05181 - Physiology

Learning outcomes

The Physiology course is aimed at providing the knowledge about functions of the living cells, expecially the excitable ones and of the omeosthatic mechanims regulating body functions and of the main processes of the systems.

Course contents

Cellular Physiology



Transmembrane Ion-channels
Voltage-dependent channels and channels dependent by chemical substances. Chemical modulation of voltage-dependent channels. Transmembrane transporters.



Electrical event of membrane
Membrane potential: physical and chemical bases of membrane potential and resting ionic flow. Action-potential: its origin. Threshold. Absolute and relative refractory period. Action-potential propagation in myelinated and unmyelinated axons.



Synapses
Chemical Synapses: functional anatomy. Presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms of chemical transmission. Graduated potentials: excitatory and inhibitory potentials. Classic neurotransmitters and neuropeptides: syntesis, release, inactivation, interaction with their receptors.



Sensory receptors
Classification of receptors. Mechanisms of signal trasduction. Primary sensory coding: coding of type of stimulus, intensity, duration and localization. Sensory pathways.



Skeletal muscle
Structure of skeletal-muscle cell. Molecular mechanism of the contraction. Excitation-contraction coupling. Control of skeletal muscle. Neuromuscular synaptic transmission. Organization of muscle system.



Smooth muscle
Classification of smooth muscles. Structure of smooth-muscle cell. Mechanism of the contraction. Control of the contraction of smooth muscle: chemical and hormonal modulation of muscolar contraction.




General Physiology

Nervous system

Somatic nervous system

Anatomo-functional organization of peripheral and central nervous system. Blood-brain barrier. Glial cells. Neurons: classification on basis of structure and function. Neural circuits; reflexes. Advanced control of the reflex activity. Somatic and motor systems and their representation on the cerebral cortex.



Autonomic nervous system
Anatomo-functional organization of autonomic nervous system. Sympathetic and parasympathetic section. Chemical pre and postganglionic transmitters. Cholinergic-nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Adrenergic alfa and beta receptors. Effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation on different organs and systems. Autonomic Reflexes.




Hormonal and Reproductive systems

Homonal control mechanisms

General basis of hormonal physiology. Mechanisms of hormonal action. Mechanisms of control of hormonal secretion. Role of hypothalamus and pituitary on the control of hormone secretion. Physiological functions of different hormones.



Reproductive functions
Male reproductive functions. Hormonal control of male reproductive functions. Female reproductive functions. Hormonal control of menstrual cycle and endometrial changes. Fertilization, pregnancy, delivery and lactation.




Cardiovascular system

Organization of cardiovascular system

Overall design of cardiovascular system. Characteristics of the great and small circulation. Composition, volume and functions of blood. Hematic cells. Hemostasis and blood coagulation.



Mechanical activity of heart
Functional anatomy of heart; structure of myocardium. Mechanical events of cardiac cycle. Blood pressure and volume changing in atria and ventricules.



Electrical activity of heart
Electrical characteristics of cardiac cells. Genesis of cardiac cycle. Electrical conduction system of the heart. Refractory period of the heart. Control of excitation and condution in the heart.



Control of cardiac output
Cardiac output: normal values and range of variation. Mechanisms of regulation of cardiac output: control of heart rate and stroke volume.



Vascular network
Characteristics and functions of vascular network: arteries, arterioles, capillaries, veins, lymphatic vessels. Diffusion across the capillary wall. Regulation of local hematic flow.



Regulation of systemic arterial pressure
Values of arterial pressure. Systems of regulation of arterial pressure: short, medium and long-term control.




Respiratory systems

Pulmonary ventilation

Functional anatomy of respiratory systems; characteristics and functions of cunducting zone and of alveolar wall. Mechanics of the pulmonary ventilation. Alveolar and intrapleural pressure changes during the respiratory cycle. Ventilation and alveolar perfusion.



Exchanges of gases in lungs and tissues
Composition of atmospheric air and alveolar air. Differences in pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in lungs and tissues. Factors involved in gas exchange in lungs and tissues.



Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood. Oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve and its functional implications.



Control mechanisms of respiratory activity
Genesis of rythmical breathing. Brainstem-encephalic structures involved in control of breathing. Nervous modulation of rythmical breathing: upper centers and afferentsignals. Chemical modulation of rythmical breathing: central and peripheral chemoreceptors, control of breathing by carbon dioxide, pH and oxygen.




Renal system

Basic renal process

Functional anatomy of kidney. Functions of renal network. Process involved in urine production. Glomerular filtration: glomerular filtration barrier, velocity of filtration, physiological control of glomerular filtration. Tubular reabsorptions and secretions.



Balance of sodium and water and regulation of diuresis
Mechanism of regulation of diuresis. Mechanism of urine concentration: the countercurrent multiplier system. Renal water regulation. Regulation of sodium reabsorption.



Regulation of acid-base balance
Biological buffer systems. Respiratory and renal homeostatic response to variations of acid-base changes.




Gastrointestinal system

Motility and secretion activities in gastrointestinal systemFunction and structure of gastrointestinal system. Nervous and hormonal regulation of gastrointestinal system. Motility of gastrointestinal tract and its control mechanisms. Basic control mechanisms of secretions of gastrointestinal tract.


Digestion and absorption

Salivary, gastric, pancreatic, duodenal and intestinal secretions and their rule in digestion. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested book:

FISIOLOGIA dalle molecole ai sistemi integrati. Carbone, Cicirata & Aicardi et al., EdiSES 2009.


Other readings:

Fisiologia – un approccio integrato. Silverthorn. Casa Ed Ambrosiana, 2007.
Fisiologia medica. Guyton & Hall, Elsevier-Masson Ed., XI edizione italiana, 2006

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons with the help of Power Point presentations

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The student will present two different subjects from the program, chosen by the examiner. The student needs to have a decent preparation on both topics, in order to pass the examination.Students following lessons have the possibility to perform a partial examination "in itinere".

Teaching tools

Video projections of Power Point presentations

Links to further information

http://www.gallettilab.unibo.it/People.html/people%20fattori.html

Office hours

See the website of Patrizia Fattori