Physiology I 4

The course allows the student to acquire the knowledge about the vital functions of man and the cellular mechanisms of the major biological systems. It analyzes the integrated functioning of the different organs and systems of control by which the living organism obtains and maintains the homeostasis inside.

Lectures will be held supported by teaching material.  At the end of the lessons, a written exam will be scheduled according to the calendar of exam sessions. 

Cell membranes.

Exchanges between cells and the environment.

Simple diffusion through membranes - Diffusion through channels: channel selectivity, leakage channels ("always" open) and gated channels (equipped with "gates"), water channels (aquaporins) - Mediated transports: membrane carriers, facilitated diffusion, primary and secondary active transports - Movement of water across membranes: osmosis - Vesicular transports: phagocytosis, pinocytosis, exocytosis - Exchanges through epithelia.

Signal transduction - Membrane and intracellular receptors.

Cardiovascular system.

Blood: composition, functions, gas transport, hematopoiesis.

Hemodynamics (velocity, pressure, resistance, flow regimes) - Functions of the arteries - Capillary exchanges - Venous return.

Cardiac function: automatism, mechanical and electrical properties, intrinsic and extrinsic regulation.

Terrestrial ventilation - Mechanical aspects of pulmonary ventilation: dead spaces, respiratory volumes, intrapleural and alveolar pressure, compliance, surface tension - Alveolar-capillary diffusion - Ventilation control: bulbo-pontine centers, intrinsic rhythmicity, chemical and mechanical regulation.

Renal mechanisms: filtration, reabsorption, secretion - Excretion of metabolic waste - Water balance: urine concentration - Control of volume, osmolarity and acid-base balance of body solutions.

Belfiore et al., Fisiologia umana Fondamenti, Edi-ermes;

Bossi et al., Fisiologia umana Elementi, Edi-ermes;

Silverthorn D.U., Fisiologia umana, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana;

Conti F., Fisiologia medica, Edi-ermes.

Examples of written questions:

The oxygen in the blood is transported

.…98% bound to hemoglobin and 2% dissolved in plasma

.…98% dissolved in plasma and 2% bound to haemoglobin

.… 98% bound to myoglobin and 2% dissolved in plasma

.....98% bound to ATP and 2% dissolved in plasma

The action potential of contractile myocardial cells (nonspecific myocardium)

..... has different characteristics from that of autorhythmic cells (specific myocardium)

..…consists of 5 phases

.…includes a long plateau phase

.…begins with a phase of rapid depolarization due to the opening of the Ca++ channels

The answers foresee the insertion of true/false (T7F) for the affirmations that are considered respectively right or wrong. For each correct answer 0.25 points will be awarded, for each wrong answer 0.1 points will be deducted, while answers not given will not be considered (0 points). There will be 30 questions asked.