Physiology
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide a deep preparation on the functions of organ systems, as well as their integrated view, as an assumption to the study of diseases affecting the human body. Great attention will be paid to the description of physiological mechanisms at cellular and molecular level as a possible target of pharmacological therapies.
The theoretical and practical knowledge in physiology will be mainly forwarded through a logical, rather than mnemonic, and 'problem solving' approaches and a correct technical terminology that would allows students to effectively talk in the medical-scientific field moving to the following educational path.
Moreover, the course aims to provide an advanced scientific background to implement the professional skills by stimulating health-care informant abilities to general public, so that they can represent a connection among patients, doctors and public health structures, proposing healthy lifestyles as well as providing expertise for the management of pathophysiological and/or physiotherapeutic issues.
The theoretical and practical knowledge in physiology will be mainly forwarded through a logical, rather than mnemonic, and 'problem solving' approaches and a correct technical terminology that would allows students to effectively talk in the medical-scientific field moving to the following educational path.
Moreover, the course aims to provide an advanced scientific background to implement the professional skills by stimulating health-care informant abilities to general public, so that they can represent a connection among patients, doctors and public health structures, proposing healthy lifestyles as well as providing expertise for the management of pathophysiological and/or physiotherapeutic issues.
Expected learning outcomes
After course completion, the student should have gained basic and advanced skills on the functions of the human body, in an integrated view of the biological mechanisms involved.
The course is also expected to develop in the student:
- abilities as well as disciplinary and methodological skills, which will enable the student to understand the biological aspects of the next professionalizing courses and to face and solve logical problems related to biological needs and their possible alterations;
- cross-sector skills, like study strategies to improve learning abilities;
- adequate communication skills and medical-scientific terminology, to establish a link among patients, doctors and the public health facilities.
The course is also expected to develop in the student:
- abilities as well as disciplinary and methodological skills, which will enable the student to understand the biological aspects of the next professionalizing courses and to face and solve logical problems related to biological needs and their possible alterations;
- cross-sector skills, like study strategies to improve learning abilities;
- adequate communication skills and medical-scientific terminology, to establish a link among patients, doctors and the public health facilities.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Linea AL
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
I SEMESTER. CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
This unit addresses the organization and biophysical properties of cells and tissues. Basic concepts in cell and membrane physiology are synthesized through exploring the function of epithelial, neuronal and muscle cells. The following topics will be covered:
1. INTRODUCTION
What is physiology? Main characteristics of a living being. Cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism. Liquid compartments composition in the body. Homeostasis.
2. BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES AND TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
Structure and function of biological membranes. Transport through biological membranes: Simple diffusion and Fick's law. Facilitated diffusion and Michaelis-Menten equation. Ionic channels, Transporters and pumps. Primary active transport: ATPases. Secondary active transport, property and function. Transport mediated by vesicles. Osmosis: osmotic pressure. Complex biological barriers: epithelia
3. MEMBRANE POTENTIAL
Resting membrane potential. Equilibrium potentials. Nernst's law. Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. Electrical analogue of a membrane. Extracellular and intracellular recording techniques.
4. CELL COMMUNICATION I: HORMONAL SIGNALS.
Hormone chemistry, synthesis and secretion. Regulatory mechanisms and mechanisms of action of hormones. Endocrine disruptors
5. CELL COMMUNICATION II: NERVOUS SIGNALS
Neurons and glial cells. The graduate potential and action potential. Generation and propagation of the action potential: ionic and molecular bases. Relative and absolute refractory period. Myelin and saltatory conduction Action potentials in excitable cells.
Synaptic transmission. Electrical and chemical synapses. Neurotransmitters, ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, vesicular and membrane transporters. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials and synaptic integration.
6. PHYSIOLOGY OF THE MUSCLE CELL.
Skeletal muscle: electrical and mechanical phenomena. Neuromuscular junction. Excitation-contraction coupling. Molecular mechanism of contraction. Regulation of muscle contraction. Classification of muscle fibers. Motor unity.
Cardiac musculature. Electrical activity of individual cardiac cells and regulation. Heartbeat origin and excitement propagation. Contractile activity. Heart rate regulation. Smooth muscle. Excitation-contraction coupling in smooth muscle. Mechanism of muscle contraction at the molecular level, differences with the striated muscle. Smooth muscle classification
7. CIRCULATING LIQUIDS
The blood. Plasma: ionic components, protein and non-protein components.
Blood Cells: erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. The red blood cell: characteristics, composition, membrane properties and Hamburger phenomenon. Hemoglobin and the transport of O2. The lymph and lymph nodes.
