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Physiological basis of human body
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Physiological basis of human body
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Academic year 2018/2019
- Course ID
- SCB0203
- Teaching staff
- Prof. Filippo Tempia (Lecturer)
Prof. Annalisa Buffo (Lecturer) - Year
- 2nd year
- Type
- Basic
- Credits/Recognition
- 4
- Course disciplinary sector (SSD)
- BIO/09 - fisiologia
- Delivery
- Formal authority
- Language
- English
- Attendance
- Mandatory
- Type of examination
- Written
- Prerequisites
- Physiology is the study of the normal function of living organisms and of their components, by the application of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biochemistry, histology and anatomy. Knowledge of these disciplines applied to the human body is necessary for the study of Physiology.
- Propedeutic for
- Pharmacology and all disciplines regarding pathology and clinical medicine.
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Sommario del corso
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Course objectives
Introducing the basic principles underlying the functions of the human body. Completing the knowledge of cell biology and biophysics by teaching the mechanisms of electrical signaling and synaptic transmission. Teaching the principles of sensory systems and of the main sensory organs. Teaching the mechanisms of muscle contraction.
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Results of learning outcomes
Understanding of the basic design of the integrated functions of the human body, derived from the concepts of internal environment and homeostasis. Knowledge of the cellular mechanisms of electrical signaling and synaptic transmission. Understanding of the basic principles of sensory systems. Knowledge of the physiology of the main sensory organs. Knowledge of the mechanisms of muscle contraction.
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Course delivery
Formal class (lesson) and interactive learning.
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Learning assessment methods
Quiz followed by oral examination.
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Support activities
Interactive learning in the afternoon sessions.
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Program
Basic principles underlying the functions of the human body.
Internal environment and homeostasis. Mechanisms of homeostasis: control systems, negative and positive feedback, feedforward. Local control. Reflex control: elements and properties of reflexes. Biological rhythms.
Movement of molecules across cell membranes. Passive processes: diffusion, permeability, flow through ion channels. Ion channels: permeation, selectivity, gating, inactivation, modulation, classification. Patch-clamp and single channel current. Processes mediated by a membrane carrier: facilitated diffusion, primary and secondary active transport. Principles of transport across epithelia.
Physiology of the neuron.
Axonal transport. Physiological functions of glia: astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells, microglia, radial glia, neuroepithelial stem cells. Cerebrospinal fluid. Blood brain barrier.
Biophysics of excitable membranes. Diffusion potential. Equilibrium potential and Nernst law. Goldman equation. Role of Na+/K+ pump to maintain ionic gradients. Resting potential. Action potential: ionic currents, membrane permeability, single channel currents, all-or-none law, refractory period. Passive electrophysiology and electrotonic propagation: effects of electrical currents on the membrane; time and space constants. Action potential conduction along unmyelinated fibers: relationship between diameter, space and time constant and conduction velocity. Saltatory conduction in myelinated fibers. Conduction velocity and nerve fibers classifications.
Synaptic transmission.
Electrical synapse. Presynaptic mechanisms in the chemical synapse: role of Ca2+, miniature endplate potentials, molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter release, synaptic vesicles cycle. Neurotransmitters: synthesis, storing in vesicles, release, removal by diffusion, reuptake, inactivation. Functional differences between small molecule neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Diffuse projection systems. Postysnaptic mechanisms: reversal potential and ionic mechanism of endplate potential and of central excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Synaptic signal integration: temporal and spatial summation. Short and long-term synaptic plasticity. Neurotransmitter receptors: receptor channels and G-protein coupled receptors.
Physiology of muscle
Mechanism of muscular contraction. Sliding filament theory. Cross-bridge cycle.
Skeletal muscle: excitation-contraction coupling, muscle twitch, summation, tetanus, isometric and isotonic contraction, force-length and velocity-load curves, lengthening contraction, mechanical power, energetics, muscular fatigue, heat production, efficiency, subtypes of skeletal muscle fibers, control of force generation in the whole muscle, motor units recruitment and firing frequency.
Smooth muscle: single unit and multi unit muscle. Contraction mechanism. Excitation-contraction coupling and regulation of contraction. Cross-bridge cycle and latch-bridge mechanism. Control and modulation mechanisms.
The autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric divisions. Preganglionic neurons. Synaptic transmission in autonomic ganglia and target organs. Sympathetic and parasympathetic tone. Principles of organization of visceral spinal reflexes.
The endocrine system
General physiology of the endocrine system. The hypothalmus/pituitary axis. Growth hormone. Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). Glucocorticoids. Hormonal control of energy metabolism: insuline and glucagon. Sexual hormones. Homonal control of pregnancy and lactation.
Suggested readings and bibliography
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Dale Purves, George J. Augustine, David Fitzpatrick, William C. Hall, Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, and Leonard E. White (editors). Neuroscience (6th edition). Oxford University Press.
John E. Hall. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (13th edition). Elsevier.
Eric R. Kandel, James H. Schwartz, Thomas M. Jessell, Steven A. Siegelbaum and A. J. Hudspeth. Principles of neural science (5th edition). McGraw-Hill.
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