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Degree Course in

Biomedical Laboratory techniques

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Morpho-Functional Sciences
Module Physiology

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: FILIPPO TORRISI

Expected Learning Outcomes

Acquire a solid understanding of fundamental physiological mechanisms, preparatory to understanding the main pathological conditions that students in the Biomedical Laboratory Techniques degree program may encounter in professional practice.

To achieve this goal, the expected learning outcomes are as follows:

Understand how the living organism achieves and maintains homeostasis in relation to internal and environmental changes.

Understand the functioning mechanisms of individual cells, tissues, organs, and systems, and the integration between them.

Understand the functioning of these systems and their interaction.

Required Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of cell biology as well as basic knowledge of mathematics, chemistry and physics.

Detailed Course Content

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.

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The assessment of skills will be conducted through an individual oral interview (of variable duration, approximately 20-25 minutes) designed to assess knowledge of the course topics. Students, if necessary due to their large number, will be split across multiple days according to a schedule determined on the exam date or, if possible, in advance based on the number of students enrolled. The schedule will be appropriately publicized. During the individual interview, students will be assessed for their knowledge of the course content and the ability to apply this knowledge to teaching; their ability for independent reflection, presentation, and critical reworking; and their use of appropriate language for the specific subject matter. Grades will be given out of 30 and will range from 18/30 to 30/30 with honors, depending on the level of achievement of the indicated knowledge, skills, and abilities. Excellent will be considered an exam that demonstrates in-depth, comprehensive, and timely knowledge of the course content, mastery of scientific language, and critical thinking and in-depth analysis skills. inappropriate use of scientific language. A test demonstrating limited or superficial knowledge of the course content, limited critical thinking and in-depth analysis, and an inappropriate use of scientific language will be considered sufficient. A test demonstrating difficulty navigating the course content, gaps in knowledge, or inappropriate use of scientific language will be considered insufficient.
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