II SEMESTER. HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY.
This unit addresses the organization and functioning of organs and systems of normal human body. The regulatory mechanisms and the contributions of each system to the body homeostasis will be emphasized. The functioning of the following systems will be covered:
8. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Organization of the central and peripheral nervous system (in brief)
Sensory function. Sensory signals. Transduction and coding of sensory information in sense organs and receptors. Somatosensory perception. The nociception and control of painful stimuli.
View: elements of optics, pupillary reflexes, the retina, photoreceptors and phototransduction, analysis of visual information in cortical circuits.
Hearing: structure of the ear, elements of acoustics, the cochlea, ciliated cells and mechanotransduction, analysis of acustic information in cortical circuits.
Motor function. The simple reflexes. Voluntary movements. Central control of motor activity. Role of the nuclei of the base and cerebellum. Mirror neurons.
Complex functions: learning and memory, molecular mechanisms of learning and memory, sleep and wake, language, emotions.
Integrated Physiology Control of body temperature
9. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Hypothalamic-pituitary relationships, hypothalamic hormones, neurohypophysis and anterior pituitary.
The endocrine "axes".
Thyroid hormones: synthesis, secretion, regulation and action
Hormonal control of glucose metabolism: insulin and glucagon.
Hormonal control of Ca2+, K+ and PO4- homeostasis: vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.
Adrenal hormones and stress response
Steroid sex hormones, sexual determination and differentiation.
10. HEART AND CIRCULATION
Cardiac muscle structure. Electrical cycle: origin of the heartbeat and propagation of excitement. Cardiac Mechanical cycle: cardiac pressures and volumes in the different phases of the cardiac cycle. Frank and Starling's law. Systolic and cardiac output. Cardiac output control. The role of the autonomic nervous system. Electrocardiogram.
Blood circulation: arteries, capillaries and venous. Hydrodynamics of blood circulation. Laplace's law, Bernoulli's law and Darcy's law. Blood pressure. Peripheral resistance: central and local control. Microcirculation and osmotic/oncotic pressure. Edema and lymphatic system.
Integrated Physiology Integrated blood pressure control.
11. BREATHING AND TRANSPORT OF RESPIRATORY GASES
Gas properties. Ventilation. Breathing Mechanics. Respiratory muscles. Surfactant. Spirometry and lung volumes. Ventilation and gas exchange.
Oxygen transport: hemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. CO2 transport. Tissue breathing.
Integrated Physiology: Control of respiration.
12. KIDNEY FUNCTION
Kidney. Nephron. Kidney circulation. Glomerular filtration (FG). Factors influencing FG. Measurement of FG flow. Tubular function. Reabsorption mechanisms. Titration curve for glucose. Tubular secretion. Henle loop. Collector duct. Clearance concept.
13. HYDRO-SALINE INTEGRATION and ACID-BASE BALANCE
Countercurrent multiplication. Hormones action on kidney function. The antidiuretic hormone. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
Integrated Physiology Integrated control of Na+, K+ concentration.
Integrated Physiology Integrated control of plasma volume and blood pressure
Integrated Physiology Mechanisms of pH control. Buffer systems. Effects of breathing on the acid-base balance. Kidney regulation. Alterations of the acid-base balance: alkalosis and acidosis.
14. GASTROINTESTINAL FUNCTION (in brief)
The digestive system nervous system. Motility of the digestive system: swallowing, peristalsis and segmentation. Salivary, gastric, pancreatic secretions. Liver and bile.
Basis of nutrient digestion and absorption. Water and electrolyte absorption processes.
Integrated Physiology Food behavior.
PRACTICAL COURSE
Osmolarity and tonicity, Action potential and synaptic integration.
Principles and techniques of manual blood pressure measurement
Heart function: electrocardiogram
First Aid Guide and Emergency Treatment Instructions - Body Life Support and Defibrillation (fBLSD)
This unit addresses the organization and biophysical properties of cells and tissues. Basic concepts in cell and membrane physiology are synthesized through exploring the function of epithelial, neuronal and muscle cells. The following topics will be covered:
1. INTRODUCTION
What is physiology? Main characteristics of a living being. Cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism. Liquid compartments composition in the body. Homeostasis.
2. BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES AND TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
Structure and function of biological membranes. Transport through biological membranes: Simple diffusion and Fick's law. Facilitated diffusion and Michaelis-Menten equation. Ionic channels, Transporters and pumps. Primary active transport: ATPases. Secondary active transport, property and function. Transport mediated by vesicles. Osmosis: osmotic pressure. Complex biological barriers: epithelia
3. MEMBRANE POTENTIAL
Resting membrane potential. Equilibrium potentials. Nernst's law. Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. Electrical analogue of a membrane. Extracellular and intracellular recording techniques.
