THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING

Course objectives

Anatomy: To know the general systematic and structural organization of the normal human body from the tissue level to the systematic level, in particular the skeletal system and organs of the various systems. General physiology: The General Physiology course is mainly focused on cellular physiology and the concept of homeostasis, essential for survival. The course aims to: 1) provide students with the fundamentals of general and cellular physiology 2) to acquire the specific language of this discipline. Expected learning outcomes At the end of the course the student must have acquired a series of theoretical knowledge to understand the basic mechanisms of cellular functioning, with particular attention to the role of the plasma membrane in transport processes, in the maintenance of membrane potential and in cell excitability. . KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABILITY The student must demonstrate that he has acquired basic notions of cell physiology, but also that he has understood the causal links between specific stimuli and the biological processes that work for the maintenance of homeostasis. They will also have knowledge about the mechanisms of response to nerve stimuli. JUDGMENT AUTONOMY the student must be able to comment and discuss in a critical and autonomous way the data and research themes dealt with in the scientific literature, related to the course. COMMUNICATION SKILLS The student must demonstrate a correct and timely use of specialized terminology when he exposes contents in the physiological field and a logical and sequential analysis of the cause / effect sequences of physiological processes.

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LAURA MAGGI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Cell Physiology General information on the structure of the cell. Concept of homeostasis. The physiology of the plasma membrane: function, membrane transport (osmosis, diffusion, active transport) . Ion channels. Molecular and functional organization of ion channels. Voltage-gated channels Membrane potential. Electrical properties of the membranes. Ionic equilibria . Electrochemical equilibrium and the Nernst equation. Distribution of ions across the plasma membrane. Transmembrane potential. Goldmann equation Passive electrical properties of the membranes. Capacity and conductance. Equation of Hodgkin and Huxley Nervous System Organization, nerve cells -Action potential General characteristics of excitability. Excitable membranes. Ionic bases of the action potential Theory of the cable. Time constant. Space constant. Passive propagation of electrical signals. Mode of propagation in myelinated fibers. Velocity of propagation and factors affecting it . synapses -Electrical synapses. Chemical synapses. Synaptic transmission at the muscolar junction and in the central nervous system. Mechanism of neurotransmitter release: the quantum nature of the release. Synaptic Vesicle cycle. Receptor ligand- activated: ionotropic and metabotropic. Synaptic plasticity -Patch-clamp and imaging techniques Skeletal Muscle Excitation- contraction.
Prerequisites
For the understanding of the topics covered in this course it is necessary to have basic knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology, biochemistry
Books
Fisiologia” D’Angelo, Peres, Edi-Ermes Conti (primo volume) Berne e Levy, Sherwood,
Frequency
the student is required to attend the educational activities. The attendance is verified by the teachers through signature sheets/appeals on updated lists provided by the Teaching Secretariat. The certificate of attendance to the compulsory teaching activities of a Teaching Course is necessary for the student to take the relevant exam
Exam mode
The oral exam will be held in the official exam sessions. There will be the possibility to make a written exemption at the end of the course with 3 open questions.
Lesson mode
Teaching will be provided in the presence. There will be days of reverse teaching, in-depth analysis, and group work.
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseBiotechnologies
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDBIO/09
  • CFU3