54576 - Cytology and Histology (A-L)

Learning outcomes

The course is taugth in Italian: please refer to the Italian Program

Course contents

Course of Cytology and Histology for Biological Sciences (A-L) Prof Lorenzo Alibardi Cytology

-Cell Theory, types and size of cells, prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Methods for the study of the cell and tissues (microscope types, classic histology after fixation, stains, electron microscopy, histochemistry. Examples of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

-Cell Membrane: ultrastructural characteristics, molecular composition (glycides, lipids and proteins), membrane proteins and their function.

-Cytoplasm: cytosol, ions and water, autoradiography and cell centrifugation, glycogen and lipids, metabolism, glycolisis and fermentation. Ribosomes, RNAs and protein synthesis, mutations, sorting.

-Rough endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomal targeting (signal sequence), glycosilation and secretory pathways. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipid synthesis. Golgi apparatus: ultrastructure and relationships with the endoplasmic reticulum. Glycoprotein processing, targeting and pre-post glycosilation modifications.

-Lysosomes: formation, segregation and activation of lytic enzymes, primary and secondary lysosomes. Endocytosis: pynocytosis and phagocytosis, cell targeting, vesiclular transport. Ubiquitin and proteasome.

-Mitochondria: ultrastructural aspects and biochemical activities, oxidative metabolism, Krebs cycle, lipids and amino acids catabolism, respiratory chain, protonic pumps and ATP synthesis,. Peroxisomes: biogenesis and metabolic activities. ((detoxification).

-Cytoskeleton: actin, tubulin and intermediate filaments. Fixed cytoskeleton: cilia and flagelli.

-Nucleus: membrane and pores, nucleolus, chromosomes and chromatin organization (eu- and hetero-chromatin). DNA structure, genomes and gene structure, DNA duplication during the cell cycle, DNA repair, teleomers and telomerases. Reverse transcriptase.

-Transcription: activation and regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Synthesis and maturation of ribosomal RNAs, nucleolus, and ribosome assembling. Transcription factors and transcriptional complex; introns and exons, maturation of the mRNAs, splicing, canonical transcriptional activity and using non-coding small RNAs. Synthesis and maturation of tRNAs. Cell death (apoptosis and necrosis).

-Cell division in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell cycle and its control (cyclins, p53, retinoblastoma), growth factors, cancer, mitosis and chromosomes condensation and separation, nuclear membrane disassembling, gametes and meiosis, chromosome disjunction, recombination. Cell differentiation and the origin of tissues. Origin and evolution of cells and tissues.

Histology. Epithelial tissue and cell junctions, exocrine and endocrine glands. Nervous tissue, histogenesis of neurons and glial cells, cytological characteristics of neurons (type I and II), genesis and propagation of the nerve impulse, synapses and neurotransmitters. Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendroglia, Schwann cells, microglia), myelinization. Connective tissues and cell types, extracellular matrix (collagens, GAGs, glycoproteins), types of connectives (lose and dense), macrophages and immune cells, mast cells, fat tissue (white and brown) and metabolism. Blood, cell types and functions (red, and white cells, platelets), blood vessels and lymphatics, immune system (antibodies, B- and T- cells, and immune response). Cartilage (hyaline, elastic, fibrous). Bone, formation and ossification (membranous and endochondral), bone remodeling. Muscle tissue, histogenesis and types of muscle cells, contraction mechanism and role of calcium. Smooth muscles and cardiac muscle.

Laboratory demonstrations

Study and interpretation of electron microscopic images of cell organelles in different cell types. Description and observations using the light microscope of various examples of embryonic and adult tissues (epithelia, glands, connective tissues, cartilage, bone, blood, muscle and nervous tissues).

Readings/Bibliography

see the Italian version

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and lab demonstrations

Assessment methods

Written and(or) oral examination

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Alibardi