Lecturer: Elda Scherini   Franco Tanzi  

Course name: Applied Biology and Physiology
Course code: 503183
Degree course: Bioingegneria
Disciplinary field of science: BIO/06 - BIO/09
The course relates to:
University credits: CFU 6
Course website: http://www-3.unipv.it/webtanzi/

Specific course objectives

Applied Physiology (Franco Tanzi). The course will focus on 1) the mechanisms allowing information exchange between the environment and living organisms, 2) a few specific functions: skeletal muscle contraction, the heart contraction, the visual system, the auditory system.

Course programme

Both modules are held in the first semester. Biology is the first module.

Applied Physiology

• Basic concepts of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
• Molecules exchange across plasma membrane.
• Ionic channels.
• Equilibrium potential and membrane potential.
• Action potentials.
• Chemical communication.
• Synaptic transmission.
• Sensory receptors.
• The heart.
• The skeletal muscle contraction.
• The visual system.
• The auditory system.

Course entry requirements

Applied Physiology: Basic concepts in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics.

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

Widmaier, Raff and Strang. Vander's Human Physiology. McGraw-Hill.

Testing and exams

Written examination, possibly followed by oral one.