Morpho-Functional Sciences

Module Physiology

Provide students with the physiological foundations necessary to understand the functional mechanisms of the human body and to correctly interpret biological and laboratory data in the context of the professional activity of a Biomedical Laboratory Technician.

By the end of the course, students should have acquired:

a) Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter for a solid understanding of fundamental physiological mechanisms, preparatory to understanding the main pathophysiological conditions.

b) Ability to apply physiological concepts to the reading and interpretation of biological parameters and laboratory data.

c) Independent judgment to analyze the body's compensatory and adaptive mechanisms.

d) Communication skills to explain correlations between physiological mechanisms and laboratory diagnostic applications.

e) Learning skills to progressively integrate physiological knowledge with subsequent disciplines (general pathology, pathophysiology, laboratory diagnostics).

Successful attendance requires the following preliminary knowledge, which is essential for developing learning outcomes related to the understanding of physiological mechanisms, their quantitative modeling, and the correct interpretation of biological data.

a) Basic cell biology: organization and function of eukaryotic cells, structure of biological membranes, cellular compartmentalization, fundamental mechanisms of transport and cellular communication.

b) General and biological chemistry: properties of solutions, chemical equilibrium, pH and buffer systems, chemical bonds, principles of basic biochemistry.

c) Basic physics: principles of mechanics, fluid dynamics, electrostatics, and elements of thermodynamics relevant to understanding physiological processes.

e) Basic mathematics: proportions, first-degree equations, logarithms, the concept of function, and graphical representation, useful for understanding quantitative models and regulatory systems.

WATER COMPARTMENTS AND HOMEOSTASIS Water compartments: the extracellular and intracellular compartments. Water and electrolyte exchange across biological membranes. Concentration gradient and electrochemical gradient.

ION CHANNELS AND MEMBRANE POTENTIAL Cellular excitability: cell membrane polarization, depolarization, and hyperpolarization. Potentials: Membrane potential, electrochemical equilibrium. Action potential: characteristics and genesis. Conduction of excitation along excitable membranes. Point-to-point propagation and saltatory conduction.

SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION Communication between excitable elements. Electrical synapses and chemical synapses. Neuromuscular junction.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: The neuron as the morphological, functional, biochemical, and trophic unit of the nervous system. Functions of glia. Morpho-functional organization of the central and peripheral nervous system. Sensory physiology. Anatomical and functional organization of the cerebral cortex.

MUSCLE CONTRACTION: Skeletal muscles and basic smooth muscles. Structure and contractile mechanism. Theory of sliding filaments and cross-bridges. Autonomic and somatic reflexes.

BLOOD: Blood composition: corpuscular and liquid components. Respiratory functions of red blood cells, affinity of hemoglobin for respiratory gases.

CARDIOCIRCULATORY SYSTEM: Electrical function of the heart: excitability, cardiac automaticity and cardiac pacemaker, refractory periods, conduction. Mechanical function of the heart: cardiac cycle, cardiac output, Starling's law of the heart.

Properties and nervous control of the heart: ANS, medullary and hypothalamic centers, reflex regulation of the cardiovascular system.

Electrocardiography: Overview. Systemic blood pressure: systolic, diastolic, pulse, and mean. Short- and long-term regulatory mechanisms of systemic blood pressure. Determination of systemic blood pressure.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Respiratory mechanics. Functions of the upper airway. Generation of pressure gradients: inspiration and expiration. Role of the respiratory muscles and importance of the pleura. Effects of surface tension on respiration and the role of surfactant. Spirometry: lung volumes and capacity.

URINARY SYSTEM Kidney Functions. General Information. Notes on functional anatomy. The functional unit of the kidney: the nephron. Functions of the glomerulus. Glomerular filtration rate. Inulin clearance and creatinine clearance. Functions of the tubules. Reabsorption processes in the proximal tubule. Action of aldosterone and vasopressin. The renin-angiotensin system. pH regulation and respiratory references.

GASTROENTERIC SYSTEM Morpho-functional organization of the gastrointestinal system. Characteristics of the enteric nervous system and notes on gastrointestinal motility. Digestive processes: Digestive tract. Salivary secretion. Gastric secretion. Pancreatic secretion. Secretion of the small intestine and colon. Liver: Overview of the main functions of the liver. Digestion processes, absorption of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: Major endocrine glands and their hormones. Hypothalamic-pituitary axis and regulation of hormone secretion. Regulation of energy metabolism. Control of hunger and satiety. Sex hormones and notes on the reproductive system.

The grade is expressed in thirtieths (18/30 – 30/30 with honors) and reflects the degree of achievement of the educational objectives.

Excellent grade (30/30 – 30/30 with honors)

In-depth, organic, and systemic knowledge of the content; full command of scientific language; ability to integrate physiological systems; high critical autonomy and ability to connect with physiopathological and laboratory implications.

Good/Fair grade (24–29/30)

Overall adequate knowledge of the content; clear presentation; correct use of disciplinary language; ability to connect, present but not always thorough; possible prevalence of rote learning with limited critical reworking.

Satisfactory grade (18–23/30)

Essential and sometimes superficial knowledge of the topics; limited ability to integrate concepts; sometimes imprecise use of scientific language; limited independent judgment.

Insufficient rating (<18/30)

Significant gaps in knowledge of fundamental content; difficulty navigating physiological mechanisms; inability to make coherent connections; inappropriate use of disciplinary language.