Ateneo - UPO

Cell physiology. Endocrine system.
Nervous system.
Muscular system and motor control.
Sensory systems.
Cardiovascular system.
Respiratory system.
Digestive system.
Excretory system.
Osmoregulation

Cell physiology
V. Taglietti, C. Casella. Fisiologia e Biofisica delle Cellule, EdiSES. Napoli (o edizioni precedenti).

Sistem physiology (one of these)
Sistemi (uno dei seguenti)
D.U. Silverthorn. Fisiologia. Pearson (o edizioni precedenti).
W.J. Germann, C. L. Stanfield. Fisiologia. EdiSES. Napoli.
L. Sherwood. Fisiologia Umana. Zanichelli.
S. Silbernagl, A. Despopoulos. Fisiologia. Zanichelli.
Eric P. Widmaier,Hershel Raff,Kevin T. Strang. Vander. Fisiologia. CEA

The course aims to provide skills suitable for understanding the functioning of the cell and the organs and systems of the human body.

Elements of Maths, Physics and General Chemistry. Elements of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry suitable to approach arguments of biology. Elements of Cell Biology and Histology suitable to approach arguments of cell and biomolecular functioning. Elements of Anatomy.

Class lessons.

Learning control: Final exam

The exam consists only of a written test. The written test evaluates the student's ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course and consists of a single type of question for a total of 32 multiple choice questions.
The level of difficulty of the questions corresponds to the program carried out and the reference texts indicated on DIR. For each of the questions, 1 point is awarded for a total of 32 maximum points. The written test is considered passed if the overall evaluation is not less than 18 points.
During the written test it is not permitted to consult notes, books or other materials.
To achieve a high grade, the student must demonstrate in-depth and accurate knowledge of all the topics covered.
The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths (minimum mark 18, maximum mark 30 with honours).
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General principles
• Definition of Physiology and historical notes.
• Characteristics of living beings.
• Chemical composition of living matter.
• Homeostasis and adaptation.

Cell
• Cell membrane. Diffusion, osmosis and membrane transport.
• Cellular communication. Signal molecules, receptors and main signal transduction pathways.
• Equilibrium potentials and electrical signals: graded potentials and action potentials
• Electrical and chemical synapses.

Systems
• Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (motor and autonomic).
• Sensory systems: somatosensory system (skin and muscle receptors), vision, hearing, vestibular system, taste and sm
• Endocrine system: hormones, hypothalamic-pituitary axis, epiphysis, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, endocrine pancreas and gonads.
• Muscular system: excitation and contraction in skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle. Mechanics of skeletal contraction. Control of voluntary movement and reflexes.
• Cardiovascular system: heart (electrical and mechanical activity), blood vessels (vascular types and regulation), lymphatic system and blood (composition, haematopoiesis and haemostasis).
• Respiratory system: respiratory dynamics and gas exchange.
• Digestive system: salivary glands, stomach, liver and exocrine pancreas.
• Excretory system: renal filtration and absorption.
• Osmoregulation: water-salt balance and acid/base regulation.

Knowledge and understanding:
Acquisition of in-depth knowledge in the field of cellular, organ and systemic physiology: knowledge of the concepts and main physiological processes and acquisition of an appropriate scientific language.
Applied knowledge and understanding:
Knowledge of aspects of cellular, organ, systemic and human physiology applied to common physio-pathological situations.
Judgment autonomy:
ability to critically analyze the elements linked to physiology, independent judgment in the sector of general, organ and systemic physiology.
Communication skills:
use of an appropriate scientific vocabulary for the description of issues relating to cellular, organ and systemic physiology, with a logical and rational approach.
Learning ability:
Ability to use teaching material for critical and reasoned study