Portale di Ateneo - En.Unibs.it

Introduction to human physiology in the context of biological sciences.
The cell: structure and function, metabolic activity, plasma membrane biochemical characteristics.
Biophysical characteristics of the membrane of "excitable" cells: membrane potential at rest, equilibrium potentials, graduated potentials,
action potential creation and its ways of propagation. Electrical and chemical synapses, neurotransmitters.
Muscle physiology: organization of skeletal muscle, muscle fiber structure, contraction mechanism, muscle energy, neuro-muscular
synapses and excitation-contraction coupling; types of contraction and muscle performance.
Functional anatomy and Central and Peripheral Nervous System organization: cortical, subcortical and brain-stem functional areas;
integration systems, medullary and peripheral transmission. Sympathetic and parasympathetic vegetative nervous system: structure
and functions, neurotransmitters and central control mechanisms.
Neurosensory system: receptors (esteroceptors, proprioceptors, interoceptors); peripheral receptor mechanisms and functions of somatic
sensitivity, signal transmission pathways and central control systems.
Pain: multidimensional features and aspects, endogenous control mechanisms.
Sense organs: reception methods, transduction mechanisms and higher brain centers processing.
Motor system: cortical movement organization, sensor-motor integration, motor planning and control; muscle tone and posture.
Conditioned (proprioceptive and exteroceptive) and unconditioned reflexes; reflexes and locomotion.
Blood: general features and functions, erythropoiesis, hemostasis, inflammatory and immune response, blood groups.
Heart physiology: electrophysiology of the cardiomyocytes and cardiac pacemaker cells; excitation-contraction coupling, cardiac cycle, cardiac
energetic, cardiac output, meaning of the electrocardiogram.
Circulation physiology: morphological and functional characteristics of vessels, principles of hemodynamics, pressure in the systemic circulation
and pressure-volume ratio, peripheral resistance control, microcirculation, main district circles.
Respiration physiology: lung volumes, respiratory mechanics, respiratory cycle, exchange and transport of respiratory gases.
Kidney physiology: circulation, urine composition, glomerulus and renal tubule functions, renal clearance.
Digestive system: motor and secretory functions, digestion and absorption mechanisms.
Endocrine system: functional organization, synthesis and hormones secretion, hypothalamus and hypophysis; main endocrine glands function: thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland, endocrine pancreas (synthesis, secretion and action of the main hormones); gonads and reproduction physiology.