Human Physiology and Basic Anatomy
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course provides a full view of what the human body is capable. It is based on the connection between structure and function of the body. The course consists in the description of the main molecular mechanisms of cell physiology, the salient features of organ and system functioning, the main control systems and their reciprocal interaction in response to changes in the internal or external environment. The main objectives are: a) to understand the physiological processes, analyze their biological meaning, description, regulation and integration; b) to establish the basis for understanding the physiological adaptation process taking place due to a continuously changing environment.
This knowledge is essential for understanding the subsequent courses in biological and medical area and its application is the basis of officinal plant use for human health.
This knowledge is essential for understanding the subsequent courses in biological and medical area and its application is the basis of officinal plant use for human health.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student is required to be able: a) to describe the organization of tissues and organs; b) to describe the basic and advanced physiological mechanisms of the different organs, their regulatory pattern and their interactions; c) to discuss the processes of physiological adaptation to continuously changing environment.
The students will also acquire the ability to use a correct terminology in both written and verbal forms. For this purpose, a mid-course written exam is simulated and ample space is given to questions and discussion on specific topics during the lessons.
The students will also acquire the ability to use a correct terminology in both written and verbal forms. For this purpose, a mid-course written exam is simulated and ample space is given to questions and discussion on specific topics during the lessons.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
Cellular physiology, nervous and endocrine systems, fundamentals of histology (5 CFU)
HISTOLOGY
Basic characteristics and description of the epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous tissue.
GENERAL ANATOMY
General principles of Anatomy; Three-dimensional organization of the human body; Anatomical terminology; Body regions; General structure of hollow and full organs.
GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY CONCEPTS
Homeostasis; Functional compartments of the body; Integration and coordination of physiological functions through cellular communication mechanisms. The feedback regulation.
CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
Osmosis and osmotic pressure, oncotic pressure; Resting membrane potential; Ionic channels; Excitability; Action potential; Conducting action potential; Synapses; Neurotransmitters; receptors; Synaptic activity modulation; summation; Contraction mechanisms of the skeletal muscle cell; Motor unit; Tetanic contraction; Control mechanisms of skeletal muscle contraction; Smooth muscle contraction characteristics.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
The central nervous system: General organization; Skull and vertebrae; The meninges; The blood-brain barrier. The peripheral nervous system: General organization; The somatic nervous system; The autonomic nervous system. Posture and movement control, motor reflexes. Sensory receptors. Special senses.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
General organization. Neuroendocrinology: the pituitary portal system, hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones. The endocrine "axes". Omeostasis of blood glucose and calcium concentration.
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
General characteristics, structure, cell types, vascularization and innervation of the skin. The skin appendages. Main physiological functions of the skin.
MUSCLE-SKELETAL SYSTEM
Generalities of the osteo-arthro-muscular system
General physiology and fundamentals of anatomy (4 CFU)
CARDIOCIRCULATORY APPARATUS
Heart: Macroscopic anatomy of the heart. Small and large club. Electrical activity of the heart. Action potential of autorhythmic cells, conduction tissue, action potential of contractile cells. Mechanical activity of the heart. Cardiac cycle, systolic and cardiac output. Regulation of cardiac activity. Circle: Macroscopic anatomy of blood vessels. Circulatory dynamics principles. Functions of the arterial, venous and capillary districts. Regulatory mechanisms of the cardiovascular system in maintaining blood flow and blood pressure. The lymphatic system. Blood and hemostasis.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Anatomical organization of the airways and lungs. Respiratory muscle. Respiratory mechanics. Respiratory volumes. Gas exchange at the level of the pulmonary alveoli. Hemoglobin. Transport of O2 and CO2. Breathing control. Local and central control of respiratory activity: role of pH, CO2 and oxygen. The bulbar centers of respiration control.
URINARY SYSTEM
Macroscopic organization of kidney, ureters, bladder and urethra. Organization of the nephron. Principles of glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, excretion. Plasma clearance. Renal glucose threshold. Water / saline homeostasis and renal control.
GASTROINTESTINAL APPARATUS
Anatomical organization of the digestive tract, peritoneum. Gastrointestinal tract secretions and motility. Pancreas and liver functions in digestive processes. The hepatic portal system. Bile formation. Intestinal absorption.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Anatomical and functional features of male and female apparatuses. Anatomical, functional, and hormonal changes from prenatal stages to the elders.
HISTOLOGY
Basic characteristics and description of the epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous tissue.
GENERAL ANATOMY
General principles of Anatomy; Three-dimensional organization of the human body; Anatomical terminology; Body regions; General structure of hollow and full organs.
GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY CONCEPTS
Homeostasis; Functional compartments of the body; Integration and coordination of physiological functions through cellular communication mechanisms. The feedback regulation.
CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
Osmosis and osmotic pressure, oncotic pressure; Resting membrane potential; Ionic channels; Excitability; Action potential; Conducting action potential; Synapses; Neurotransmitters; receptors; Synaptic activity modulation; summation; Contraction mechanisms of the skeletal muscle cell; Motor unit; Tetanic contraction; Control mechanisms of skeletal muscle contraction; Smooth muscle contraction characteristics.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
The central nervous system: General organization; Skull and vertebrae; The meninges; The blood-brain barrier. The peripheral nervous system: General organization; The somatic nervous system; The autonomic nervous system. Posture and movement control, motor reflexes. Sensory receptors. Special senses.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
General organization. Neuroendocrinology: the pituitary portal system, hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones. The endocrine "axes". Omeostasis of blood glucose and calcium concentration.
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
General characteristics, structure, cell types, vascularization and innervation of the skin. The skin appendages. Main physiological functions of the skin.
MUSCLE-SKELETAL SYSTEM
Generalities of the osteo-arthro-muscular system
General physiology and fundamentals of anatomy (4 CFU)
CARDIOCIRCULATORY APPARATUS
Heart: Macroscopic anatomy of the heart. Small and large club. Electrical activity of the heart. Action potential of autorhythmic cells, conduction tissue, action potential of contractile cells. Mechanical activity of the heart. Cardiac cycle, systolic and cardiac output. Regulation of cardiac activity. Circle: Macroscopic anatomy of blood vessels. Circulatory dynamics principles. Functions of the arterial, venous and capillary districts. Regulatory mechanisms of the cardiovascular system in maintaining blood flow and blood pressure. The lymphatic system. Blood and hemostasis.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Anatomical organization of the airways and lungs. Respiratory muscle. Respiratory mechanics. Respiratory volumes. Gas exchange at the level of the pulmonary alveoli. Hemoglobin. Transport of O2 and CO2. Breathing control. Local and central control of respiratory activity: role of pH, CO2 and oxygen. The bulbar centers of respiration control.
URINARY SYSTEM
Macroscopic organization of kidney, ureters, bladder and urethra. Organization of the nephron. Principles of glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, excretion. Plasma clearance. Renal glucose threshold. Water / saline homeostasis and renal control.
GASTROINTESTINAL APPARATUS
Anatomical organization of the digestive tract, peritoneum. Gastrointestinal tract secretions and motility. Pancreas and liver functions in digestive processes. The hepatic portal system. Bile formation. Intestinal absorption.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Anatomical and functional features of male and female apparatuses. Anatomical, functional, and hormonal changes from prenatal stages to the elders.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites for taking the examination, but a good knowledge of biology and the basic principles of physics and of general and inorganic chemistry is highly recommended.
Teaching methods
Lectures. Videos. Discussion on topics proposed by the students in the classroom. Oral examination.
Teaching Resources
Notes and schemes taken from the lessons, on the Ariel website of the course (not exhaustive).
"Human physiology, an integrated approach". D.U. Silverthorn, Pearson Publishing House.
"Human anatomy". Martini, Tallitsch, Pearson Publishing House.
"Human physiology, an integrated approach". D.U. Silverthorn, Pearson Publishing House.
"Human anatomy". Martini, Tallitsch, Pearson Publishing House.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam for attending and not attending students is divided into two parts. The first part (5 CFU) takes place from February and is an oral interview. It is focused on cellular physiology, histology, and control systems (nervous and endocrine systems). The second part (4 CFU) is an oral interview and focuses on different physiological systems. The oral exams consist of two /three questions concerning different topics / apparatuses. The presentation and organization of the answers will allow to verify the general comprehension of the subject, as well as the ability to use a language appropriate to the subject. To take the second oral part of the exam, students must have scored no less than 18/30 in the first part.
The evaluation is submitted for acceptance by the candidate. 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 she/he will demonstrate ability to deepen the topics. The final mark will be calculated using the weighted average of the two marks obtained.
The evaluation is submitted for acceptance by the candidate. 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 she/he will demonstrate ability to deepen the topics. The final mark will be calculated using the weighted average of the two marks obtained.
BIO/09 - PHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 72 hours
Professors:
Galbiati Mariarita, Marciani Paola
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
monday - friday 8.30-17.30 by appointment
via Balzaretti, 9 piano 4 stanza 5020
Reception:
On appointment
Via Trentacoste 2 V piano 20134 Milano