Ateneo - UPO

Systemic Physiology

• Cardiovascular System
• Respiratory System
• Excretory System
• Digestive System

Fisiologia

C Stanfield

EdiSES

Fisiologia: dalle molecole ai sistemi integrati

G. Aicardi, V. Carabelli, e. Carbone, R. Magg

EdiSES

Fisiologia umana. Un approccio integrato

D.U. Silverthon

Pearson

The course aims to provide female and male students with an advanced understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the integrated functioning of the body’s major physiological systems, with a particular focus on intercellular communication processes, the maintenance of homeostasis, and functional adaptations in response to physiological and pathological stimuli.

Upon completion of the course, female and male students will be able to:

• understand the physiological mechanisms that regulate the functional integration of the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems;
• analyze the cellular and molecular bases of the regulation of physiological functions and homeostatic processes;
• interpret the interactions between different organ systems under physiological conditions and during adaptation to changes in the internal and external environment;
• understand the main pathophysiological mechanisms resulting from alterations in regulatory processes;
• interpret experimental data obtained using advanced physiological methodologies and critically evaluate their biological significance;
• acquire the tools to read, understand, and critically discuss the international scientific literature in the field of integrated physiology;
• develop a quantitative and interdisciplinary approach to the study of physiology, integrating knowledge from cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology.

In-person classroom lectures using PowerPoint slides and videos. Classroom interaction and discussion

Female and male students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request specific services and resources designed for them by contacting the Student Development, Career Coordination, and Student Services Staff and consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/ it/servizi/servizi-studentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-disabilità-e-dsa. Once you have contacted the University staff, you may contact the course instructor regarding the specific exam arrangements and teaching-related matters

• 30-30 L Excellent Excellent and detailed knowledge of biological mechanisms. Outstanding ability to make interdisciplinary connections, scientific rigor, and impeccable use of specialized terminology. Demonstrates critical thinking and independent judgment.
  
• 27–29 Very Good In-depth knowledge of the subject matter. Good ability to analyze and synthesize biological processes. Clear, logically structured presentation using appropriate scientific terminology.
  
• 24–26 Good Good knowledge of fundamental topics, but with some limitations in details or complex connections. Correct presentation with a predominantly appropriate use of scientific language.
  
• 21–23 Fair Fair but largely rote or descriptive knowledge of biological concepts. Limited ability to apply concepts to problems or case studies. Simple but correct language.
  
• 19–20 More than sufficient Minimal and fragmented knowledge of the course content. Difficulty understanding the implications of the biological mechanisms covered. Uncertain or limited scientific language.
  
• 18 Sufficient The student demonstrates only a descriptive, fragmented, and basic knowledge of the essential biological concepts in the curriculum. Critical thinking skills are absent or severely limited; there is a clear difficulty in connecting biological mechanisms to one another or applying them to complex contexts. The language is understandable but contains uncertainties, terminological inaccuracies, and a limited use of the specialized scientific vocabulary required at the master’s level.
  

Cardiovascular System

• anatomical and functional characteristics of the heart and circulatory system
• heart valves and the fibrous skeleton of the heart
• the cardiac muscle: properties and the excitation-contraction coupling
• the concept of syncytium in the heart
• structure of the myocardial cell
• electrical responses of the heart: working myocardium and nodal tissue
• Conduction tissue
• The concept of refractoriness and single impulse
• The cardiac cycle in the Wiggers and Frank diagrams
• Modification of preload, afterload, and contractility
• Cardiac metabolism and cardiac hormones
• ECG
• Regulation of heart rate and systolic volume
• Hemodynamics and vascular compliance
• Mean arterial pressure: regulatory factors
• Peripheral microcirculation and blood delivery
• Venous and lymphatic systems
• Coronary circulation

Respiratory System

• Anatomical and functional characteristics
• Respiratory tree and epithelium of the upper airways
• Structure of the respiratory system
• Respiratory membrane
• Lungs and pleura
• Donders’ depression
• Respiratory mechanics: Boyle-Mariotte’s law
• Inspiration-expiration cycle
• Spirometry
• Surface tension and surfactant
• Alveolar ventilation
• Ventilation-perfusion ratio
• Alveolar ventilation equation
• Gas transport
• Nervous and chemical control of respiration

Excretory System

• Water compartments and osmosis
• Functional anatomy of the kidney
• Structure of the nephron
• Filtration barrier
• Structure of the tubule:Anatomical and functional characteristics
• Urinary tract
• The concept of clearance: inulin, glucose, and PAI
• Renal ultrafiltration
• Tubular reabsorption and secretion: specific transport mechanisms
• Tubuloglomerular feedback
• Control of renal function: the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
• Blood pressure regulation: pressure-dependent diuresis and natriuresis
• Regulated reabsorption of water and sodium
• Diluted urine and concentrated urine
• Acid-base balance

Digestive System

• Taste and smell
• Anatomical and functional structure
• Enteric nervous system
• Diffuse hormonal system
• Enteric circulation
• Motor activity: mastication, swallowing, esophageal, gastric, and intestinal motility
• Sphincters
• Gastric and intestinal emptying
• vomiting
• salivary, gastric, and intestinal secretions
• pancreas, liver, and gallbladder
• digestion and absorption of macronutrients
• absorption of minerals and vitamins
• water regulation
• regulation of hunger and satiety

Gender Mainstreaming

One lecture will focus on gender-specific physiological aspects

Upon completion of the course, female and male students will be able to:

• Describe and interpret the mechanisms that regulate the integrated functioning of the body’s major physiological systems, illustrating their mutual interactions in maintaining homeostasis.
• Analyze the cellular and molecular bases of physiological processes and understand their organization at the organ and organism levels.
• Explain neuroendocrine regulatory mechanisms and their role in the body’s adaptation to different physiological and environmental conditions.
• Interpret the integrated physiological responses of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems under physiological conditions and in response to disturbances in homeostasis.
• Critically analyze experimental data obtained through cellular, organ, and systemic physiology techniques, evaluating their biological significance.
• Understand the physiological basis of the main functional alterations and adaptive processes associated with pathological conditions.
• Consult and critically discuss the international scientific literature, integrating acquired knowledge with the latest research developments in the field of physiology.
• Communicate rigorously, using appropriate scientific terminology, the principles of systemic physiology and their biological and biomedical implications.