Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences

Aims of the course At the end of the course the student will know the main structures of human body, the different cell types and their morpho-functional characteristics, the general structure of different tissue types, the function of apparati and their integrated physiological roles. The main objective is to provide to the future chemist/herborist with adequate knowledge needed to carry out knowingly their work. Specific Aims • Students must gain a deep knowledge of the physiology of the main apparati of humans and of their interactions • Students will have to be able to understand (grossly) the apparatus to which symptoms are referred to FRAME A4.b.2 The course will be structured in the following way: • Concept of Homeostasis  Role and mechanisms of homeostasis both at cellular and systemic level • Membrane Biophysics  Structure of the plasmatic cell membrane  Forces regulating transports across the membrane  Active and passive membrane transports, osmosis.  Endocytosis and exocitosis. • Nervous system Cellular level  Neural Tissue: neurons and glial cells  Structure of cells in the nervous system  Membrane resting potentials.  Build up of electrical signals: action potentials.  Conduction of electrical signals and function of myelin.  Synaptic transmission: electrical and chemical synapses. System level  Anatomo-physiological organization (meninges, cerebrospinal fluid and brain ventricular system, hematoencephalic barrier).  Localizations of brain functions  Brain representation of sensory stimuli (difference between sensation and perception). General organization of sensory systems  Somatosensory system  Visual System  Motor systems (pathways for voluntary and reflex movements control)  Posture • Skeletal muscles • Macroscopic anatomy, cellular and molecular structures, sarcomere • Mechanism of muscle contraction, • Coupling excitation-contraction • Signal stimulation and Tetanic stimulation • Methabolism of the muscle, types of muscles fibers, muscular fatigue • Autonomic nervous system.  General organization of Parasympathetic and Sympathetic system  Neurotransmitters, receptors, effects on targets • Endocrine System  Nature and action mechanisms of hormones.  Control system involving hypothalamus and Pituitary glands.  Pancreatic hormones: insulin and glucagon  Sexual hormones • Cardiovascular system Heart  Cardiac muscle  Myocardial excitation and impulse conduction (pacemakes cells).  Heart cycle, cardiac output.  Neural control of cardiac output Circulatory System  Laws of fluid mechanics applied to circulation.  Large and small circulation  Functions of capillaries (Starling forces, filtration absorption).  Arterial pressure and its neural control. Blood  General function of blood  Blood Elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes) • Respiratory system • Urinary System • Digestive System • Reproductive systems (hints) B. Knowledge and understanding Concept of Homeostasis The Student learn about the way in which internal chemical-physical values are kept constant despite internal or external variations Membrane Biophysics The Student learn about the basic functions of the plasmatic membrane and the laws regulating the transportation of materials throughout it. Nervous system The Student learn about the anatomical substrate and the physiological mechanisms of one of the two control systems of our organism. FRAME A4.c A. Independent Judgment During the course students will be ask to make questions in order to clarify doubts and curiosities. This way lecture will become a place where false beliefs and a priori ideas about the way our organism works will be unmasked. So that students will be able to understand what is the apparatus involved according to the refereed symptoms. B. Communication abilities During the course a precise and rigorous language will be taught. Students must understand and use it in order both to understand scientific reports of medium levels (e.g. course-books and articles of Scientific American) and to express correctly concepts inherent to physiology. C. Learning abilities The exam will be passed by the students who will exhibit a deep knowledge of physiology of th main apparatus and systems of human beings as well as of their interactions (both at cellular and macroscopic level)