85243 - BIOLOGIA APPLICATA

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student: - knows the organization of living matter in elementary biological units and the basic cellular processes of living organisms; - knows the cellular and molecular biology of muscle cells; - knows the organization of genetic information, its transmission and expression in eukaryotic cells and the interaction between environment and genome; - knowledge of cellular and organism reproduction and the main mechanisms governing the continuity and diversity of living things. ; - is able to use appropriate scientific language.

Course contents

STUDY OF LIFE

Concept of living being and properties; cell theory; hints of evolution. Biological role of elements, molecules and macromolecules.

THE EUKARYOTIC CELL

Shape, size and structure of eukaryotic cells.

Plasma membrane: membrane structure and permeability; passive and active transports.

The cytoplasm; the endomembrane system: structures and functions of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, exocytosis and endocytosis; peroxysomes; mitochondria and endosymbiotic theory; the nucleus: structure and organization of DNA, chromatin and chromosomes; Ribosomes: structure and function.

The cytoskeleton: microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments; cell junctions.

The skeletal muscle fiber, the organization of the sarcomere and mechanism of contraction.

Cellular communication.

GENETIC INFORMATION

The structure of DNA; the human genome; the eukaryotic gene; duplication of DNA; expression of gene information: transcription of DNA, maturation of primary transcripts, genetic code, translation; fate and post-translational modifications of proteins.

EPIGENETICS: the histone code and chromosomal territories.

THE REPRODUCTION

Cell reproduction: cell cycle, necrosis, apoptosis and mitosis and their regulation. Reproduction of organisms: meiosis; spermatogenesis, ovogenesis, ovarian cycle, uterine cycle and fertilization. Concepts of proliferation and differentiation.

THE INHERITANCE OF CHARACTERS

Gregor Mendel’s experiments and their significance; genetic trees and autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance; codominance and incomplete dominance; multiple alleles; genetic determination of sex; the X and Y chromosomes; gender-related inheritance; mitochondrial DNA: structure, function and inheritance.

Gene, chromosome and genomic mutations and their significance; examples of genetic disorders.

Environment

Physical, chemical and biotic factors determining traits; interaction between genes and environment in phenotype determination.

Readings/Bibliography

The recommended texts will be presented by the teacher at the beginning of the course and documented in the teaching material that will be uploaded during the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures with discussion in the classroom. Supplementary teaching material useful for the study of the subject.

Exercise on eukaryotic gene structure in smaller groups.

Assessment methods

Written exam: Knowledge of the program topics will be assessed through multiple choice questions, short open questions and exercises.

Oral examination: Understanding of the programme topics and ability to link them critically will be assessed.

Teaching tools

Recommended academic texts

Original articles

Slides useful for study.

Scientific videos.

Practical exercise.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Canaider