General E Cellular Biology
A.Y. 2018/2019
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge of fundamental characteristics of living organisms. In particular, it aims to provide students with the basic knowledge of fundamental biological structures - biological molecules, cells, tissues - and their functioning. At the end of the course, students will gain knowledge of the main inorganic and organic components of living organisms, nucleic acid and protein synthesis and related basic regulation, the main functions of nucleic acids and proteins, and transmission of information from DNA to proteins, both in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Students will also gain knowledge of the molecular organization and functions of subcellular organelles and membrane systems in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells as well as cell division processes of eukaryotic cells. Furthermore, students will gain a basic understanding of the structure of viruses and bacteria.
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Linea 1
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Lecture classes (72 h)
General characteristics and principles of classification of living beings.
Kingdoms: Bacteria, Archaea, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Biodiversity and the origin of life.
Chemical composition of living matter.
Chemical bonds. Structure and function of biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids).
Structure and functions of proteins. An outline about structure and function of antibodies.
Structure and functions of nucleic acids.The DNA as the hereditary material. General remarks on eukaryotic gene structure. From genes to proteins: transcription, processing of RNAs, and translation. General aspects of genetic mutations and their role in evolution.
Energy and metabolism.
Matter and energy flux through living matter.
Chemoautotrophic, photoautotrophic, and heterotrophic organisms.
Nature and properties of enzymes as biological catalysts. The concept of a metabolic pathway.
Bioenergetics (general remarks) and metabolic compartmentalization.
Energy-carrier molecules and coupled reactions.
Viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes.
The eukaryotic cell and its compartmentalization.
Comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Unicellular and multi-cellular organisms.
General aspects of bacteria and viruses and their interactions with eukaryotic cells. DNA and RNA viruses. Oncogenic viruses.
Structure and functions of the eukaryotic cell.
General aspects of the methods for studying cells and tissues. Biological membranes: chemical composition, structure and functions of plasma membrane. Transport mechanisms across membranes.
Fundamentals of cell communication and signalling.
The nucleus. Chromatin and chromosomes.
The system of intracellular membranes and the intracellular compartments (the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus).
The cytoskeleton.
The mitochondria: structure and functions.
Lysosomes and peroxysomes.
The extracellular matrix. Junctions between cells and the organisation of cells in tissues.
Interaction of organisms with the external environment.
Reproduction of cells and organisms. Asexual and sexual reproduction; their evolutionary role.
Comparison between somatic and germ cells: mitotic and meiotic divisions.
General aspects of fertilization and early phases of the embryonic development.
Fundamentals of plant biology. Characteristics of plant cells.
Eukaryotic cell reproduction: the cell cycle and its control.
Cell wall and vacuole.
Structure and functions of plant cell plastids.
Homeostasis control in plant cells. Photosynthesis.
The cell cycle and its control.
Checkpoint pathways and cell cycle arrest.
The cyclin/Cdk complexes and their modulation; mechanism of control of the restriction point.
Growth factors: mechanisms of action, their role in the control of the cell cycle.
Mechanisms of extracellular signal transductions into the cytoplasm and the nucleus: membrane and intracellular receptors.
Mechanism of action of cell adhesion and migration factors.
Apoptosis and necrosis. Cell differentiation. Stem cells.
The cancer cell: morphological and metabolic features of neoplastic cells, cancer cell lines. Factors involved in the neoplastic transformation: proto-oncogenes and oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes. Immortalized cell lines: cell immortalization with oncogenes, hybrid systems obtained by cell fusions. Specific immortalization with chemical, physical and biological (viruses) mutagens: direct tumorigenesis.
Laboratory lecturers
Lecture Classes (10 h):
2h: microscopy and methods for subcellular analysis.
2h: basic principle of cell culture.
2h: preparation of histological specimens.
4h: histology of normal and pathological tissues.
Laboratory practices (6 h):
- Microscopy use 3 h: use of light microscope and phase-contrast microscope to examine cell cultures and biological samples.
- Cell staining techniques 3h: preparation of eosin-tyazine-stained cell section and microscope observation.
General characteristics and principles of classification of living beings.
Kingdoms: Bacteria, Archaea, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Biodiversity and the origin of life.
Chemical composition of living matter.
Chemical bonds. Structure and function of biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids).
Structure and functions of proteins. An outline about structure and function of antibodies.
Structure and functions of nucleic acids.The DNA as the hereditary material. General remarks on eukaryotic gene structure. From genes to proteins: transcription, processing of RNAs, and translation. General aspects of genetic mutations and their role in evolution.
Energy and metabolism.
Matter and energy flux through living matter.
Chemoautotrophic, photoautotrophic, and heterotrophic organisms.
Nature and properties of enzymes as biological catalysts. The concept of a metabolic pathway.
Bioenergetics (general remarks) and metabolic compartmentalization.
