Human Physiology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The teaching aims to provide an organic view of the human body in its functioning, causally and consequentially linking the different subcellular phenomena to the most complex levels of organisation and homeostatic regulation. This will enable the student to better understand the organic basis of diseases and the rationale of experimental medical interventions aimed at their treatment and prevention.
Expected learning outcomes
By learning the principles of Human Physiology, the student will acquire an overall knowledge of the human body from the molecular to the macroscopic level, in the context of biological evolution. He/she will thus have acquired the cultural competences to tackle the study of diseases as alterations of normal physiological functions, and the search for the correct preventive and curative interventions aimed at restoring these functions.
With this knowledge, the student will be able to understand simple problems relating to the functions and dysfunctions of the organism using the experimental and quantitative scientific method.
Thanks to lecture-seminars held by the students themselves, they will be able to develop critical and communication skills useful for the continuation of the BSc and, in general, for future careers as researchers.
With this knowledge, the student will be able to understand simple problems relating to the functions and dysfunctions of the organism using the experimental and quantitative scientific method.
Thanks to lecture-seminars held by the students themselves, they will be able to develop critical and communication skills useful for the continuation of the BSc and, in general, for future careers as researchers.
Lesson period: First semester
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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Frontal teaching
General physiology - cell physiology - neurophysiology
Homeostasis - Control and regulation -Properties of the cell membrane - Intra- and intercellular water and solute transport.
Properties of excitable cells, ion channels, membrane potentials, action potentials, propagation of action potentials, excitatory and inhibitory chemical synapses, neurotransmitters. Neuromuscular junction.
Muscle physiology
Striated muscle. Anatomical and molecular bases of muscle contraction. Muscle mechanics: the force-length diagram, the force-velocity diagram. The principles of recruitment of motor units. Smooth muscle; The muscle of the wall of the hollow organs.
Vegetative nervous system
Cardiovascular system
The functional significance of the circulatory system, characteristics of vessels. The properties of the cardiac muscle. The electrical activity of the heart: ionic basis of pacemaker activity, trans-membrane potentials of cardiac cells and their propagation through the conduction system.
Outlines of electrocardiography: the I, II and III leads and precordial leads. Cardiac pump: the functions of the pump, mechanical events of the cardiac cycle, volume-pressure diagram of the left ventricle, cardiac tones. Cardiac output. Cardiac work. Blood pressure.
Haemodynamics: the large and small circulation. Flow, velocity, resistance and pressure. Laminar and turbulent flow. Control of cardiac output and blood pressure. Pulmonary circulation. Blood composition - haemostasis
Respiratory system
Functional significance of respiration. Respiratory muscles, changes in lung pressure, flow and volume during respiration, surface tension of the alveoli, airflow resistance. Spirometry. Alveolar and exhaled air - Dead space - Ventilation-perfusion relationship
Alveolar and tissue gas exchange. O2 and CO2 transport - Haemoglobin dissociation curve. Nervous control of respiration.
Sistema uropoietico
La funzione renale: generalità - Nefrone - Circolazione renale - Apparato juxtaglomerulare. Filtrazione glomerulare. Clearance renale. Clearance dell'inulina, Clearance del PAI. Riassorbimento tubulare. Secrezione tubolare. Regolazione del bilancio idro-salino - Meccanismo di controcorrente
Ruolo del rene nel controllo della pressione arteriosa - Sistema renina-angiotensina. Concentrazione e diluizione delle urine. Fisiologia della minzione
Compartimenti idrici dell'organismo
Composizione e volume dei compartimenti idrici dell'organismo. Controllo della osmolarità e del volume dei liquidi corporei. La regolazione del bilancio idrosalino. Equilibrio acido-base: contributo del sistema renale e respiratorio.
Sistema Nervoso Centrale
I recettori, la trasduzione degli stimoli e la trasmissione centrale dell'informazione sensoriale. Sistema somatosensoriale: sensibilità epicritica e protopatica. Modulazione del dolore. Organizzazione anatomo-funzionale del sistema motorio, motoneuroni alfa, gamma, interneuroni spinali e loro organizzazione. Riflessi spinali. Controllo del movimento volontario.
Digestive system
Organisation and control mechanisms. Secretory function. Motility. Digestion and absorption of the main nutrients: carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
Energy metabolism
Metabolism of nutrients. Energy balance: basal metabolism, energy metabolism and thermoregulation. Metabolism measurements: Calorimetry (outline). Caloric intake of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
Endocrine system
Hormones and their mechanism of action. Endocrine control of metabolism: thyroid, pancreatic, adrenal hormones. Hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, body growth. Heat balance and thermoregulation.
Exercises
Insights into membrane biophysics (introduction to the patch-clamp laboratory).
SNC: seminars dedicated to the special senses carried out by the students. Presentations will be followed by discussion and questions.
CNS: electroneurography, electromyography and spinal reflexes.
Cardiovascular system: pulse, blood pressure using the Riva-Rocci method, auscultation of heart tones. (practical exercise).
General physiology - cell physiology - neurophysiology
Homeostasis - Control and regulation -Properties of the cell membrane - Intra- and intercellular water and solute transport.
Properties of excitable cells, ion channels, membrane potentials, action potentials, propagation of action potentials, excitatory and inhibitory chemical synapses, neurotransmitters. Neuromuscular junction.
Muscle physiology
Striated muscle. Anatomical and molecular bases of muscle contraction. Muscle mechanics: the force-length diagram, the force-velocity diagram. The principles of recruitment of motor units. Smooth muscle; The muscle of the wall of the hollow organs.
