The aims of the course are to provide students with the tools  to understand fundamentals of General Physiology starting from lab experiences. Some pivotal topics will be discuss in lecture form.

Cell membrane and membrane transports: chemical and electrical gradients and diffusion of ions and water; the ion channels and their activity; osmosis and osmotic pressure, transport by carriers; endocytosis, exocytosis; trans-epithelial transports.


Cell excitability: neurons as excitable cells, the equilibrium potential and the Nerst equation; membrane potential and the Goldmann law; the action potential and ion movements across the membrane. Passive properties of membrane and the signal integration; macro EPSP. Nerve stimulation, threshold of excitability and the influence of the time and intensity of the stimulus. The action potential conduction in the myelinated fibres.

Synaptic communication: electrical and chemical synapses, neurotransmitters and receptors; excitatory and inhibitory synapses; neuromuscular synapse.
Metabotrophic receptors and signalling: G protein, cAMP and IP3. Trk receptors and signal transduction.
Synaptic plasticity: pre and post synaptic potentiation and inhibition, LTP and LTD.

Sensibility: the receptors and the signal transduction, threshold, specificity, adaptation.
The somaesthesic sensibility: tact,  proprioception and the reflex activity, the thermic sensibility, the nociception.
The retina and the phototransduction. The Corti organ and the phonotransduction.
The neuromuscular system: the electromechanical transduction, muscular contraction and the control of the movements.

The homeostasis
The nephron and the glomerular filtration, tubular secretion and absorption, the urine formation. The renal control of blood osmolarity, volume, electrolytes and pH.
Respiration and respiratory gases: blood transport of O2 and CO2; respiratory muscles and the respiratory control.

It is strongly recommended to have passed Anatomy and Biochemistry.

In accordance to the Descriptors of Dublin, at the end of the course students are expected to fulfill the following requirements:

1. to possess good knowledge and comprehension of the various themes of General Physiology, so as to be able to discuss theoretical aspects of the discipline in a logical and complete fashion;

2. to be able to discuss applicative problems in the context of General Physiology;

3. to be able to critically and autonomously evaluate different opinions related to the various aspects of Physiology;

4. to have reached a good level of learning capacity, not only in terms of ability to memorize/retrieve the information studied, but also in terms of ability to elaborate original thoughts about the diverse issues presented during the course.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Lectures

Teaching

Lessons and lectures

Attendance

No

Course books

- D'Angelo e Peres, Fisiologia, edi-ermes, 2011
- Berne & Levy, Fisiologia, CEA, 2010
Testi di integrazione:
- V. Taglietti, C. Casella. Principi di fisiologia e biofisica della cellula (Vol II e III), La Goliardica Pavese, Padova, 2005, 2006.
- B. Alberts, A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter. Biologia molecolare della cellula, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2008.
- E.R. Kandel, J.H. Schwartz, T.M. Jessel. Principi di neuroscienze, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2003.
Ulteriori indicazioni verranno fornite all'inizio del corso
Textbooks: - Berne & Levy, Physiology (latest edition)

Assessment

Oral exam (either in Italian or English).

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Attendance

No

Course books

- D'Angelo e Peres, Fisiologia, edi-ermes, 2011
- Berne & Levy, Fisiologia, CEA, 2010
Testi di integrazione:
- V. Taglietti, C. Casella. Principi di fisiologia e biofisica della cellula (Vol II e III), La Goliardica Pavese, Padova, 2005, 2006.
- B. Alberts, A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter. Biologia molecolare della cellula, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2008.
- E.R. Kandel, J.H. Schwartz, T.M. Jessel. Principi di neuroscienze, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2003.
Ulteriori indicazioni verranno fornite all'inizio del corso
Textbooks: - Berne & Levy, Physiology (latest edition)

Assessment

Oral exam (either in Italian or English)

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.