Biology, Histology and Embryology

MODULE OBJECTIVES
The module is divided into three parts. In the first part the concept will be illustrated that living organisms, whatever realm they belong to, are united by a common cellular organization.
In the second part the basic concepts concerning the organization of the animal body will be illustated in order to enable the student to understand how body shape and function are related. In the third part the concept of evolution will be presented followed by brief introduction to the systematic organization of the animal kingdom.

MODULE ORGANIZATION
The cell:
Introduction to animals organization and physiology (2 hours)
General characteristics of the cell (2 hours)
The membrane structure (1 hours)
The cellular organization (2 hour)
Metabolism and cellular respiration (1 hours)
Cell communication and cell cycle (2 hours)

Structure and function of animals:
Multicellularity (1 hours)
Animal nutrition (2 hours)
Regulation of internal environment (2 hours)
Animal Reproduction and Development (2 hours)

Animal diversity:
The evolution (2 hours)
Introduction to animal taxonomy (1 hours)
Invertebrates: main characteristics of molluscs, arthropods, flatworms and nematodes (2 hours)
Vertebrates: main characteristics of Chordates: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals (2 hours)

Basis of modern biology. Cell theory and endosynbonic theory; evolution, genetic code, homeostasis and energy. Living classification: prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Main characteristics of prokaryotes. Azotofixer bacteria: symbiosis and role Rhizobium in legume nodules (2 hours).
The plant cell. General characteristics and in-depth analysis of the plant's own structures. Cell wall, vacuoles and plastids (2 hours)
Water transport in plant cells and tissues. Functional role of the vacuoles. Distinctive characteristics of plant tissues. Architectural organization of cells in the plant world. The algae. Algae cultivation systems (2 hours).
Growth of plant cells. Apical meristems, function of the cap. Vegetative apex. Tegumental tissues. Epidermis, accessory cells, stomata, cork, rhizoderm (2 hours).
Conductive tissues (xylem and phloem), mechanical (collenchyma and sclerenchyma), parenchymal (fundamental, reserve, aeriferous, aquifer), T secretory (2 hours).
Plants: Morphological characteristics of the leaves. The leaf as an organ responsible for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll parenchyma. Mineral nutrition. Main characteristics of vascular plants: angiosperms and gymnosperms, monocotyledonous and dicotyledons. The seed: structure, role and mode of dispersion (2 hours).
Open lesson at the Botanical Garden of Città Studi. Knowledge of the main plant varieties. Adaptation to the environments. Plants with different reproductive systems (2 hours).
Secondary metabolites of plants. Analysis of metabolite parameters. Compounds with medical interest. Functional foods (2 hours).
Genetically modified organisms, Green biotechnology and genetically modified plants. Agrobaterium tumefaciens as a method of transformation. European legislation on genetically modified plants (marketing-authorization). EFSA's role in monitoring the safety of GM products (4 hours).
Phytoremediation. Eutrophication. Plants as a phytoremedium system for the recovery of heavy metals from the manure of intensive farms (2 hours).
Plants and nutrition. Crops. Nutritional evaluation of foods. Main chemical analysis of foods of plant origin, dry matter (2 hours).

MODULE OBJECTIVES:
The module aims to provide students with the basic knowledge on the morphological and functional properties of various tissues. At the end of the course the student will be able to recognize the various tissues by light microscopy using preparations stained with routine histological techniques. Additionally, the student will be introduced to the processes of gametogenesis, fertilization, embryonic development and organogenesis in domestic species. The module ends with a description of the formation of the placenta.


MODULE STRUCTURE:
Classroom teaching
General organization of tissues and organs (2 hours)
Epithelial and glandular tissue (3 hours)
Connective tissue (2 hours)
Adipose tissue, cartilage and bone (3 hours)
Blood and lymph tissue (2 hours)
Nervous tissue (2 hours)
Male and female gametogenesis (2 hours)
Fertilization and pre-implantation development (3 hours)
Gastrulation and morphogenetic processes (3 hours)
Placentation (2 hours)


Practical classes
Principles of microscopy (2 hours)
Practical use of microscopy (2 hours)
Epithelial tissues (2 hours)
Connective tissues (2 hours)
Bone tissue (2 hours)
Blood, cartilage, and adipose tissues (2 hours)
Muscle tissues (2 hours)
Nervous tissue (2 hours)