FISIOLOGIA UMANA 2

1. Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, the student will be able to describe and explain the mechanisms by which the organism maintains internal homeostasis in response to changes in the surrounding environment. In particular, the student will be able to understand the integrated functioning of organs, organ systems, and control systems; describe the general principles of endocrinology and the regulatory mechanisms of autonomic functions; and illustrate the neurobiological foundations of sensory and motor functions, as well as the cognitive and emotional interactions between the organism and the environment.

 Link to assessment: the acquisition of knowledge and understanding will be assessed via an oral examination, using questions designed to verify knowledge of the course content, understanding of physiological mechanisms, and the ability to describe the integrated functioning of organs, organ systems, and physiological systems.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

The student will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to interpret key physiological regulatory mechanisms and analyze the functional relationships between the organism's various systems. Furthermore, the student will be able to use physiological knowledge to understand the functional consequences of alterations to normal homeostatic mechanisms and their significance in the context of pharmacological approaches.

Link to assessment: this ability will be assessed during the oral examination through questions requiring the student to apply acquired knowledge to the interpretation of physiological phenomena and to establish functional connections between the organism's various systems.

3. Making judgements

The student will be able to analyze, integrate, and interpret information regarding various physiological processes, recognizing the relationships between cellular mechanisms, organ functions, and the organism's integrated responses. Furthermore, the student will be able to critically evaluate experimental results and observations in the fields of physiology and neuroscience, understanding their potential implications in biomedical and translational contexts.

 Assessment link: The ability to make judgements will be evaluated during the oral exam through questions requiring the analysis and integration of different physiological mechanisms, as well as the critical interpretation of phenomena and—where relevant—experimental evidence.

4. Communication skills

The student will be able to explain and discuss key physiological mechanisms using appropriate scientific terminology, describing the functional relationships between cells, organs, organ systems, and control systems in a logical and coherent manner.

Assessment link: Communication skills will be assessed during the oral exam by evaluating the clarity and organization of the presentation, the ability to construct an argument, the logical flow of the discussion, and the appropriate use of the discipline's scientific terminology.

5. Learning skills

The student will be able to independently deepen their understanding of the physiology topics covered during the course, integrating the knowledge acquired with that from other biomedical and pharmacological disciplines. Additionally, the student will be able to critically interpret new information and experimental research results, recognizing the role of physiology as a discipline that integrates basic, pharmacological, and translational research.

Assessment link: Learning skills will be evaluated based on the student's ability to draw connections between different topics in the syllabus, integrate prior knowledge with knowledge acquired during the course, and independently synthesize and process the material covered.

The course is primarily delivered through direct instruction (Didattica Erogativa), consisting of lectures supported by multimedia presentations and explanatory diagrams. Interactive teaching activities (Didattica Interattiva) include guided discussions, analysis of physiological examples, problem-solving based on clinical cases involving pharmacological approaches, and the interpretation of graphs and clinical data (e.g., ECGs, hormonal adaptations); these activities aim to foster active student engagement and the development of physiological reasoning skills. The various teaching methods work together to achieve the intended learning outcomes by integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application skills.

Should the course be delivered in a hybrid or remote format, necessary adjustments to the methods described above may be introduced to ensure the planned curriculum outlined in this syllabus is fully covered.

1) SENSORY PHYSIOLOGY:

- Sensory systems and perception.

- Sensory receptors: classification, sensory modality, threshold, adaptation. Receptive fields.

- Epicritic sensitivity (touch and kinesthesia) and protopathic sensitivity (thermal and pain).

- The ear and auditory function: sound transmission to the inner ear. The cochlea and the process of sound stimulus transduction. Auditory cortex.

- The eye and vision: optical properties of the eye. The retina and the process of phototransduction. Visual cortex.

- Vestibular reflexes. Motion sickness. Eye movements.

- Chemical senses: taste and smell. Central pathways and mechanisms.

2) ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

- Definition and classification of hormones. Biosynthesis, secretion, transport, activation, and inactivation of hormones. Mechanisms of hormone action.

- Hypothalamus-pituitary axis.

- The endocrine pancreas and blood glucose regulation.

- Adrenal gland and stress responses. Functions of cortisol.

- Growth hormone and metabolic correlations.

- Thyroid hormones and their functions. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

- Phospho-calcium metabolism: calcium and phosphate metabolism; bone physiology. Parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and vitamin D—their functions and interactions. Other hormones regulating mineral and bone homeostasis.

According to the RDA, Art. 12 - University Educational Credits (CFU). The standard 25-hour workload of the student, corresponding to one credit, may include:

a) 7 hours dedicated to lectures or equivalent teaching activities and the remainder to individual study;

b) at least 12 and no more than 15 hours dedicated to classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (laboratories) and the remainder to study and research.

Carbone, Aicardi, Maggi - FISIOLOGIA  EdiSES 

Stanfield - FISIOLOGIA  EdiSES

Silverthorn - FISIOLOGIA  Pearson Italia

Competence assessment will take place via an individual oral interview (lasting approximately 20–25 minutes) designed to verify knowledge of the topics covered in the course. Depending on the number of candidates, the examination may be spread over several days according to a schedule determined on the day of the roll call or, if possible, in advance based on received bookings. In such cases, the schedule will be duly publicized. The individual interview will assess: knowledge of course content and the ability to apply this knowledge in an educational context; the capacity for independent reflection, clear presentation, and critical synthesis; and the use of language appropriate to the specific discipline. Grades will be awarded on a scale of 30, ranging from 18/30 to 30/30 *cum laude*, based on the level of knowledge, competence, and skills demonstrated.

Exam not passed: the student struggles to navigate the course content, and their preparation reveals gaps in understanding and the inappropriate use of scientific terminology.

Grade 18–21: corresponds to a performance demonstrating limited and superficial knowledge of the course content, a reduced capacity for critical analysis and in-depth understanding, and an imprecise use of scientific terminology.

Grade 22–25: corresponds to a performance demonstrating generally adequate knowledge of the course content (or knowledge that is primarily based on rote memorization), a moderate capacity for critical analysis and in-depth understanding, and appropriate use of scientific terminology.

Grade 26–28: corresponds to an exam performance demonstrating in-depth, organized, and precise knowledge of the course content, mastery of scientific terminology, and strong critical and analytical skills. Grade 29–30 with honors: this grade corresponds to an exam performance demonstrating in-depth knowledge of physiology topics, characterized by the integration of concepts and excellent communication skills and command of language.

Assessment of learning outcomes may also be conducted online, should circumstances require it.

Exam dates are published on the Degree Programme website:

https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND/OR SPECIFIC LEARNING DISORDERS (SLD)

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti) and referring teacher (prof.ssa Santina Chiechio email: santina.chiechio@unict.it) within of department.

The questions will cover the full range of topics listed in the syllabus.

Examples of questions include:

1) Reflex motor activity.

2) The eye and phototransduction.

3) Thyroid hormones and their physiological effects.