4. CELL COMMUNICATION I: HORMONAL SIGNALS.
Hormone chemistry, synthesis and secretion. Regulatory mechanisms and mechanisms of action of hormones. Endocrine disruptors
5. CELL COMMUNICATION II: NERVOUS SIGNALS
Neurons and glial cells. The graduate potential and action potential. Generation and propagation of the action potential: ionic and molecular bases. Relative and absolute refractory period. Myelin and saltatory conduction Action potentials in excitable cells.
Synaptic transmission. Electrical and chemical synapses. Neurotransmitters, ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, vesicular and membrane transporters. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials and synaptic integration.
6. PHYSIOLOGY OF THE MUSCLE CELL.
Skeletal muscle: electrical and mechanical phenomena. Neuromuscular junction. Excitation-contraction coupling. Molecular mechanism of contraction. Regulation of muscle contraction. Classification of muscle fibers. Motor unity.
Cardiac musculature. Electrical activity of individual cardiac cells and regulation. Heartbeat origin and excitement propagation. Contractile activity. Heart rate regulation. Smooth muscle. Excitation-contraction coupling in smooth muscle. Mechanism of muscle contraction at the molecular level, differences with the striated muscle. Smooth muscle classification
7. CIRCULATING LIQUIDS
The blood. Plasma: ionic components, protein and non-protein components.
Blood Cells: erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. The red blood cell: characteristics, composition, membrane properties and Hamburger phenomenon. Hemoglobin and the transport of O2. The lymph and lymph nodes.
II SEMESTER. HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY.
This unit addresses the organization and functioning of organs and systems of normal human body. The regulatory mechanisms and the contributions of each system to the body homeostasis will be emphasized. The functioning of the following systems will be covered:
8. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Organization of the central and peripheral nervous system (in brief)
Sensory function. Sensory signals. Transduction and coding of sensory information in sense organs and receptors. Somatosensory perception. The nociception and control of painful stimuli.
View: elements of optics, pupillary reflexes, the retina, photoreceptors and phototransduction, analysis of visual information in cortical circuits.
Hearing: structure of the ear, elements of acoustics, the cochlea, ciliated cells and mechanotransduction, analysis of acustic information in cortical circuits.
Motor function. The simple reflexes. Voluntary movements. Central control of motor activity. Role of the nuclei of the base and cerebellum. Mirror neurons.
Complex functions: learning and memory, molecular mechanisms of learning and memory, sleep and wake, language, emotions.
Integrated Physiology Control of body temperature
9. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Hypothalamic-pituitary relationships, hypothalamic hormones, neurohypophysis and anterior pituitary.
The endocrine "axes".
Thyroid hormones: synthesis, secretion, regulation and action
Hormonal control of glucose metabolism: insulin and glucagon.
Hormonal control of Ca2+, K+ and PO4- homeostasis: vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.
Adrenal hormones and stress response
Steroid sex hormones, sexual determination and differentiation.
10. HEART AND CIRCULATION
Cardiac muscle structure. Electrical cycle: origin of the heartbeat and propagation of excitement. Cardiac Mechanical cycle: cardiac pressures and volumes in the different phases of the cardiac cycle. Frank and Starling's law. Systolic and cardiac output. Cardiac output control. The role of the autonomic nervous system. Electrocardiogram.
Blood circulation: arteries, capillaries and venous. Hydrodynamics of blood circulation. Laplace's law, Bernoulli's law and Darcy's law. Blood pressure. Peripheral resistance: central and local control. Microcirculation and osmotic/oncotic pressure. Edema and lymphatic system.
Integrated Physiology Integrated blood pressure control.
11. BREATHING AND TRANSPORT OF RESPIRATORY GASES
Gas properties. Ventilation. Breathing Mechanics. Respiratory muscles. Surfactant. Spirometry and lung volumes. Ventilation and gas exchange.
Oxygen transport: hemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. CO2 transport. Tissue breathing.
Integrated Physiology: Control of respiration.
12. KIDNEY FUNCTION
Kidney. Nephron. Kidney circulation. Glomerular filtration (FG). Factors influencing FG. Measurement of FG flow. Tubular function. Reabsorption mechanisms. Titration curve for glucose. Tubular secretion. Henle loop. Collector duct. Clearance concept.
