The course aims to provide the student with basic knowledge of animal cell physiology and the mechanisms related to the physiology of excitable, endocrine, circulatory, renal and immune cells. Furthermore, notions on physiological systems will be provided concerning animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) in their natural environment.

Introduction to the course. Significance of physiology. Adaptation, homeostasis. Environments (terrestrial, aquatic). Intra- and extra-cellular environment.

Animal cellular physiology: notes on the cell structure and the function of subcellular organelles. The plasma membrane: outline of structure and functions. Transport across the cell membrane: osmosis, passive and facilitated diffusion, active transport. Communication between cells.

Physiology of the nervous system. Functions of nerve cells. Synaptic transmission. Organization of the nervous system (differences between vertebrates and invertebrates). Integrative functions of the nervous system (learning, memory, sleep). Autonomous nervous system.

Environmental perception. Sensory receptors and mechanoreception. Electroreception and thermoreception (especially in snakes, bats and insects). Photoreception (with adaptations of vision in invertebrates, reptiles, birds and mammals). Chemoreception (with details on fish, reptiles, birds and mammals).

Endocrine physiology: general information on hormones and endocrine glands. Chemical nature of hormones. Regulation of hormone secretion. Hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Mechanism of action: hormones that act via intracellular receptors and hormones which act via membrane receptors.

Energetic metabolism and thermal relations. Animal bioenergetics. Temperature and metabolism (thermal relationships between animal and environment). Endothermic and homeothermic (adaptations to cold and heat). Heterothermia in insects, fish and reptiles.

Circulatory physiology. Organization of the circulatory system. Circulating fluids: blood and hemolymph. Heart and vascular system. Circulation in invertebrates and vertebrates.

Muscles and movement. Characteristics of amoeboid, cilia and muscle movement. Striated muscles and properties of skeletal muscle. Muscle contraction and movement. Locomotion in land animals, aquatic animals and birds.

Respiratory System. Gaseous or airborne animals. The exchange of gases and their transport in the tissues. Breathing regulation. Homeostasis of reactive oxygen species.

Nutrition. Generalities of animal nutrition. Food intake and eating strategies. Control hunger and satiety. Responses triggered by food intake.

D1- KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING When the course is finished, to pass the exam, the student must demonstrate that they have acquired knowledge regarding aspects relating to physiological concepts and mechanisms.

D2-ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING The student will have to demonstrate the ability to apply physiological mechanisms, particularly those connected to animals (vertebrates and invertebrates) in their natural environment.

D3-AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT The student must have acquired knowledge to allow him to evaluate in an autonomous and motivated way any different opinions on problematic aspects of the physiology of animals.

D4-COMMUNICATION SKILLS The student must have the ability to set up the discussion of theoretical issues in a logical and complete way, with language properties and terminology appropriate to the knowledge acquired.

D5-LEARNING SKILLS The student must demonstrate that he has achieved a good learning ability, not only in the form of memorizing the information studied, but also in the form of organizing his own opinion concerning the concepts acquired.

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

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Course books

Fisiologia Animale. A. Poli - EdiSES- 2019 (consigliato)

Fisiologia animale. Meccanismi e adattamenti. Randall, Burggren, French - Zanichelli, 1999; 

Fisiologia animale. Hill, Wyse, Anderson - Zanichelli, 2006. 

Fisiologia degli animali. Dai geni agli organismi. Sherwood, Klandorf, Yancey - Zanichelli, 2006. 

Assessment

Written test or oral interview aimed at ascertaining the satisfaction of the points indicated in the "Dublin Descriptors" section. The evaluation criterion of the written or oral test will take into consideration the relevance of the answers in relation to the contents of the program, the ability to make connections between the various topics, as well as the use of correct scientific terminology.

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.