ID:
500312
Duration (hours):
45
CFU:
3
SSD:
FISIOLOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 30/06/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
The Human Physiology course is designed to teach the main physiological processes that underlie the different systems of the human body. By the end of the course, the student will have acquired a basic knowledge of the functioning of the major organs and systems of the human body and the control systems that regulate their activity. Particular attention will be paid to issues relevant to nursing practice.
Course Prerequisites
A good knowledge of elements of Anatomy, Histology, Biology and Biochemistry is a basic prerequisite. This knowledge can be acquired in courses in this degree programme that are preparatory for the Human Physiology examination.
Teaching Methods
The course is organized in hall lessons carried out by PowerPoint presentations
Assessment Methods
The final assessment of learning will take the form of a written examination covering the topics of the programme taught in class. The final examination will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions and will be completed in 50 minutes. There are no penalties (deduction of marks) for incorrect answers.
Texts
FISIOLOGIA - W.J. German and C.L. Stanfield. Edises
Principi di Fisiologia - L. Zocchi. Edises
Fisiologia Umana, un approccio integrato - Dee U. Silverthon. Pearson
Fisiologia Umana. edi-ermes
fisiologia Umana - Stuart ira Fox. Piccin
Principi di Fisiologia - L. Zocchi. Edises
Fisiologia Umana, un approccio integrato - Dee U. Silverthon. Pearson
Fisiologia Umana. edi-ermes
fisiologia Umana - Stuart ira Fox. Piccin
Contents
Human Physiology Program (3 CFU)
1. Introduction to physiology
General concepts
Organs and tissues
2. Physiology of the cell
Cell membrane and membrane proteins (structural proteins, receptors, enzymes, transport proteins)
Membrane transport
Cell communication and intracellular signaling pathways
Membrane potential
Action potential
3. Nervous system:
Central and peripheral nervous system
Structure and function of neurons
Graded potentials, action potentials and their propagation
Synapses and neurotransmitters
Somatosensory system: receptors and ascending pathways
Organization of the central nervous system: brainstem, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and spinal cord
Spinal reflexes (direct myotatic, reverse myotatic)
Voluntary movements and their control
Posture and its control (proprioceptive system, vestibular system and visual system)
Autonomic nervous system
4. Muscle physiology
Skeletal muscle
Organization of skeletal muscle tissue
Mechanism of contraction (excitation-contraction coupling)
Neuromuscular junction
Types of contraction
Determinants of muscle force
Determinants of shortening velocity
Muscle fiber types
Motor units and order of recruitment
Muscle heterogeneity and plasticity
Smooth muscle: characteristics and contraction mechanism
5. Cardiovascular System
Blood and its components, Blood Vessels and Heart
Functional properties of cardiac tissue
Electrical activity of the heart: pacemaker cells, conduction system, action potentials
Cardiac muscle cell contraction
Cardiac cycle: changes in atrial, ventricular, aortic pressure and ventricular volume
Cardiac output and its control
Structure and function of blood vessels.
6. Respiratory system
Basics of functional anatomy
Lung ventilation: pressure gradients, surfactant, resistance
Lung volumes
Ventilation per minute and alveolar ventilation
Gas exchanges
Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport
Haemoglobin dissociation curve
Nervous and chemical regulation of respiration
7. Renal physiology
Basics of functional anatomy and exchange processes
Glomerular filtration and its regulation
Reabsorption and secretion
Renal clearance
Water reabsorption (ADH hormone and Aldosterone)
Control of acid-base balance
8. Gastrointestinal System
Structure and organization of the gastrointestinal tract
Functions of the stomach and gastric juices in GI processes
Functions of the small intestine, pancreatic juices, and bile in digestive processes
Mechanisms of nutrient digestion and absorption
Regulation of gastrointestinal system activity
1. Introduction to physiology
General concepts
Organs and tissues
2. Physiology of the cell
Cell membrane and membrane proteins (structural proteins, receptors, enzymes, transport proteins)
Membrane transport
Cell communication and intracellular signaling pathways
Membrane potential
Action potential
3. Nervous system:
Central and peripheral nervous system
Structure and function of neurons
Graded potentials, action potentials and their propagation
Synapses and neurotransmitters
Somatosensory system: receptors and ascending pathways
Organization of the central nervous system: brainstem, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and spinal cord
Spinal reflexes (direct myotatic, reverse myotatic)
Voluntary movements and their control
Posture and its control (proprioceptive system, vestibular system and visual system)
Autonomic nervous system
4. Muscle physiology
Skeletal muscle
Organization of skeletal muscle tissue
Mechanism of contraction (excitation-contraction coupling)
Neuromuscular junction
Types of contraction
Determinants of muscle force
Determinants of shortening velocity
Muscle fiber types
Motor units and order of recruitment
Muscle heterogeneity and plasticity
Smooth muscle: characteristics and contraction mechanism
5. Cardiovascular System
Blood and its components, Blood Vessels and Heart
Functional properties of cardiac tissue
Electrical activity of the heart: pacemaker cells, conduction system, action potentials
Cardiac muscle cell contraction
Cardiac cycle: changes in atrial, ventricular, aortic pressure and ventricular volume
Cardiac output and its control
Structure and function of blood vessels.
6. Respiratory system
Basics of functional anatomy
Lung ventilation: pressure gradients, surfactant, resistance
Lung volumes
Ventilation per minute and alveolar ventilation
Gas exchanges
Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport
Haemoglobin dissociation curve
Nervous and chemical regulation of respiration
7. Renal physiology
Basics of functional anatomy and exchange processes
Glomerular filtration and its regulation
Reabsorption and secretion
Renal clearance
Water reabsorption (ADH hormone and Aldosterone)
Control of acid-base balance
8. Gastrointestinal System
Structure and organization of the gastrointestinal tract
Functions of the stomach and gastric juices in GI processes
Functions of the small intestine, pancreatic juices, and bile in digestive processes
Mechanisms of nutrient digestion and absorption
Regulation of gastrointestinal system activity
Course Language
Italian
More information
The Professor can be contacted via email and receives students at his office located in the headquarters of the Department of Molecular Medicine of the University of Pavia, via Forlanini 6, 27100 Pavia. Please reserve an appointment in advance
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