FISIOLOGIA GENERALE E AMBIENTALE

Oral Examination. The assessment of learning may also be conducted online, should conditions require it. Evaluation is expressed on a scale of thirty. The examinee will be required to answer a minimum of three to four questions covering all parts of the syllabus. The student must demonstrate, with appropriate clarity and argumentation skills, an organic knowledge and understanding of the course content. The evaluation criteria are as follows:

i) Excellent (grade 30–30 with honors): thorough knowledge and understanding of the topics, excellent command of language, and advanced ability to apply knowledge to the resolution of proposed problems;

ii) Good (grade 26–29): good mastery of the topics and appropriate use of language, with a solid ability to apply acquired knowledge to problem-solving;

iii) Fair (grade 22–25): adequate knowledge of the course content, though lacking full understanding of its more complex aspects, and limited ability to autonomously apply knowledge to solve the proposed problems;

iv) Sufficient (grade 18–21): superficial understanding of the program, minimal basic knowledge of the topics, difficulties in solving exercises and problems, and limited language proficiency;

v) Insufficient: lack of understanding of the basic topics, limited and fragmented knowledge of the course content.

Students with disabilities or neurodiversity will be provided with compensatory tools and exemption measures as identified by CInAP – Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion of the University of Catania, based on their specific needs and in accordance with current regulations.

Cellular Membranes
Composition, organization, structural asymmetries – Intercellular junctions.

Exchange Between Cells and the Environment
Simple diffusion across membranes – Channel-mediated diffusion: channel selectivity, leakage channels (always open) and gated channels (with gates), water channels (aquaporins) – Mediated transport: membrane carriers, facilitated diffusion, primary and secondary active transport – Water movement across membranes: osmosis – Vesicular transport: phagocytosis, pinocytosis, exocytosis – Exchanges across epithelia.

Ion Flows and Electrical Effects
Ionic equilibria – Diffusion potential and equilibrium potential – Electrical properties of membranes – Generation of membrane potential.

Excitable Cells
Action potential characteristics: refractoriness, accommodation – Signal conduction along nerve fibers: speed, myelination – Membrane electrical properties of pacemaker and non-pacemaker cardiac fibers – Skeletal and smooth muscle fibers: electrical, mechanical, and metabolic aspects of contraction – The role of Ca²⁺ ions in muscle contraction.

Cell-to-Cell Communication
Mechanisms, modulation, and control of endocrine communication: hormones, receptors, second messengers – Synaptic communication: electrical and chemical synapses, pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, spatial and temporal summation, plasticity (LTP and LTD) – Neuromuscular synapse.

Sensory Information Coding
Receptor complexes: classifications, definition of stimulus, threshold, and receptive field – Transduction and coding mechanisms – Receptor sensitivity – Spinal reflexes.

Control of Autonomic Functions
Organization of the nervous system – Integrated programs: hypothalamic functions.

Cardiovascular System
Blood: composition, functions, gas transport, hematopoiesis.

Hemodynamics (velocity, pressure, resistance, flow regimes) – Arterial functions: elastic properties, arterial pulse – Local and systemic control of peripheral resistance – Capillary exchange – Venous return.

Cardiac function: automaticity, mechanical and electrical properties, intrinsic and extrinsic regulation.

Ventilation
Ventilation in aquatic and terrestrial environments – Mechanical aspects of pulmonary ventilation: dead spaces, respiratory volumes, intrapleural and alveolar pressure, compliance, surface tension – Alveolar-capillary diffusion – Ventilation control: bulbar and pontine centers, intrinsic rhythmicity, chemical and mechanical regulation.

Internal Environment Regulation
Renal mechanisms: filtration, reabsorption, secretion – Excretion of metabolic waste – Water balance: urine concentration – Control of volume, osmolarity, and acid-base balance of body fluids.

Digestion
Digestive system: motility, secretions, and absorption – Exocrine pancreas – Role of bile – Neural and chemical control of gastrointestinal functions.

Reproductive System
Gonads, gametogenesis, sexual differentiation, physiology of the male and female reproductive systems, ovarian cycle, pregnancy, childbirth.

D.U. Silverthorn, Fisiologia umana, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana;

R. Hill, G. Wyse, M. Anderson, Fisiologia animale, Zanichelli;

D. Schimdt-Nielsen, Fisiologia animale, Piccin.

Oral Examination. The assessment of learning may also be conducted online, should conditions require it. Evaluation is expressed on a scale of thirty. The examinee will be required to answer a minimum of three to four questions covering all parts of the syllabus. The student must demonstrate, with appropriate clarity and argumentation skills, an organic knowledge and understanding of the course content. The evaluation criteria are as follows:

i) Excellent (grade 30–30 with honors): thorough knowledge and understanding of the topics, excellent command of language, and advanced ability to apply knowledge to the resolution of proposed problems;

ii) Good (grade 26–29): good mastery of the topics and appropriate use of language, with a solid ability to apply acquired knowledge to problem-solving;

iii) Fair (grade 22–25): adequate knowledge of the course content, though lacking full understanding of its more complex aspects, and limited ability to autonomously apply knowledge to solve the proposed problems;

iv) Sufficient (grade 18–21): superficial understanding of the program, minimal basic knowledge of the topics, difficulties in solving exercises and problems, and limited language proficiency;

v) Insufficient: lack of understanding of the basic topics, limited and fragmented knowledge of the course content.

Students with disabilities or neurodiversity will be provided with compensatory tools and exemption measures as identified by CInAP – Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion of the University of Catania, based on their specific needs and in accordance with current regulations.