Environmental Sciences

The Animal Physiology module aims to provide cellular and molecular bases to understand physiological mechanisms governing the function of animals’ major tissues and organs. Program will focus particularly on the relationship between structure and function and on the evolutional and physiological adaptations of the major organs. Specific learning objectives are: - knowledge of the organization and structure of the animal cell; - understanding the functions of the major classes of biomolecules (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates); - study of the processes involved in the transport and exchange of the major solutes and organic molecules between the animal cells and the environment; - study of the mechanisms behind the regulation and maintenance of tissue and cell homeostasis; - study of the mechanisms governing inter-cellular communications (chemical and electrical) - studio dei meccanismi di comunicazione (chimica e elettrica) inter-cellulare; - understanding the function and organization of the major animals’ tissues and organs. A) Knowledge and ability to understand Students who have passed the exam will be able to know and understand: - the structure of the animal cell and the function of the major biomolecules; - the chemical-physical bases of the transports’ mechanisms of the major organic solutes and molecules across the plasma membrane and the processes to maintain cell homeostasis; - the electric properties of excitable cells’ plasma membrane and the mechanisms of electric stimuli propagation and transmission; - the cellular and molecular processes at the basis of muscle tissues physiology; - the physical properties of the heart and circulatory system; - the chemical-physical bases of respiratory physiology; - kydney’s functions and their role in the maintenance of systemic homeostasis; - biochemical bases of major biomolecules metabolism and adsorption. B) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding Students who have passed the exam will have adequate skills to: - describe the main features of an animal and the functions of bio-molecules; - critically discuss the chemical-physical principles underlying transports’ mechanisms of the major organic solutes and molecules across the plasma membrane and their importance to maintain cell homeostasis; - understand and critically discuss the cellular mechanisms behind the function of the major organic systems described; - describe and critically discuss the regulatory mechanisms to maintain organismal homeostasis; - describe and critically discuss the environmental factors influencing the major physiological processes in animals. C) Making judgments (making judgments) - At the end of the course the students will acquire critical judgment skills on key aspects in the field of animal physiology. This would be done following the lessons, through the study of scientific texts and by performing small laboratory’s experiences. D) Communication skills - At the end of the course students will be able to communicate, even to non-specialists’ audience, acquired knowledges through the use of technical and scientific languages, also by the use of graphic elements. E) Learning skills (learning skills) - Students will be able to critically interpret and deepen basic physiological issues also through the use of bibliographic databases and attending seminars and work’s groups.