Energy-carrier molecules and coupled reactions.
Viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes.
The eukaryotic cell and its compartmentalization.
Comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Unicellular and multi-cellular organisms.
General aspects of bacteria and viruses and their interactions with eukaryotic cells. DNA and RNA viruses. Oncogenic viruses.
Structure and functions of the eukaryotic cell.
General aspects of the methods for studying cells and tissues. Biological membranes: chemical composition, structure and functions of plasma membrane. Transport mechanisms across membranes.
Fundamentals of cell communication and signalling.
The nucleus. Chromatin and chromosomes.
The system of intracellular membranes and the intracellular compartments (the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus).
The cytoskeleton.
The mitochondria: structure and functions.
Lysosomes and peroxysomes.
The extracellular matrix. Junctions between cells and the organisation of cells in tissues.
Interaction of organisms with the external environment.
Reproduction of cells and organisms. Asexual and sexual reproduction; their evolutionary role.
Comparison between somatic and germ cells: mitotic and meiotic divisions.
General aspects of fertilization and early phases of the embryonic development.
Fundamentals of plant biology. Characteristics of plant cells.
Eukaryotic cell reproduction: the cell cycle and its control.
Cell wall and vacuole.
Structure and functions of plant cell plastids.
Homeostasis control in plant cells. Photosynthesis.
The cell cycle and its control.
Checkpoint pathways and cell cycle arrest.
The cyclin/Cdk complexes and their modulation; mechanism of control of the restriction point.
Growth factors: mechanisms of action, their role in the control of the cell cycle.
Mechanisms of extracellular signal transductions into the cytoplasm and the nucleus: membrane and intracellular receptors.
Mechanism of action of cell adhesion and migration factors.
Apoptosis and necrosis. Cell differentiation. Stem cells.
The cancer cell: morphological and metabolic features of neoplastic cells, cancer cell lines. Factors involved in the neoplastic transformation: proto-oncogenes and oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes. Immortalized cell lines: cell immortalization with oncogenes, hybrid systems obtained by cell fusions. Specific immortalization with chemical, physical and biological (viruses) mutagens: direct tumorigenesis.
Laboratory lecturers
Lecture Classes (10 h):
2h: microscopy and methods for subcellular analysis.
2h: basic principle of cell culture.
2h: preparation of histological specimens.
4h: histology of normal and pathological tissues.
Laboratory practices (6 h):
- Microscopy use 3 h: use of light microscope and phase-contrast microscope to examine cell cultures and biological samples.
- Cell staining techniques 3h: preparation of eosin-tyazine-stained cell section and microscope observation.
Website
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 10
Single bench laboratory practical: 16 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Professors:
Poletti Angelo, Rusmini Paola
Linea 2
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Lecture classes (72 h)
General characteristics and principles of classification of living beings.
Kingdoms: Bacteria, Archaea, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Biodiversity and the origin of life.
Chemical composition of living matter.
Chemical bonds. Structure and function of biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids).
Structure and functions of proteins. An outline about structure and function of antibodies.
Structure and functions of nucleic acids.The DNA as the hereditary material. General remarks on eukaryotic gene structure. From genes to proteins: transcription, processing of RNAs, and translation. General aspects of genetic mutations and their role in evolution.
Energy and metabolism.
Matter and energy flux through living matter.
Chemoautotrophic, photoautotrophic, and heterotrophic organisms.
Nature and properties of enzymes as biological catalysts. The concept of a metabolic pathway.
Bioenergetics (general remarks) and metabolic compartmentalization.
Energy-carrier molecules and coupled reactions.
Viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes.
The eukaryotic cell and its compartmentalization.
Comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Unicellular and multi-cellular organisms.
General aspects of bacteria and viruses and their interactions with eukaryotic cells. DNA and RNA viruses. Oncogenic viruses.
Structure and functions of the eukaryotic cell.
General aspects of the methods for studying cells and tissues. Biological membranes: chemical composition, structure and functions of plasma membrane. Transport mechanisms across membranes.
Fundamentals of cell communication and signalling.
The nucleus. Chromatin and chromosomes.
The system of intracellular membranes and the intracellular compartments (the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus).
The cytoskeleton.
The mitochondria: structure and functions.
Lysosomes and peroxysomes.
The extracellular matrix. Junctions between cells and the organisation of cells in tissues.
Interaction of organisms with the external environment.
Reproduction of cells and organisms. Asexual and sexual reproduction; their evolutionary role.
Comparison between somatic and germ cells: mitotic and meiotic divisions.
General aspects of fertilization and early phases of the embryonic development.
Fundamentals of plant biology. Characteristics of plant cells.
Eukaryotic cell reproduction: the cell cycle and its control.
Cell wall and vacuole.
Structure and functions of plant cell plastids.
Homeostasis control in plant cells. Photosynthesis.
The cell cycle and its control.
