57113 - Applied Biology

Academic Year 2025/2026

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Physiotherapy (cod. 8476)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student should know: the organization and the main molecular mechanisms of eukariotic cells; the organization of genetic information, its transmission and expression; the reproduction of cells and organisms.

Course contents

STUDY OF LIFE

Properties of living organisms; cellular theory; prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

EUKARYOTIC CELL

Shape, size and structure of eukaryotic cells; plasma membrane: structure and permeability; the cytoplasm; the nucleus: DNA, chromatin, chromosomes, genome and karyotype; ribosomes: structure and function, the system of intracellular membranes: structure and function of smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, the lysosome; mitochondria: structure and inheritance; the cytoskeleton and its ability to define the cell shape and movement: microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments.

GENETIC INFORMATION
The structure of DNA; the eukaryotic gene; DNA replication; gene expression information: DNA transcription, maturation of primary transcripts, the genetic code, translation, post-translational modifications and final destination of proteins; gene regulation; gene and chromosomal mutations.

REPRODUCTION
The cell division: cell cycle; mitosis; meiosis and human reproduction.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested Books:

 

- Elementi di biologia

Eldra P. Solomon, Charles E. Martin, Diana W. Martin

ottava edizione italiana

EdiSES

- Campbell Biologia e genetica

Lisa A. Urry - Michael L. Cain - Steven A. Wasserman - Peter V. Minorsky - Rebecca B. Orr - Neil A. Campbell

dodicesima edizione

Pearson • Con Pearson eText

- Elementi di biologia e genetica

David Sadava, David M. Hillis, H. Craig Heller, Sally Hacker

quinta edizione italiana (libro multimediale)

Zanichelli

- Elementi di biologia e genetica

Bonaldo P. et al.

prima edizione

EdiSES

Testo per eventuali approfondimenti:

- Fondamenti di biologia

E. P. Solomon, C. E. Martin, D. W. Martin, L. R. Berg

settima edizione italiana

EdiSES

Teaching methods

Lectures with ppt slides. Self-evaluation questions.

Assessment methods

The final biology exam will be oral and carried out at the same time as the biochemistry exam.

The student will be asked two/three applied biology questions relating to the macro-topics of the course (for example: mutations, plasma membrane, cell cycle, etc). Only if the evaluation for both biochemistry and biology modules is sufficient will this be considered. Otherwise, the student will have to repeat the oral exams.

To verbalize the student will be sufficient (18/30) in all subjects of the course (biochemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology). The final score will be the average of the results obtained in the individual subjects of the course. The maximum achievable evaluation will be 30 cum laude.

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/for-students) 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.

Teaching tools

Use of computer to show scientific videos and to present the lecture. Students will be provided with ppt slides (https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/federica.facchin2/).

Office hours

See the website of Federica Facchin

SDGs

Good health and well-being Quality education

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.