INTRODUCTION TO PHYSIOLOGY AND HOMEOSTASIS: Description of physiological mechanisms. Structure-Function relationships of the body. Levels of organization in the body. Concept of Homeostasis. Positive and negative feedback circuits. Homeostatic Control Systems.
CELL PHYSIOLOGY AND EXCITABLE TISSUES: Membrane transport of ions and molecules. Membrane potential and action potentials. Synapses and neuronal integration. Intercellular communication and signal transduction. Neurotransmitters. Motor unit, neuromuscular junctions. Excitation and contraction of skeletal muscle tissue. Skeletal muscle contraction and mechanics. Physiology of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle.
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: Functional organization of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system: afferent and efferent divisions. Role of glia cells. Autonomic nervous system. Integrative functions of nervous system. Sensory physiology: role of the somatosensory system, taste and smell in nutrition.
CARDIAC PHYSIOLOGY: Anatomy and electrical activity of the heart. Mechanical events of the cardiac cycle. Cardiac output and its control. General principles of hemodynamics. Blood vessels and blood pressure. Features and functions of the blood.
PHYSIOLOGY OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: Respiratory anatomy and mechanic. Gas exchange and transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Control of respiration.
PHYSIOLOGY OF URINARY SYSTEM: Elements of renal function: kidney and nephron. Glomerular filtration. Tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion. Urinary tract. Ureter, bladder and urethra. Urine excretion and plasma clearance. Urination.
FLUID AND ACID-BASE BALANCE: Body-fluid compartments. Control of extracellular fluid volume and osmolarity by regulating salt and water balances. Sources of protons and consequences of variations of the concentration of protons. Chemical buffer systems. Respiratory and urinary control of pH.
PHYSIOLOGY OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Digestive tract and accessory digestive organs. General aspects of digestion. Secretory function of digestive system. Motility of digestive tract. Nutrient digestion and absorption. Hepatobiliary function.
METABOLISM AND ENERGY BALANCE: Introduction to Metabolism, Nutrition, and Energetics: catabolism, and anabolism. Glycolysis and aerobic metabolism. The pathways involved in lipid metabolism, and the mechanisms of lipid transport and distribution. The main processes of protein metabolism, and the use of protein as an energy source. Differences between the absorptive and postabsorptive metabolic states. Definition of metabolic rate and individual’s BMR. Thermal regulation.
PHYSIOLOGY OF ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: General principles of endocrinology. Principles of general functioning of hormones. Central and peripheral endocrine glands and their hormones. Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis. Control of calcium and phosphate metabolism.

Berne & Levy “Fisiologia”
Sherwood, “Fondamenti di Fisiologia Umana”
Silverthorn, “Fisiologia Umana: Un Approccio Integrato”

Students will also have access to the learning material produced by professors as an integration to videolectures.

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSIOLOGY AND HOMEOSTASIS: Description of physiological mechanisms. Structure-Function relationships of the body. Levels of organization in the body. Concept of Homeostasis. Positive and negative feedback circuits. Homeostatic Control Systems.
CELL PHYSIOLOGY AND EXCITABLE TISSUES: Membrane transport of ions and molecules. Membrane potential and action potentials. Synapses and neuronal integration. Intercellular communication and signal transduction. Neurotransmitters. Motor unit, neuromuscular junctions. Excitation and contraction of skeletal muscle tissue. Skeletal muscle contraction and mechanics. Physiology of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle.
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: Functional organization of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system: afferent and efferent divisions. Role of glia cells. Autonomic nervous system. Integrative functions of nervous system. Sensory physiology: role of the somatosensory system, taste and smell in nutrition.
CARDIAC PHYSIOLOGY: Anatomy and electrical activity of the heart. Mechanical events of the cardiac cycle. Cardiac output and its control. General principles of hemodynamics. Blood vessels and blood pressure. Features and functions of the blood.
PHYSIOLOGY OF RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: Respiratory anatomy and mechanic. Gas exchange and transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Control of respiration.
PHYSIOLOGY OF URINARY SYSTEM: Elements of renal function: kidney and nephron. Glomerular filtration. Tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion. Urinary tract. Ureter, bladder and urethra. Urine excretion and plasma clearance. Urination.
FLUID AND ACID-BASE BALANCE: Body-fluid compartments. Control of extracellular fluid volume and osmolarity by regulating salt and water balances. Sources of protons and consequences of variations of the concentration of protons. Chemical buffer systems. Respiratory and urinary control of pH.
PHYSIOLOGY OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Digestive tract and accessory digestive organs. General aspects of digestion. Secretory function of digestive system. Motility of digestive tract. Nutrient digestion and absorption. Hepatobiliary function.
METABOLISM AND ENERGY BALANCE: Introduction to Metabolism, Nutrition, and Energetics: catabolism, and anabolism. Glycolysis and aerobic metabolism. The pathways involved in lipid metabolism, and the mechanisms of lipid transport and distribution. The main processes of protein metabolism, and the use of protein as an energy source. Differences between the absorptive and postabsorptive metabolic states. Definition of metabolic rate and individual’s BMR. Thermal regulation.
PHYSIOLOGY OF ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: General principles of endocrinology. Principles of general functioning of hormones. Central and peripheral endocrine glands and their hormones. Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis. Control of calcium and phosphate metabolism.

Berne & Levy “Fisiologia”
Sherwood, “Fondamenti di Fisiologia Umana”
Silverthorn, “Fisiologia Umana: Un Approccio Integrato”

Students will also have access to the learning material produced by professors as an integration to videolectures.