Human Physiology Single channel

Chair (Coordinator) and Rapporteur: N/D

Module 1: Human Physiology I

Activity type
Funzioni biologiche integrate di organi, sistemi e apparati umani
SSD
BIO/09
Year
N/D
Semester
N/D
CFU
7
Hours distribution
84 classroom hours
Lecturers

Module 2: Human Physiology II

Activity type
Funzioni biologiche integrate di organi, sistemi e apparati umani
SSD
BIO/09
Year
N/D
Semester
N/D
CFU
3
Hours distribution
36 classroom hours
Lecturers

Module 3: Human Physiology III

Activity type
Funzioni biologiche integrate di organi, sistemi e apparati umani
SSD
BIO/09
Year
N/D
Semester
N/D
CFU
8
Hours distribution
96 classroom hours
Lecturers
CRISTINA LIMATOLA
CARMINE SAVOIA
FRANCESCA GRASSI

Objectives

Main teaching objectives:
At the end of the course, students must know the function of the organs in the human body; the dynamical integration of the various organs into systems; the general mechanisms of functional control under normal conditions; the normal values of the main functional parameters in healthy humans; the medical application of biophysical and biotechnological principles. They must also know some of the techniques used to measure physiological parameters.

Learning outcomes

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III
At the end of the course, the student should understand the homeostatic mechanisms regulating vegetative functions, the principles underlying cellular physiology, and the function of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle. They should be able to describe the different phases of the cardiac cycle, cardiac mechanics, the electrocardiogram, and the heart's electrical activity. They should understand the mechanisms underlying the regulation of cardiac output and venous return, be able to describe the laws of circulation, and know the mechanisms involved in the regulation of arterial pressure, the microcirculation, and the lymphatic system. Additionally, they should understand the organization of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in relation to their modulation of the cardiovascular system.

Prerequisites

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III
Having completed the exams required by the degree program. It is recommended that the human anatomy exam be taken beforehand.

Programme

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III
Cell Physiology and Biophysics
- What physiology studies. Concept of homeostasis. Body fluids.
- The cell as a basic unit: electrical parameters of the cell membrane and equivalent circuits; resting potential; action potential. - Voltage-dependent ion channels. - Biophysical methods for studying membrane electrical events.
- Neurotransmitters
- Electrical synapses: structure and function. - Chemical synapses. Spontaneous and evoked transmitter release. Synaptic potential; spatial and temporal summation. The neuromuscular junction.
- Membrane receptors: Families of ionotropic receptors: structural similarities and functional peculiarities. - Metabotropic receptor families: structural similarities and functional diversity. - Second messenger systems and signal transduction. Synaptic activity and cognitive and mnemonic processes.
- Muscle Physiology
The muscle: structure and function of the various types of muscle. - The contraction of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle.
- Blood cell physiology
The general functions of blood. - The constituents of blood: plasma, erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets. Hemostasis.
- Ortho- and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system.
Respiratory and cardiovascular centers
- Physiology of the heart and blood circulation
Laws of fluid mechanics applied to blood circulation. Blood pressure and peripheral resistance. The heart: physiological aspects of the myocardium; the cardiac cycle. Cardiac output and venous return. Myocardial excitation and impulse conduction; mechanisms of nerve control. - The electrocardiogram. - Microcirculation and lymphatic system: Exchanges between blood and tissues. - Control of blood flow and blood pressure. Methods of blood pressure measurement.


Books

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III
Medical Physiology Guyton and Hall
Medical Physiology Boron and Boulpalep
Medical Physiology Berne and Levy

Bibliography

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III
N/D

Lessons mode

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III
Traditional in-class lecture. At the end of the lessons, a multiple-choice self-assessment test will be administered and reviewed in class with the instructor.

Frequency

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III
Attendance is mandatory and must be certified by signature; attendance is required for at least 66% of the lessons.

Exam mode

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III
The student will be assessed through questions related to the program covered (three to five questions). Answers will be considered adequate if the student can demonstrate an understanding of the mechanisms underlying the functioning of the cells, tissues and organs described in this part of the course, and an understanding of their functional regulation for the purpose of maintaining homeostasis.

Example exam questions

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III
Describe the cardiac cycle
Mechanisms for controlling venous return and Guyton diagram
Describe the laws of circulation
Describe the mechanisms for controlling arterial pressure
Functions of the microcirculation, Starling’s law
Describe the difference between turbulent flow and laminar flow in the circulatory system
Describe the mechanisms for regulating heart rate by the autonomic nervous system

Arguments

Module: Human Physiology I
N/D
Module: Human Physiology II
N/D
Module: Human Physiology III

  • What
    is
    physiology?
    –homeostasis 

  • Body
    fluids and their regulation

  • Cell membranes
    and transport mechanisms 

  • Physiology of ion channels 

  • Membrane potential and action potential in excitable cells

  • Synaptic transmission

  •  Skeletal Muscle physiology

  • Smooth muscle physiology

  • Cardiac Muscle: functional properties

  • Blood functions 

  • Mechanic of cardiac muscle 

  • Autonomic nervous system 

  • Heart electric activity 

  • Electrocardiography 

  • Alterations of the electrocardiogram (Prof. Carmine Savoia)

  • Cardiac Output 

  • Arterial system 

  • Circulation: physical laws

  • Local circulation: the heart (Prof. Carmine Savoia)

  • Venous system and venous return. Guyton's diagrams

  • Arterial pressure and its regulation

  • Microcirculation

  • Lymphatic system


  • Academic year2026/2027
  • Degree program to which the course belongsMedicine and Surgery "F"
  • Languageeng
  • CFU18 CFU, distributed among 3 integrated didactic modules
  • Total duration216 hours