15950 - Biology and Genetics

Academic Year 2025/2026

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Ravenna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Nursing (cod. 5908)

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

BIOLOGY MODULE (MODULE 1 - 2CFU):

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; 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.

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.

CELL DIVISION AND REPRODUCTION

The cell division: cell cycle and mitosis. Meiosis and reproduction of human organisms.

GENETICS MODULE (MODULE 2 - 1 CFU)

Introduction to genetics, gene and genome

Concept of gene, allele and chromosome; human genome.

Hereditary transmission of characters

Mendel's laws. Transmission of monogenic characters: Autosomal dominant inheritance and autosomal recessive inheritance. Interactions between alleles: incomplete dominance, codominance. Inheritance of the ABO system. Heredity of the Rh system. X-linked recessive inheritance.

Mutations

Definition, causes and types of mutations. Gene mutations: types and effects on the gene product.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested books:

- 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

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

ottava edizione italiana

EdiSES

- Elementi di biologia e genetica

Paolo Bonaldo et al.

prima edizione

EdiSES

- Elementi di biologia e genetica

David Sadava, David M. Hillis, H. Craig Heller, May R. Berenbaum

quinta edizione italiana

Zanichelli

Teaching methods

Lectures using schemes, figures and educational videos.

Self-evaluation questions. Exercise of genetics.

3 student hours of laboratory activities with visualization of slides under an optical microscope and their interpretation/understanding through interactive activities.

Assessment methods

At the end of course there will be a written test with exercises and open questions on the teachings of Biology and Genetics, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics. The student to pass the examination will be sufficient (minimal score 18/30) in all subjects. The final score will be the weighted average of the results obtained in the individual modules of the course.

The applied biology test will consist of multiple choice tests, completion questions, representations and open questions. The score of each question will be reported on the test. Wrong or ungiven answers will not take away points. The maximum score obtainable, providing all the answers correctly and completely, will be 30 cum laude. The time available to the student to take the applied biology test will be 1 hour. During the test the use of books, notes and computer media will not be permitted.

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

Universitarian books
Additional teaching materials will be available in the teacher's web site (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.