Vegetative nervous system
Cardiovascular system
The functional significance of the circulatory system, characteristics of vessels. The properties of the cardiac muscle. The electrical activity of the heart: ionic basis of pacemaker activity, trans-membrane potentials of cardiac cells and their propagation through the conduction system.
Outlines of electrocardiography: the I, II and III leads and precordial leads. Cardiac pump: the functions of the pump, mechanical events of the cardiac cycle, volume-pressure diagram of the left ventricle, cardiac tones. Cardiac output. Cardiac work. Blood pressure.
Haemodynamics: the large and small circulation. Flow, velocity, resistance and pressure. Laminar and turbulent flow. Control of cardiac output and blood pressure. Pulmonary circulation. Blood composition - haemostasis
Respiratory system
Functional significance of respiration. Respiratory muscles, changes in lung pressure, flow and volume during respiration, surface tension of the alveoli, airflow resistance. Spirometry. Alveolar and exhaled air - Dead space - Ventilation-perfusion relationship
Alveolar and tissue gas exchange. O2 and CO2 transport - Haemoglobin dissociation curve. Nervous control of respiration.
Sistema uropoietico
La funzione renale: generalità - Nefrone - Circolazione renale - Apparato juxtaglomerulare. Filtrazione glomerulare. Clearance renale. Clearance dell'inulina, Clearance del PAI. Riassorbimento tubulare. Secrezione tubolare. Regolazione del bilancio idro-salino - Meccanismo di controcorrente
Ruolo del rene nel controllo della pressione arteriosa - Sistema renina-angiotensina. Concentrazione e diluizione delle urine. Fisiologia della minzione
Compartimenti idrici dell'organismo
Composizione e volume dei compartimenti idrici dell'organismo. Controllo della osmolarità e del volume dei liquidi corporei. La regolazione del bilancio idrosalino. Equilibrio acido-base: contributo del sistema renale e respiratorio.
Sistema Nervoso Centrale
I recettori, la trasduzione degli stimoli e la trasmissione centrale dell'informazione sensoriale. Sistema somatosensoriale: sensibilità epicritica e protopatica. Modulazione del dolore. Organizzazione anatomo-funzionale del sistema motorio, motoneuroni alfa, gamma, interneuroni spinali e loro organizzazione. Riflessi spinali. Controllo del movimento volontario.
Digestive system
Organisation and control mechanisms. Secretory function. Motility. Digestion and absorption of the main nutrients: carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
Energy metabolism
Metabolism of nutrients. Energy balance: basal metabolism, energy metabolism and thermoregulation. Metabolism measurements: Calorimetry (outline). Caloric intake of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
Endocrine system
Hormones and their mechanism of action. Endocrine control of metabolism: thyroid, pancreatic, adrenal hormones. Hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, body growth. Heat balance and thermoregulation.
Exercises
Insights into membrane biophysics (introduction to the patch-clamp laboratory).
SNC: seminars dedicated to the special senses carried out by the students. Presentations will be followed by discussion and questions.
CNS: electroneurography, electromyography and spinal reflexes.
Cardiovascular system: pulse, blood pressure using the Riva-Rocci method, auscultation of heart tones. (practical exercise).
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have fulfilled all the propaedeutic requirements indicated in the syllabus: Histology and Human Anatomy, Applied Physics.
Teaching methods
Lectures and theoretical and practical exercises. Class attendance is compulsory.
Teaching Resources
Silverthorn. Human physiology. An integrated approach. (8ed). Turin: Pearson Italy, 2020
StanfieldCL. Physiology. (6ed). Naples: Edises, 2023.
AAVV, Vander Physiology (2nd). Milan: CEA, 2018.
Zocchi L, et al. Principles of Physiology. Naples: Edises 2nd edition, 2020.
AAVV. Human Physiology.Elements. Milan: Edi.Ermes, 2019.
Fox S.I. Human Physiology. Padua: Piccin, 2020.
On the myAriel platform, the presentations projected during the lectures will be uploaded in pdf format in addition to the course syllabus and recommended texts.
StanfieldCL. Physiology. (6ed). Naples: Edises, 2023.
AAVV, Vander Physiology (2nd). Milan: CEA, 2018.
Zocchi L, et al. Principles of Physiology. Naples: Edises 2nd edition, 2020.
AAVV. Human Physiology.Elements. Milan: Edi.Ermes, 2019.
Fox S.I. Human Physiology. Padua: Piccin, 2020.
On the myAriel platform, the presentations projected during the lectures will be uploaded in pdf format in addition to the course syllabus and recommended texts.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Method: single oral test with the course lecturers;
Type of test: oral question;
Assessment parameters: knowledge acquired, ability to critically reason about the study carried out; quality of exposition;
Type of assessment used: grade in thirtieths;
Method of communication: immediate at the end of the test.
During the course there are two optional intermediate exercises that, at the student's choice, may contribute to the final grade.
Type of test: oral question;
Assessment parameters: knowledge acquired, ability to critically reason about the study carried out; quality of exposition;
Type of assessment used: grade in thirtieths;
Method of communication: immediate at the end of the test.
During the course there are two optional intermediate exercises that, at the student's choice, may contribute to the final grade.
BIO/09 - PHYSIOLOGY - University credits: 7
Informal teaching: 16 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Brambilla Dario, Cerri Gabriella
Professor(s)