Ateneo - UPO

The course provides the fundamental knowledge of the physiological mechanisms that regulate the functioning of the human body, with particular emphasis on the processes responsible for maintaining homeostasis. Starting from the principles of cellular physiology, the course examines the mechanisms of communication between excitable cells, synaptic and neuromuscular transmission, and the physiology of muscle contraction. It then covers the major physiological systems of the human body, with particular focus on the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, and nervous systems, highlighting their regulatory mechanisms and functional integration. The course aims to provide an integrated understanding of human physiology as an essential foundation for the study of pathophysiology and clinical sciences.

Edi-Ermes, Fisiologia Umana: Fondamenti

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Understand the fundamental principles of cellular physiology and homeostasis.
• Describe the mechanisms underlying the generation and propagation of the membrane potential and the action potential.
• Understand the processes of synaptic communication and neuromuscular transmission.
• Describe the mechanisms of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle contraction and their regulation.
• Understand the physiological function of the cardiovascular system and the principal mechanisms regulating cardiac activity and arterial blood pressure.
• Describe the physiology of the respiratory system, including gas exchange and the transport of respiratory gases in the blood.
• Understand the fundamental physiological principles governing the digestive, endocrine, and urinary systems.
• Understand the main mechanisms underlying the functional organization of the central nervous system, with particular emphasis on the control and planning of movement.
• Integrate knowledge of the different organs and physiological systems to explain the maintenance of homeostasis in the human body.

Students should be in possession of basic knowledge of Biology, Physics, and Chemistry

PowerPoint presentations are used during lectures, and the DIR platform is used to upload the teaching materials. Particular attention is paid to the use of clear and inclusive language in order to support students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), and Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Office hours require a prior appointment with the lecturer, which can be arranged by contacting: daniele.borzelli@uniupo.it.
Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request dedicated services and support tools by contacting the relevant university office and consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-disabilità-e-dsa.
After contacting the University support staff, students may contact the course lecturer to discuss possible adaptations of the examination procedures and to receive support regarding teaching and learning aspects.

Assessment consists of a written examination with multiple-choice questions covering the content of the course modules.

General Principles of Physiology
• Functional organization of the human body.
• The concept of homeostasis and regulatory mechanisms.
• Negative and positive feedback control systems.
Cellular Physiology
• Cell membrane and membrane transport.
• Simple and facilitated diffusion, active transport, and osmosis.
• Resting membrane potential.
• Action potential: generation, propagation, and properties.
• Ion channels and their regulation.
Cellular Communication
• Chemical and electrical communication.
• Electrical and chemical synapses.
• Synaptic transmission.
Muscle Physiology
• Organization of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.
• Molecular mechanism of muscle contraction.
• Excitation–contraction coupling.
• Motor unit.
• Regulation of muscle force.
• Mechanical properties of muscle.
Cardiovascular Physiology
• Functional properties of cardiac muscle.
• Cardiac electrophysiology.
• Cardiac conduction system.
• Cardiac cycle.
• Stroke volume and cardiac output.
• Regulation of cardiac function.
• Blood: composition and functions.
• Hemostasis and blood coagulation.
• Hemodynamics.
• Arterial, capillary, and venous circulation.
• Capillary exchange.
• Regulation of arterial blood pressure.
Respiratory Physiology
• Functional anatomy of the respiratory system.
• Respiratory mechanics.
• Lung volumes and capacities.
• Alveolar ventilation.
• Gas diffusion.
• Ventilation–perfusion ratio.
• Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
• Neural and chemical regulation of respiration.
Digestive Physiology
• Functional organization of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Gastrointestinal motility.
• Digestive secretions.
• Principles of digestion and nutrient absorption.
Endocrine Physiology
• Principles of endocrine communication.
• Mechanisms of hormone action.
• Major endocrine glands and their functions.
• Regulation of hormone secretion.
Renal Physiology
• Functional organization of the kidney.
• Glomerular filtration.
• Tubular reabsorption and secretion.
• Urine formation.
• Regulation of fluid, electrolyte, and acid–base balance.
Central Nervous System
• Functional organization of the central nervous system.
• Principles of sensory and motor integration.
• Control of posture and movement.
• Planning and execution of voluntary movement.
• Role of the motor cortex, basal ganglia, and cerebellum.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the fundamental knowledge of the principles of cellular physiology, the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of homeostasis, and the integrated functioning of the main organs and systems of the human body, with particular reference to the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, and urinary systems. Students will understand the physiological mechanisms regulating the activity of the different biological systems and the ways in which these systems interact to ensure the functional balance of the human organism.
To achieve the minimum required level of learning, students should be able to describe and interpret the main physiological processes underlying the functioning of organs and systems, apply the acquired knowledge to answer physiology-related questions, and understand the basis of the main pathophysiological processes. Furthermore, students should be able to establish connections between the different physiological systems, recognizing the mechanisms of integration and regulation responsible for maintaining homeostasis.
Students will also develop transferable skills, including the ability to read, understand, and critically comment on technical and scientific material from textbooks, manuals, and other bibliographic sources, to correctly use international physiological terminology, and to integrate the acquired knowledge with subsequent biomedical and clinical disciplines.
To achieve an advanced level of learning, students should demonstrate an understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying physiological functions, the ability to interpret the functioning of the human organism from an integrated perspective, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the analysis of basic pathophysiological conditions and clinically relevant problems.