| Code |
80011205 |
| CFU |
6 |
| Teacher |
Gina Cavaliere |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities |
Caratterizzante |
| Area |
Discipline biologiche e biomediche |
| Academic discipline |
BIO/09 |
| Type of study-unit |
Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction |
Italian |
| Contents |
Human body composition and nutritional requirements in the different ages and physiological conditions. Food nutritional quality and recommended daily servings/food pyramid. Rational diet, health promotion and major disease prevention. Nutritional status assessment and diet planning. |
| Reference texts |
Costantini Mariani A., Cannella C., Tomassi G. Alimentazione e Nutrizione Umana. 3°Edizione. Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore, 2016. Riccardi G., Pacioni D., Giacco A., Rivellese AA. Manuale di nutrizione applicata. V edizione, Idelson Gnocchi. Debellis L., Poli A. Alimentazione, Nutrizione e Salute. EdiSES, 2019. |
| Educational objectives |
The teaching objective is the ability acquisition 1) to plan a diet adequate to the different ages and physiological conditions 2) to educate the population on healthy and correct lifestyles, in order to promote health and to prevent major disease of our time. |
| Prerequisites |
To better understand the content and to achieve the objective of teaching, it is desirable that, at the beginning of the lessons, the student already possess the basic knowledge of General Biochemistry and Physiology that it is advisable to acquire however. |
| Teaching methods |
The course consists of 40 hours of lectures covering the topics in the syllabus and 15 hours of practical training focused on the assessment of nutritional status and the planning of a rational diet. |
| Other information |
The course attendance is recommended. |
| Learning verification modality |
The teaching exam consists of an oral session of 20-30 minutes, aimed at ascertaining 1) the knowledge acquisition on human body nutritional requirements 2) the ability to use them to plan a rational diet/scientific bases founded. |
| Extended program |
Meaning of the term "diet". The diet as healthy determining. Nutritional glossary. Macronutrient (protein, lipid and carbohydrate) requirements and their nutritional quality assessment/estimate. From food to nutrient: macronutrient digestion and nutrient absorption. Dietary fiber: components, chemical-physical property and physiological effects. Human body nutritional requirements in the different ages and physiological conditions (child and adult hood, pregnancy and nursing, sporting and elderly) and their fulfillment adequacy. Nutraceuticals and functional foods. Control mechanisms of hunger and satiety. Rational diet: from scientific bases to criteria for daily energy distribution among macronutrient. Dietary calcium and iron bioavailability: dietetic strategies for their optimal absorption. Major food groups chemical composition, nutritional quality and recommended daily serving: milk and dairy products, eggs, meats and fish, cereals and legumes, fats and oils, vegetables and fruit. Food pyramid as means of education and prevention. Body composition: age, sex and physiological condition changes, major methods assessment. Individual and/or population groups nutritional status assessment to highlight diet adequacy and/or malnutrition and to implement corrective/health promotion actions. Diet planning.Comparison of the main types of diets. |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile |
Health and Well-being; Quality Education |
| Code |
A005583 |
| CFU |
4 |
| Teacher |
Gina Cavaliere |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities |
Caratterizzante |
| Area |
Discipline biologiche e biomediche |
| Academic discipline |
BIO/09 |
| Type of study-unit |
Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction |
Italian |
| Contents |
Homeostasis and membrane transport. Metabolism and neural communication. Physiology of muscle tissue, the nervous system, and the kidney. General principles of endocrine physiology. Anatomy, functions, and regulatory mechanisms of the gastrointestinal tract. Mechanisms of digestion and absorption along the digestive tract. Regulation of gastrointestinal motility. |
| Reference texts |
Vanni Taglietti. Fondamenti di fisiologia generale ed integrata. 3°Edizione. EdiSES 2019. Berteotti C. Fisiologia gastrointestinale. EdiSES, 2025. |
| Educational objectives |
The aim of this course is to provide students with in-depth knowledge of general physiology and nutrition, as well as the ability to analyze and interpret various physiological parameters and the consequences of their alterations. |
| Prerequisites |
To better understand the course content and achieve the learning objectives, students are recommended to have a basic knowledge of general biochemistry before starting the course. |
| Teaching methods |
The course (4 CFU) consists of 32 hours of face-to face lessons covering the topics outlined in the program. |
| Other information |
Attendance is recommended |
| Learning verification modality |
The exam consists of a 20-30 minute oral interview aimed to assess the student’s understanding of the mechanisms that regulate the physiological systems in the human body. The oral exam will also evaluate the student’s communication skills and their ability to organize, integrate, and articulate information across different topics. |
| Extended program |
Introduction to Physiology, concept of homeostasis and membrane transport. Homeostasis and feedback mechanisms. Simple diffusion, transport in free form, and transport through membrane channels. Facilitated passive transport. Primary active transport. Secondary active transport. Vesicular transport. Metabolic communication: Hormonal signaling pathways: membrane receptors, and intracellular receptors. Second messengers and signal amplification. Neuronal communication: Ionic equilibria and bioelectric potentials, ion electro-diffusion and the resting membrane potential. Action potential. Voltage-gated ion channels: structural and functional aspects. Initiation and propagation of the action potential. Synaptic transmission: Electrical and chemical synapses. Presynaptic events: neurotransmitter release. Postsynaptic events: excitatory and inhibitory synapses, ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. Main mechanisms of synaptic integration. Muscle tissue physiology: Muscular contraction. Muscle shock and tetanus. Exitation-contraction coupling. The role of Ca2+. Physiology of the nervous system. Anatomical and functional organization of the nervous system. General information on kidney physiology: glomerular filtration. Tubular reabsorption and secretion. Renin-angiotensin system. Fluid and electrolyte balance. Acid-base balance. General principles of endocrine physiology. Physiology of the main endocrine glands. Protein hormones. Steroid hormones. Adrenal glands. Posterior pituitary and neurosecretion. Adenohypophysis. Thyroid and parathyroid glands. Pancreas Physiology of the digestive system. Anatomy, functions, and regulatory principles of the gastrointestinal tract. Mechanisms of digestion and absorption along the digestive tract. Functions of the liver and pancreas. Gastrointestinal motility and its regulation. |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile |
Health and wellness |