13. HYDRO-SALINE INTEGRATION and ACID-BASE BALANCE
Countercurrent multiplication. Hormones action on kidney function. The antidiuretic hormone. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
Integrated Physiology Integrated control of Na+, K+ concentration.
Integrated Physiology Integrated control of plasma volume and blood pressure
Integrated Physiology Mechanisms of pH control. Buffer systems. Effects of breathing on the acid-base balance. Kidney regulation. Alterations of the acid-base balance: alkalosis and acidosis.
14. GASTROINTESTINAL FUNCTION (in brief)
The digestive system nervous system. Motility of the digestive system: swallowing, peristalsis and segmentation. Salivary, gastric, pancreatic secretions. Liver and bile.
Basis of nutrient digestion and absorption. Water and electrolyte absorption processes.
Integrated Physiology Food behavior.
PRACTICAL COURSE
Osmolarity and tonicity, Action potential and synaptic integration.
Principles and techniques of manual blood pressure measurement
Heart function: electrocardiogram
First Aid Guide and Emergency Treatment Instructions - Body Life Support and Defibrillation (fBLSD)
Prerequisites for admission
Students taking this course are expected to have a background in general and organic chemistry, physics, biology and anatomy
Teaching methods
Frontal and practical lessons, interactive multimedia platforms
Teaching Resources
Text book
- Human Physiology, an integrated approach, aut. D.U. Silverthorn, Pearson
Reference book
- Principles of Human Physiology - Stanfield Cindy L., Pearson
- Human physiology - Berne and Levy, Elsevier
- Principles of Neural Science Textbook by Eric Kandel, James H. Schwartz, and Thomas Jessell, Elsevier,
Teaching materials available on ARIEL web site
https://cperegofal.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
- Human Physiology, an integrated approach, aut. D.U. Silverthorn, Pearson
Reference book
- Principles of Human Physiology - Stanfield Cindy L., Pearson
- Human physiology - Berne and Levy, Elsevier
- Principles of Neural Science Textbook by Eric Kandel, James H. Schwartz, and Thomas Jessell, Elsevier,
Teaching materials available on ARIEL web site
https://cperegofal.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination to ascertain the candidate's knowledge on the topics covered during the course.
The exam consists of three questions: the first relating to cellular physiology and the other two concerning organs functioning and regulation. The examination is passed if the candidate demonstrates that he/she has acquired and understood the principles of cell and organ functioning and the mechanisms of their homeostatic regulation (not the simple "learning by heart").
For student attending the courses, an on-going evaluation is planned in written form (with open and multiple-choice questions) during the teaching-break (generally February). In case of positive result, at the end of the course, the students will be evaluated by oral examination only on general and integrated physiology. The final grade is the weighted average (5 CFU for cellular physiology and 6 CFU for general physiology) of the two votes. The evaluation is released at the end of the test and submitted to the candidate for acceptance.
The assessment includes a range of: minimum marks (18-23/30) if sufficient preparation is demonstrated; intermediate marks (24-27/30) if the student shows a good knowledge of all the topics covered in the exam; high marks (28-30/30) if the student shows an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered in the exam and excellent communication skills. The student is awarded with the highest mark (30 lode) if he will demonstrate ability to deepen the topics.
The exam consists of three questions: the first relating to cellular physiology and the other two concerning organs functioning and regulation. The examination is passed if the candidate demonstrates that he/she has acquired and understood the principles of cell and organ functioning and the mechanisms of their homeostatic regulation (not the simple "learning by heart").
For student attending the courses, an on-going evaluation is planned in written form (with open and multiple-choice questions) during the teaching-break (generally February). In case of positive result, at the end of the course, the students will be evaluated by oral examination only on general and integrated physiology. The final grade is the weighted average (5 CFU for cellular physiology and 6 CFU for general physiology) of the two votes. The evaluation is released at the end of the test and submitted to the candidate for acceptance.
The assessment includes a range of: minimum marks (18-23/30) if sufficient preparation is demonstrated; intermediate marks (24-27/30) if the student shows a good knowledge of all the topics covered in the exam; high marks (28-30/30) if the student shows an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered in the exam and excellent communication skills. The student is awarded with the highest mark (30 lode) if he will demonstrate ability to deepen the topics.
BIO/09 - PHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 11
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 80 hours
Lessons: 80 hours
Professor:
Perego Carla
Linea MZ
Responsible
Lesson period
year
BIO/09 - PHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 11
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 80 hours
Lessons: 80 hours
Professor:
Magnaghi Valerio
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday to Friday, by appointment
Via Balzaretti 9, 4th floor