Checkpoint pathways and cell cycle arrest.
The cyclin/Cdk complexes and their modulation; mechanism of control of the restriction point.
Growth factors: mechanisms of action, their role in the control of the cell cycle.
Mechanisms of extracellular signal transductions into the cytoplasm and the nucleus: membrane and intracellular receptors.
Mechanism of action of cell adhesion and migration factors.
Apoptosis and necrosis. Cell differentiation. Stem cells.
The cancer cell: morphological and metabolic features of neoplastic cells, cancer cell lines. Factors involved in the neoplastic transformation: proto-oncogenes and oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes. Immortalized cell lines: cell immortalization with oncogenes, hybrid systems obtained by cell fusions. Specific immortalization with chemical, physical and biological (viruses) mutagens: direct tumorigenesis.
Laboratory lecturers
Lecture Classes (10 h):
2h: microscopy and methods for subcellular analysis.
2h: basic principle of cell culture.
2h: preparation of histological specimens.
4h: histology of normal and pathological tissues.
Laboratory practices (6 h):
- Microscopy use 3 h: use of light microscope and phase-contrast microscope to examine cell cultures and biological samples.
- Cell staining techniques 3h: preparation of eosin-tyazine-stained cell section and microscope observation.
General characteristics and principles of classification of living beings.
Kingdoms: Bacteria, Archaea, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Animalia. Biodiversity and the origin of life.
Chemical composition of living matter.
Chemical bonds. Structure and function of biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids).
Structure and functions of proteins. An outline about structure and function of antibodies.
Structure and functions of nucleic acids.The DNA as the hereditary material. General remarks on eukaryotic gene structure. From genes to proteins: transcription, processing of RNAs, and translation. General aspects of genetic mutations and their role in evolution.
Energy and metabolism.
Matter and energy flux through living matter.
Chemoautotrophic, photoautotrophic, and heterotrophic organisms.
Nature and properties of enzymes as biological catalysts. The concept of a metabolic pathway.
Bioenergetics (general remarks) and metabolic compartmentalization.
Energy-carrier molecules and coupled reactions.
Viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes.
The eukaryotic cell and its compartmentalization.
Comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Unicellular and multi-cellular organisms.
General aspects of bacteria and viruses and their interactions with eukaryotic cells. DNA and RNA viruses. Oncogenic viruses.
Structure and functions of the eukaryotic cell.
General aspects of the methods for studying cells and tissues. Biological membranes: chemical composition, structure and functions of plasma membrane. Transport mechanisms across membranes.
Fundamentals of cell communication and signalling.
The nucleus. Chromatin and chromosomes.
The system of intracellular membranes and the intracellular compartments (the nuclear envelope, the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus).
The cytoskeleton.
The mitochondria: structure and functions.
Lysosomes and peroxysomes.
The extracellular matrix. Junctions between cells and the organisation of cells in tissues.
Interaction of organisms with the external environment.
Reproduction of cells and organisms. Asexual and sexual reproduction; their evolutionary role.
Comparison between somatic and germ cells: mitotic and meiotic divisions.
General aspects of fertilization and early phases of the embryonic development.
Fundamentals of plant biology. Characteristics of plant cells.
Eukaryotic cell reproduction: the cell cycle and its control.
Cell wall and vacuole.
Structure and functions of plant cell plastids.
Homeostasis control in plant cells. Photosynthesis.
The cell cycle and its control.
Checkpoint pathways and cell cycle arrest.
The cyclin/Cdk complexes and their modulation; mechanism of control of the restriction point.
Growth factors: mechanisms of action, their role in the control of the cell cycle.
Mechanisms of extracellular signal transductions into the cytoplasm and the nucleus: membrane and intracellular receptors.
Mechanism of action of cell adhesion and migration factors.
Apoptosis and necrosis. Cell differentiation. Stem cells.
The cancer cell: morphological and metabolic features of neoplastic cells, cancer cell lines. Factors involved in the neoplastic transformation: proto-oncogenes and oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes. Immortalized cell lines: cell immortalization with oncogenes, hybrid systems obtained by cell fusions. Specific immortalization with chemical, physical and biological (viruses) mutagens: direct tumorigenesis.
Laboratory lecturers
Lecture Classes (10 h):
2h: microscopy and methods for subcellular analysis.
2h: basic principle of cell culture.
2h: preparation of histological specimens.
4h: histology of normal and pathological tissues.
Laboratory practices (6 h):
- Microscopy use 3 h: use of light microscope and phase-contrast microscope to examine cell cultures and biological samples.
- Cell staining techniques 3h: preparation of eosin-tyazine-stained cell section and microscope observation.
Website
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 10
Single bench laboratory practical: 16 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Lessons: 72 hours
Professors:
Limonta Patrizia, Moretti Roberta Manuela
Professor(s)
Reception:
on request
Via Balzaretti, 9