PHYSIOLOGY

General Module

Course Sheet

Course code:

TO12A4A

Academic Year of enrolment:

2022

Year of supply:

2022/2023

Type of Course:

Basic

Degree:

Course of 1st Cycle Degree in OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Disciplinary Sector:

PHYSIOLOGY

Is part of:

MORFO-GENETIC SCIENCES OF PREVENTION IN T.O.

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

PAOLINI CECILIA

Cycle:

Second semester

Obligatory attendance:

Yes

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

Prerequisites:

Knowledge of the basic principles of basic biological sciences: biology, anatomy, histology, biochemistry and physics.
To take the final exam of the Integrated Course it is necessary, on the basis of the prerequisites provided for by the didactic regulation, to have previously passed the Basic Biological Sciences exam (TOC11A2). It is advised, but not obligatory, to have also taken the Basic Propedeutical Sciences (TOC11A1).

Objectives

The aim of the course is to have general organizational principles at the base of the physiological functions and their integration.
The student must know the fundamental principles of physical phenomena, integrating the knowledge transmitted by previous courses (biology, histology, physics and biochemistry).
The teaching also has the task of defining the aspects of a control process on the human organism, to allow an in-depth knowledge of the functional characteristics of human personnel for carrying out the profession of occupational therapist.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the course the student must, therefore, have acquired a series of theoretical knowledge and skills that allow the understanding of the cellular mechanisms that are at the base of the functioning of the major apparatuses and organs that make up the human organism.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING CAPACITY
The student must demonstrate that he has acquired basic notions of cell, organ and apparatus 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 to have knowledge about the mechanisms of response to different stresses.

CAPACITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Given an initial situation and a perturbation of this state, the student will be able to predict and describe the response mechanisms and whether such responses are sufficient or not to maintain homeostasis.

JUDGMENT AUTONOMY
The student must have acquired such knowledge as to enable him to describe the mechanisms underlying the functions dealt with and to be able to evaluate in an autonomous and motivated way possible different opinions on any problematic aspects.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
The student must demonstrate 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.

LEARNING ABILITY
The student will have to develop learning skills useful for understanding the main physiological mechanisms and applying them in the experimental field in the future disciplines of the Course of Studies.

Contents

1. Introduction to Physiology.
2. Physiology of Skeletal and Smooth Muscle.
3. Physiology of the Cardiovascular System.

Extended Syllabus

1. INTRODUCTION TO PHYSIOLOGY
1.1 Definition of Physiology and its areas of interest; concept of internal and external environment for the cell and for the organism; concept of homeostasis.
1.2 Relationship structure-function of physiological systems.

2. PHYSIOLOGY OF MUSCLE APPARATUS
2.1 The three types of muscle in our body: skeletal, cardiac and smooth; general structure.
2.2 Skeletal Muscle: anatomy. Molecular basis of contraction: general structure of skeletal muscle fibers: myofibrils, sarcomeres, and membrane systems.
2.3 The excitation-contraction (EC) coupling mechanism and the transduction of the electrical into a chemical signal; transversal tubules and sarcoplasmic reticulum; the voltage sensor (DHPR); the Ca2+-release channel of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (RYR); the triad or calcium release unit.
2.4 The sarcomere; the main sarcomeric proteins: contractile, regulatory and accessory; role of troponin and tropomyosin in the activation of the contraction; myosin head cycle; tension-length regulation curve of the sarcomere.
2.5 Classification of muscle fibers based on metabolism and speed of contraction; structural and functional differences between slow, intermediate and fast fibers; classification of fibers in red and white; concept of motor unit and motor unit recruitment; relationship between electrical and mechanical events; single twitch, summation mechanism, incomplete and complete tetanus; definition of fatigue; isometric and isotonic contractions (and role of elastic and contractile components). Muscle strength graduation mechanisms. Muscle plasticity.

3. PHYSIOLOGY OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
3.1 Introduction to the cardiovascular system: anatomy and general functions.
3.2 The heart: pacemaker and contractile tissues; contractile myocardial cells and intercalated disks; the conduction system; the action potential of pacemaker cells; the action potential of contractile cells; the cardiac cycle explained with the 5 phases; the cardiac cycle explained with the pressure-volume curve of the left ventricle; cardiac output; Frank-Starling's law.
3.3 Large and small circulation; arterial pressure and its measurement (concept of systolic and diastolic pressure); mean arterial pressure and factors affecting it; structure of blood vessels: differences between arteries and veins; the role of arteries and veins in helping the heart to pump blood; regulation of arterial pressure and baroceptor reflex.

Recommended Bibliography

The student will find and study the topics covered in class (listed in detail in the extended program, see below) in several books of Human Physiology available on the market. Following some of the textbooks among which the student could choose:
1. “Fisiologia” Carbone, Aicardi e Maggi, Casa Editrice Edises.
2. "Principi di Fisiologia” Zocchi, Casa Editrice Edises.
3. "Fisiologia Umana: un approccio integrato” Silverthorn, Casa Editrice Pearson.
4. "Visual Anatomia e Fisiologia" Martini, Ober, Nath Bartholomew and Petti, Casa Editrice Piccin.
5. "Anatomia e Fisiologia" K.S. Saladin, Casa Editrice Piccin.
6. “Fisiologia generale ed umana” Rhoades & Pflanzer, Casa Editrice Piccin.
7. “Fisiologia” Stanfield, Casa Editrice Edises.
8. “Vander - Fisiologia” Widmaier, Raff and Strang, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
9. “Berne & Levy Fisiologia” Koepen and Stanton, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.

Teaching Methods

The teaching is structured in 20 hours of frontal teaching, divided into 10 lessons of 2 hours each according to the educational calendar. The frontal teaching will be supported by the projection of slides made in PowerPoint by the teacher and by films related to the topics covered that will make it easier to understand the development of some physiological processes.
Attendance is mandatory.
Those who do not reach the percentage of presence established by the Degree Course Council, will have to agree with the coordinator the methods of recovery, when possible.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The learning outcomes will be duly verified by the teacher in different ways:
- in the classroom during the lessons with the proposal of questions and/or discussion on the topics covered, also highlighting the basic points to arrive at correct answers during the final oral exam;
- an oral examination during the exam.
The final exam can be supported after obtaining the attendance at the course, having enrolled in one of the appeals on the ESSE3 platform and whose periodicity is defined by the Didactic Regulations.
The oral test will evaluate the knowledge of the topics covered in teaching, the use of specific terminology, the ability to organize a coherent and organic speech and the ability to reason critically on the topics covered in class.
The result of the examination is expressed in thirtieths. The oral discussion focuses on questions in which the student must demonstrate:
- a sufficient but incomplete basic knowledge (score 18-22/30);
- a discrete knowledge with the ability to clearly illustrate the topics (score 23-25/30);
- good ability to illustrate the topics with ownership of language and mastery of the subject (score 26-28/30);
- excellent knowledge of the matter moving with ease from one subject to another contextualizing any interconnections and / or differences (score 28-30/30).
The laude is reserved to those who also show particular interest and knowledge of functional aspects, with high communication skills, autonomous learning and connection between the topics.
The final score of the Integrated Course is an average of the scores obtained in the modules that constitute the Integrated Course itself and the exam is considered passed with a minimum score resulting from the score average of at least 18/30.

Contacts/More Information

Meeting the teacher will require fixing an appointment by telephone to the number 0871-541507 or by email:
cecilia.paolini@unich.it

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

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