The aims of the course are to provide students of the knowledge of General Physiology and cellular mechanisms to undestand the function of digestive system and control, food intake and body wheigt control. Some pivotal topics will be discuss in lecture form.

Transport of substances across the cell membrane: diffusion and facilitated diffusion; primary and secondary active transport. Ionic channels; resting membrane potential; action potential; propagation of action potential.
Nervous system: chemical synapses and electrical synapses; neurotransmitters and their receptors; sensory receptors: stimulus transduction and codification; taste, olfactory system; reflexes.
Muscle: neuromuscular junction; sarcomere; excitation-contraction coupling; muscle metabolism; principles of the proprioception, smooth muscle.
Endocrine system: hormones: classification, synthesis and release, action mechanisms; hypothalamus-hypophysis axis; thyroid; adrenal gland; endocrine pancreas.
Gastrointestinal system: motility: electrical and mechanical activity of smooth muscle cells; mastication; swallowing; esophagus motility; stomach motility; movements of small and large intestine; defecation; secretory functions: salivary secretion; gastric secretion; pancreatic secretion; biliary secretion; intestinal secretion; digestion and absorption; nervous and hormonal regulation of gastrointestinal functions. Control of food intake and of body weight.

The exames of Animal biology, Human anatomy, Physics and Biochemistry are recommended before Physiology.

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

Oral lessons

Attendance

It is needed to have passed Biochemistry, Human anatomy, Physics, Animal biology and Molecular biology.

Course books

Monticelli G, Fisiologia, CEA, 2009
Stanfield, Fisiologia, EdiSES, 2012

Other book (english language) will be suggested during lessons.

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.

Course books

Monticelli G, Fisiologia, CEA, 2009
Stanfield, Fisiologia, EdiSES, 2012

Other book (english language) will be indicated by mail

Assessment

Oral exame

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.