Biology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge of animal Biology. The course will then be specifically focused on eukaryotic cells. Students will acquire knowledge on: structure and function of the cell, biological membranes, subcellular organelles, cell metabolism, the flow of the genetic information into the cell (gene, eukaryotic genome, DNA replication, transcription, translation, control of gene expression). Additional objectives of the course will be to provide students with the knowledge of the mechanisms of cell proliferation and cell cycle checkpoints, cell death, cell-to-cell communication, mitosis, meiosis and the principles of heredity (Mendelian heredity). This course will provide students with the basic scientific knowledge necessary to face the courses of the following years.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the Course, students should prove that they have acquired and understood the knowledge of the main biological features of animal cells (eukaryotic cells). Specifically, they should have acquired and understood the basic knowledge on the structure and biological features of animal cells: cell membrane, cytoplasmic organelles, metabolism, flow of the genetic information, cell life/death programs, cell-cell interactions, asexual/sexual reproduction, transmission and expression of hereditary traits (Mendelian law of inheritance).
At the end of the Course students should have acquired an accurate and specific biological language allowing them to communicate the specific knowledge.
At the end of the Course students should have acquired an accurate and specific biological language allowing them to communicate the specific knowledge.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Program for attending and not attending students.
Origin of life - Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes - Atoms and Chemical bonds - Carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, proteins and enzyme structure - Plasmatic membrane - Transport mechanisms across plasmatic membrane - The system of intracellular membranes - The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the Golgi Apparatus, lysosomes and peroxysomes - Intracellular compartments and vesicle transport - Energy and cellular metabolism -The mitochondria -The nucleus - Chromatin and chromosomes - DNA structure and DNA replication - Transcription, RNA processing - Protein translation - Mechanisms of gene expression -The cytoskeleton -Extracellular matrix - Junctions between the cells - Cell communication and signalling - The cell cycle and its control - Mitosis - Cancer cell - Meiosis - General aspects of mechanisms of fertilisation - Mendelian inheritance
Origin of life - Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes - Atoms and Chemical bonds - Carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, proteins and enzyme structure - Plasmatic membrane - Transport mechanisms across plasmatic membrane - The system of intracellular membranes - The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the Golgi Apparatus, lysosomes and peroxysomes - Intracellular compartments and vesicle transport - Energy and cellular metabolism -The mitochondria -The nucleus - Chromatin and chromosomes - DNA structure and DNA replication - Transcription, RNA processing - Protein translation - Mechanisms of gene expression -The cytoskeleton -Extracellular matrix - Junctions between the cells - Cell communication and signalling - The cell cycle and its control - Mitosis - Cancer cell - Meiosis - General aspects of mechanisms of fertilisation - Mendelian inheritance
Prerequisites for admission
There are not specific prerequisites other than those required for the access to the course.
Teaching methods
The course involves in-person classroom lectures. The course will use active and interactive methods, favoring student engagement.
Teaching Resources
Recommended textbooks:
- L' Essenziale di Biologia Molecolare della Cellula - Alberts et al. - V edizione, 2020 - Zanichelli editore
- La Cellula. Un Approccio Molecolare - Cooper GM, Hausman RE - IV edizione, 2022 - PICCIN editore
The slides presented during the lecture will be available on the ARIEL platform.
- L' Essenziale di Biologia Molecolare della Cellula - Alberts et al. - V edizione, 2020 - Zanichelli editore
- La Cellula. Un Approccio Molecolare - Cooper GM, Hausman RE - IV edizione, 2022 - PICCIN editore
The slides presented during the lecture will be available on the ARIEL platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment method is made up of an oral examination aiming to evaluate the knowledge of the topics addressed during the lecture classes of the course. Students will be asked to demonstrate to have acquired a basic knowledge of the main biological features of animal cells (eukaryotic). Specifically, they should demonstrate to have acquired a solid knowledge on cell membranes, enzymes, cytoplasmic organelles, cell metabolism, flow of the genetic information from DNA to proteins, cell life/death programs, cell-cell interactions and communications, mitosis and meiosis, asexual/sexual reproduction, basis of human genetics. During the examination, students should demonstrate to have acquired an accurate and specific biological language allowing them to communicate their knowledge in the field of biology.
The evaluation of the oral exam will be expressed in thirtieths (from 18/30 to 30/30).
The evaluation of the oral exam will be expressed in thirtieths (from 18/30 to 30/30).
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Cristofani Riccardo Maria
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Professor(s)