39145 - Physiology of Organs and Systems

Learning outcomes

To understand and learn the key biophysical principles applied to cell membranes, with a focus on nerve and muscle cells; to understand the basics of human physiology, with a focus on the mechanisms that maintain vital functions.

Course contents

(the following is an outline of course contents. please, cf. the Italian version and contact the teacher for full details)

Introduction to physiology. Fick's laws of diffusion. Active transport. 

Intra- and extracellular ion concentrations. Nernst's equation. Chord conductance equation. Action potential. Osmosis.

Starling's equilibrium and ultrafiltration. Convection. Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. Hemodynamics. Poiseuille's law. Frank-Starling's law. Cardiac and vascular function curves.

Respiration: mechanics of breathing, lung volumes, alveolar gas exchange. Blood transport of oxygen and carbon dioxyde.

Urinary system: ultrafiltration, tubular resorption and secretion.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Control of the osmolarity of body fluids: antidiuretic hormone and thirst. Effects of sodium balance on blood volume and of water balance on osmolarity. Potassium and calcium balance. Acid-base equilibrium. Insulin. Endocrine defence against hypoglycemia. Thyroid hormones. Hypophysis. 

Readings/Bibliography

Any undergraduate-level textbook of physiology.

Teaching methods

Lessons

Assessment methods

Oral examination

Teaching tools

Lesson schemes available for download from the AMS campus web site

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Silvani