Ateneo - UPO

BLOOD.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.
BODY FLUIDS AND KIDNEYS.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM.
NERVOUS SYSTEM.
GASTROINTESTINAL PHYSIOLOGY.

Anna Belfiore, Chiara Berteotti, Gerardo Biella, Mario Rosario Buffelli, Barbara Colombini, Marcello D’Ascenzo,et al. "Fisiologia Umana: Fondamenti" editor Edi-Ermes
Bossi E. et al. Fisiologia Umana - ELEMENTI. edi.ermes.

The module aims to allow the learning of the principles that determine and regulate the functional activity of the various systems of the organism and provide an experimental knowledge that can help their study. It also aims to clarify the physiological bases of some diagnostic procedures used in clinical practice and to deepen the knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of some experimental techniques used in basic and applied medical research. It also aims to promote understanding skills in order to demonstrate a professional approach to their work, with competences. The aim is also to promote comprehension skills so as to demonstrate a professional approach to their work, with appropriate skills both to devise and support arguments and to solve problems in their field of study.

The students must have basic knowledge in Anatomy, Chemistry and Biochemistry. These prerequisites will facilitate learning during the course.

MS-Power Point slides and videos which are important to clarify the physiological mechanisms. All materials used during the lessons can be found on the DIR platform. Students are asked to proceed systematically with self-study and actively participate in the proposed discussions.

At the end of the course an exam simulator is shown which will also be uploaded as an individual exercise on the DIR platform. The queries will be similar to those that will be used for the final examination.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The examination consists of a written test with multiple-choice questions.
The students will have to demonstrate that he/she has assimilated the basic notions learned during the lectures sufficiently to be able to deal effectively with the subsequent courses. The pass mark is set at 50% of correct answers. Exceeding the threshold of 90% correct answers is considered a result of excellence. Students with DSA certifications or disabilities will take the exam with compensatory and dispensatory tools, which "replace or facilitate the performance required in the deficient skill", be it writing, reading or calculation, and allow the student to study and learn effectively. These tools are approved by the competent UPO office, which will notify the Teachers.

BLOOD: Composition and functions of the blood. Hematocrit. Red blood cells. Hemoglobin. Blood groups. The Rh factor. White blood cells. The platelets. Plasma proteins. Lipoproteins. Hemostasis. Coagulation.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM: Intrinsic myocardial properties. Cardiac cycle. Heart tones. Cardiac Output. Mechanical factors of arterial pressure. Workout of the heart. Electrocardiogram. Principles of hemodynamics. Regulation of the functionality of the cardiovascular system. Capillary circulation. The venous return. Neural control of cardiovascular system.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: The chest wall. The pleural cavity. The tracheobronchial system. The structure of the alveolus. The laws of gases. The pulmonary volumes and capacities. The intrapulmonary and intrapleural pressure. Respiratory muscles. Transport of oxygen in the blood. Hemoglobin dissociation curve. Transport of carbon dioxide in the blood. Diffusion of gases through the respiratory membrane. Effect of the ventilation-perfusion ratio on alveolar gas concentration. Exchange of respiratory gases. Nervous regulation of breath. Chemical regulation of the breath.

BODY FLUIDS AND KIDNEYS: The nephron. The renal glomerulus. The tubular processes that lead to urine formation. Glomerular filtration. Resorption and tubular secretion mechanisms. Renal clearances. Tubular reabsorption of water and salts. Mechanisms of concentration of urine. Role of the kidney in the control of acid-base balance. Renal circulation. RAS, renin-angiotensin system.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: Generalities on hormones. Hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis. Glandotropic hypothalamic-hypophyseal hormones. Non-glandotropic hypothalamic-hypophyseal hormones. Endocrine pancreas. Thyroid. Adrenal glands. Ovary. Testis.

NERVOUS SYSTEM: The neuron. The nerve fiber. The resting potential. The action potential. The synapse. Reflexes. Motility. Sensitivity. Skeletal muscle. The Special Senses (vision, hearing, taste and smell).

GASTROINTESTINAL PHYSIOLOGY: Functional anatomy of the digestive tract. Gastrointestinal motility. The accessory glands: pancreas and liver. Salivary glands. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, lipids and protides. Water absorption. Vitamins.

The expected results consist of the students' acquisition of the
mechanisms underlying the functioning of the organs and systems of the human body under physiological conditions. This information will facilitate the learning of human pathologies and their therapies, thus providing a broad knowledge of human physiological skills, which, together with the skills acquired in the subsequent courses, will shape future professionalism.