Cellular physiology
Homeostasis. Biophysics of the cell membrane (permeability and transport). Membrane potentials: resting, electrotonic, action potentials. Propagation of potentials. The synapses.
Nervous and muscular system
Functional organization of the nervous system. Autonomous and somatic motor system: innervations, neurotransmitters and receptors, functions of autonomic nervous system. The neuromuscular junction. Skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle physiology: mechanical aspect of the muscular contraction.
Cardiovascular system
The common myocardium and the specific myocardium. The electrical activity of the heart: cardiac pacemakers and conduction system. ECG. Cardiac action potentials and excitation-contraction coupling. Heart as pump: mechanical properties and mechanical events of cardiac cycle. Intrinsic and extrinsic regulation of cardiac contractility. Blood pressure and sphygmic wave. Systolic, diastolic and differential pressure, direct and indirect measurements of arterial pressure. The laws of hydrostatics and hemodynamics. Functional organization of vessel system and properties of vascular wall. Control and regulation of vascular system. Local and metabolic controls. Starling principles. Nervous and endocrine controls of arterial pressure.
Respiratory system
Structure and function of the respiratory system. Respiratory mechanics. Ventilation-perfusion ratio. Respiratory centers and breathing control (nervous, chemoceptive and mechanoceptive). Respiratory indexes: lung volumes and capacity. Alveolar exchanges and transport of gases in the blood.
The kidney
The nephron. Filtration, re-absorption, secretion and excretion processes. The functions of the kidney (endocrine, control in hydro-saline and acid-base balance).