Basic Biological and Morphological Sciences

THE STUDY OF LIFE
Introduction to biology. Concept of living being and its properties; cell theory; the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell. The variability of living beings, evolution and its fundamental stages.
THE EUCARIOTIC CELL
Shape, size, and structure of eukaryotic cells; plasma membrane: structure and permeability; the cytoplasm; the nucleus: structure and function; nuclear envelope; nucleolus; nuclear DNA organization; chromatin and chromosomes; the ribosomes: structure and function; the cellular membrane system: structure and function of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum of the Golgi apparatus, of lysosome and peroxisomes; the mitochondria: structure and inheritance; the cytoskeleton and its ability to contribute to cellular shape and movement: microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments.
GENETIC INFORMATION
Informational molecules: nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins; the structure of DNA; DNA duplication; the expression of genetic information; DNA transcription, maturation of primary transcripts, translation and genetic code, post-translational modifications and final destination of proteins.

STRUCTURE OF THE BODY
General organization of the human body; anatomical terminology; body spaces, cavities, and regions; organs, systems.
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
General organization of the skin and skin appendages.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
General structure of bones, joints, and muscles; axial skeleton, appendicular skeleton; joints of human body; muscles of the head and neck, muscles of the trunk, muscles that move the upper and lower extremities.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
General organization of the circulatory system; heart; main arteries and their vascular territory; main veins and their vascular territory; lymphatic system: general organization.
HEMATOPOIETIC AND LYMPHOID ORGANS
Bone marrow; thymus; tonsils; lymph nodes; spleen.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Pituitary gland; pineal gland; thyroid gland; parathyroid glands; adrenal glands; pancreatic islets; diffuse endocrine system.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Mouth: teeth, tongue, salivary glands; pharynx; esophagus; stomach; small intestine; large intestine; liver; biliary system; pancreas; peritoneum.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Respiratory tract: nose and paranasal sinuses, pharynx; larynx, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles; lungs; pleura.
URINARY SYSTEM
Kidneys; urinary tract: calyces, renal pelvis, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Testes; reproductive ducts: epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct; urethra; glands: seminal vesicles, prostate gland.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Ovaries; reproductive ducts: uterine tubes, uterus, vagina.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Central nervous system: spinal cord; brain: brainstem, cerebellum, diencephalon, telencephalon; meninges; cerebrospinal fluid; main ascending and descending pathways.
Peripheral nervous system: cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and plexuses: general information and territory of innervation; autonomic nervous system: general organization.
Sense organs: taste receptors, smell receptors, eye, and ear: general organization.

THE CELL
Cell structure (recall); intercellular junctions
EPITHELIAL TISSUES
Covering and glandular epithelia
CONNECTIVE TISSUES
1) Connective tissue proper
2) Specialized connective tissues: cartilage, bone, blood, adipose tissue
MUSCULAR TISSUE
Skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles
NERVOUS TISSUE