B5842 - Introduction to Biology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire the fundamental principles that guide the organization and functioning of cells, starting from the biological molecules up to tissues. The course will also deal with the origin of life on our planet and the evolution of the cell. At the end of the course the student will be able to describe the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (animals and plants), with particular attention to the subcellular compartments, energy metabolism, the cell division process and the communication mechanisms between cells.

Course contents

1. Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules

1.1 Aminoacids and proteins

• Structure of amino acids. Functional groups of an amino acid; amino acids as ampholytes. Classification of aminoacids. Aminoacids in biochemistry.
• Structural organization of proteins: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure.
• Effect of temperature and pH on the native conformation of a protein and on its function. Concept of protein folding and unfolding.
• Fibrous and globular proteins.

1.2 Lipids

• Classification of lipids and their functions. Fatty acids: structure, chemical–physical properties, and nomenclature. Triglycerides: structure and function.
• Phospholipids and glycolipids: classification, structure, and function.
• Sterols. Cholesterol: structure and function, biochemical significance. Biologically active lipids: prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.

1.3 Carbohydrates

• Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and the glycosidic bond.
• Polysaccharides: Homopolysaccharides (starch, glycogen, cellulose); Heteropolysaccharides (peptidoglycan and glycosaminoglycans)

1.4 Nucleotides and nucleic acids

• Nitrogenous bases: purines and pyrimidines; pentose and deoxypentose; ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides.
• Structure of nucleic acids: DNA and RNA.

2. Evolution and biodiversity

• Origin of life on Earth and the monophyletic origin of living organisms (LUCA and LECA).
• Evolution of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Structural and functional organization of Bacteria and Archaea.
• Prokaryotic metabolic strategies and horizontal gene transfer.
• Endosymbiotic theory and the origin of mitochondria and chloroplasts.
• Evolution of the major eukaryotic groups.
• Biodiversity of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic protists.
• Ecological role of phytoplankton and major symbiotic interactions.

3. Plant biology

• Origin and evolution of Archaeplastida and land plants.
• Organization and function of chloroplasts and other plastids.
• Oxygenic photosynthesis: photosynthetic pigments, electron transport, ATP and NADPH synthesis.
• The Calvin–Benson cycle and photorespiration.
• Overview of the main biotechnological applications of microalgae.
• Evolution of plant adaptations to terrestrial life (cuticle, stomata, gametangia, and vascular tissues).
• Structure and function of the plant cell wall.
• Symplast, apoplast, and plasmodesmata.
• Water and photoassimilate transport: osmosis, water potential, xylem, and phloem.

4. Cell biology

• The eukaryotic cell: structure and function of cell organels. Differences with the prokaryotic cell.
• The cytoskeleton and cell motility.
• The cell surface, cell-to-cell interactions.
• The nucleus. DNA replication and Mitosis
• Cell cycle and its regulation. Apoptosis.
• Genetic information and how it is utilized in the cell.
• Membrane transport, Endoplasmic reticulm, the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes.
• Cell regulation and communication. Signals and their transduction.
• Differentiation and stemness
• Sexual reproduction and meiosis
  

Readings/Bibliography

Sadava - Biologia -Volume 3 L'evoluzione e la Biologia - Edizione Zanichelli

Campbell - La forma e la funzione delle piante - Edizione Pearson

Teaching methods

The course (8 ECTF, corresponding to 64 hours of teaching) is organized in three units. The first unit (2 ECTS; 16 hours) conducted by Prof. Laura Giusti introduces biological macromolecules and provides the basic knowledge of bioenergy and biochemical reactions. The second unit (3 ECTS; 24 hours) led by Prof. Francesca Sparla provides an overview of the origin of life and of biodiversity and focuses on plant biology. The third unit (3 ECTS; 24 hours) conducted by Prof. Monica Forni provides insight into cell biology. Lessons are accompanied by the projection of images and diagrams which can also be found on the Virtual-University of Bologna platform.

Questions and requests of further explanation from the students are always welcome, both during and after the lesson.

Assessment methods

The final assessment is aimed at determining the achievement of the learning objectives. As this is an Integrated Course that includes the Laboratory of Cell Biology, the evaluation will be carried out through a single written exam (lasting 120 minutes), consisting of 6 open-ended questions (maximum of 2.5 points per question), of which 3 pertain to the theoretical part and 3 to the laboratory part, and 36 multiple-choice questions (0.5 points per question, with no penalties for incorrect or unanswered questions), of which 24 pertain to the theoretical part and 12 to the laboratory part.

Students have the right to reject the proposed positive grade once (in accordance with the University Teaching Regulations, ART.16, paragraph 5).

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) during the assessment is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Students recognized as “working students”
Please consult the dedicated website (https://www.unibo.it/en/study/guide-to-choosing-your-programme/balancing-study-and-work) to apply for this status and to learn about the available measures.

Teaching tools

The course will take place in classrooms with PC projection. All lectures will be given with power point presentations. The files will be made available to students via Virtuale - University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Sparla

See the website of Monica Forni

See the website of Laura Giusti