Ateneo - UPO

The main focus of the Physiology course is to achieve knowledge of principles at the basis of the functional activity of various organs. The
cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, neuronal, muscular, digestive, and endocrine systems will be treated. Regarding the nervous system, its role
in the regulation of the above systems will be treated.

Anna Belfiore, Chiara Berteotti, Gerardo Biella, Mario Rosario Buffelli, Barbara Colombini, Marcello D’Ascenzo,et al. "Fisiologia Umana: Fondamenti" editor Edi-Ermes In alternativa dello stesso editore "Fisiologia Umana: Elementi" editor Edi-Ermes

The educational objectives are addressed to the knowledge of principles governing the functional activity of various organs and apparatus, and to
match them with the main cellular mechanisms. Specific objectives: knowledge of myocardial properties; knowledge of the onset of rest membrane potential and of action potential in pacemaker cells and myocardial cells; definition of systolic output and cardiac output; general knowledge of cardiac cycle and arterial blood pressure; knowledge of mechanisms of breathing, main respiratory volumes and respiratory capacity; alveolar gas exchange and blood transport; mechanisms of glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption and secretion; renal clearances: definition and main clearance values; general knowledge of mechanisms of water and glucose reabsorption; knowledge of mechanisms of production of gastrointestinal secretions and their composition; knowledge of mechanisms involved in gastrointestinal absorption and of liver function; knowledge of hypothalamic-hypophysis axis and of function of hormones produced by thyroid, parathyroids, pancreas, adrenal glands and gonads. In addition, the main mechanisms related to the central and peripheral nervous system.

Elements of Maths, Physics, and General Chemistry are suitable for approaching arguments in biology. Elements of Cell Biology and Histology are suitable for understanding the principles of cell and biomolecular functioning.

MS PowerPoint slides, videos, and tests to clarify the physiological mechanisms. All materials used during the lessons can be found on the DIR platform.

At the end of the course, an exam simulation similar to those used for the exam will be available on the DIR platform. After the exam, the public correction of the exam is made upon a reasonable request. 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, Risultati di apprendimento attesi/Intended learning objectives Al fine di raggiungere le conoscenze e le competenze corrispondenti al livello minimo di sufficienza, allo studente/ alla studentessa si chiede di dimostrare: (CONOSCENZE) - conoscere la teoria alla base dei principali meccanismi fisiologici che governano il funzionamento dei vari apparati; (COMPETENZE) - utilizzare le conoscenze acquisite per affrontare problematiche di competenza biotecnologica; -saper creare collegamenti tra i vari apparati (ABILITÀ TRASVERSALI) essere in grado di leggere, comprendere e commentare materiale tecnico da libri, da manuali o altra fonte; - conoscere, o essere in grado di rintracciare, la terminologia internazionale. Obiettivi per lo sviluppo sostenibile Codice Descrizione 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 exam consists of a written test with multiple-choice questions on DIR platform. The students must demonstrate that he has assimilated the
basic notions of Physiology, learned during the lessons, in an appropriate way to deal with the subsequent courses effectively. Sufficiency is set at 50% of correct answers, and exceeding the threshold of 90% correct answers is considered an achievement 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.

Cellular Physiology. Membranes, transport, and channels. Cytotoxicity. Regulation systems, Homeostasis. Vegetative nervous system and its organic implications. Adaptive behavior. Cardiovascular system. Properties of the myocardium, cardiac cycle, cardiac output, and arterial pressure. Action potentials (genesis, conduction, and propagation). The blood. Digestive system: composition, secretion and role of digestive juices, intestinal absorption of digestive products, liver functions. Respiratory System: Respiratory mechanics, dead spaces and alveolar ventilation, alveolar gas exchange, nervous and chemical control of the breath, transport of gases in the blood. Renal system: processes in the kidney. Nephron: structure and function. Glomerular filtration, mechanisms of reabsorption and tubular secretion, renal clearances, and renal threshold. Hydroelectrolyte homeostasis. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Acid-base balance. Endocrine system: hormones: synthesis, release, transport, action. Physiological actions of the
hormones produced by the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the adrenal capsules, the endocrine pancreas, and the gonads. Cell membrane and excitability. Membrane diffusion and transport. Ionic equilibria and membrane potentials. Electrochemical equilibrium, equilibrium potential, Nernst equation, Genesis of resting membrane potential, Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. Electrical signals, graded potentials, excitatory potentials (EPSP), and inhibitory potentials (IPSP). Muscles. Movement in non-muscle cells. Skeletal muscle: contractile proteins, sliding theory, the cross-bridge cycle, excitation-contraction coupling, role of Ca2+. Smooth muscle, Nervous system, Excitable and non-excitable cells. The neuron, genesis of the action potential and its conduction along the axon. Synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters, and their receptors. The main glial cells of the nervous system are macroglia (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells) and microglia. Homeostatic role of astrocytes. Higher functions of the CNS. Learning and memory. Synaptic plasticity, LTP

The students should: (KNOWLEDGE) -be aware of basic physiologic mechanisms that regulate the function of organs (COMPETENCE) -use the knowledge for solving main biotechnological issues (TRANSVERSAL ABILITY) -to be able to read, understand, and discuss technical material taken from books, other tests; -to know or find out the international terminology.