmembrane transports. Carriers, pumps and channels. Endocytosis, exocytosis. Membrane potentials and action potentials. Contraction of skeletal muscle. Excitation of skeletal muscle: neuromuscular transmission and excitation-contraction coupling. Contraction and excitation of smooth muscle. The nervous system. General principles and sensory physiology. Organization of the nervous system, functions of synapses. Sensory receptors, neuronal circuits for processing information. Somatic sensations: the tactile and position senses. Pain and thermal sensations. Motor and integrative neurophysiology. The cord reflexes Cortical and brain stem control of motor function. Contributions of the cerebellum and basal ganglia to overall motor control. Cerebral cortex, intellectual functions of the brain, learning and memory. The limbic system and the hypothalamus. The autonomic nervous system and the adrenal medulla. Cardiac muscle: the heart as a pump and function of the heart muscles. Rhythmical excitatory and conductive system of the heart. The normal electrocardiogram. Cardiac output, venous return, and their regulation. The circulation: pressure, flow, and resistance. Vascular distensibility and functions of the arterial and venous systems. The microcirculation and lymphatic system: capillary fluid exchange, interstitial fluid, and lymph flow Nervous regulation of the circulation, and rapid control of arterial pressure. Blood cells and blood coagulation. Kidneys: glomerular filtration, renal blood flow, and their control. Tubular reabsorption and secretion. Urine concentration and dilution; regulation of extracellular fluid osmolarity and sodium concentration. Renal regulation of potassium, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium; integration of renal mechanisms for control of blood volume and extracellular fluid volume. Acid-base regulation. Respiration. Pulmonary ventilation. Pulmonary circulation, pleural fluid. Physical principles of gas exchange; diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the respiratory membrane. Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood and tissue fluids. Regulation of respiration. Gastrointestinal physiology motility, nervous control, and blood circulation. Propulsion and mixing of food in the alimentary canal. Secretory functions of the alimentary tract. Digestion and absoprtion. Body temperature regulation. Endocrinology. Pituitary hormones and their control by the hypopthalamus. Thyroid metabolic hormones. Adenocortical hormones. Insulin, glucagon, and diabetes mellitus. Parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, calcium and phosphate metabolism, vitamin D.

At the end of the course, the student will acquire basic knowledge of how cells, organs and systems work. The student will then be able to face the molecular, cellular and integrative study of pathology and pharmacology, as it will be able to understand the origin of dysfunction and disease and the rationale of the drug therapies associated with them.