B8426 - Veterinary Cytology, Histology, and Embryology

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student acquires basic understanding of the cellular structures and their organisation in tissues, as well as the main events of the early stages and mechanisms of embryonic development. In particular, the student: acquires the basic principles of cytology, histology, and embryology, with the appropriate scientific vocabulary; is able to recognise cells, subcellular structures, and the different tissues and organs using the optical microscope; is able to describe components and characteristics of the different tissues; understands the dynamics of development from the gametogenesis to the three germ layers formation, and the formation of fetal membranes and placenta of the different considered species; uses properly the optical microscope for observation of histological slices.

Course contents

This Course is part of the Integrated Course "The Cell from Molecules to Tissues".

Upon completion of the Integrated Course unit, the student will be able to know the cellular structure, organization, and functions, as well as the chemical and biochemical aspects underlying metabolism and information transmission in cells and tissues.

The Integrated Course "The Cell from Molecules to Tissues" contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.5, 1.9, 1.22.

Specific Course contents:

Through lectures and practical labs, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of cytology, histology and embryology, and the basic practical principle on studying cells and tissues using the optical microscope.

For the cytology part of the course, the basic cellular structures and their main functions will be covered: the cell membrane, the nucleus, the other main organelles (RER, SER, ribosomes, Golgi complex, mitochondria, peroxisomes) and the cytoskeleton (microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments).

The student will be than introduced to the embryology, explaining the gametogenesis and the embryogenesis through the formation of the germ layers. Moreover, the structures of the fetal membranes and placenta in different species will be explored.

The histology part will cover the epithelium (surface epithelium, glandular epithelium and glands, epithelial stem cells), the connective and supportive tissues (connective tissue cells and fibers, ground substance, composition in embryos and adult tissues, adult supportive tissues), the muscle tissue (smooth, skeletal, cardiac muscles, and muscle stem cells), the nervous tissue (neurons, macroglia, microglia, peripheral nervous tissue, central nervous tissue, meninges, blood vessels and cerebrospinal fluid, and neural stem cells), and blood and bone marrow.

During the practical activities the student will learn to use the optical microscope and the main techniques (conventional and advances) used to study the cell and the tissues.

 

The syllabus is structured as follows:

Lectures:

CYTOLOGY

• The cell membranes and the nucleus (2 h)
• The other main organelles (2 h)
• The cytoskeleton (2h)

EMBRYOLOGY

• From gametogenesis to the formation of the germ layers (4 h)

HISTOLOGY

• Epithelium (4 h)
• Connective and supportive tissue (2 h)
• Muscle tissue (2 h)
• Nervous tissue (4 h)
• Blood and bone marrow (2 h)

 

Laboratory/Practical Sessions:

• Conventional and advanced microscopy (4 h)
• The study of the histological samples (2 h)

Readings/Bibliography

The teaching materials for this course are available on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en).

 

Supplementary reading:

• Jo. Ann Eurell, Brian L. Frappier – Dellmann’sTextbook of Veterinary Histology – Blackwell Publishing, 2006, 6th edition
• William J. Bacha, JR. and Linda M. Bacha - Color Atlas of Veterinary Histology – Wiley-Blackwell, 2012, 3rd edition
• Cell Biology, TD Pollard - C William – J Lippincott-Schwartz – G Johnson, Elsevier, 2023, 4th edition.
• Essentials of veterinary histology & embryology, RK Ghosh, Current Books International, 4th edition.
• Veterinary Embryology, TA McGeady – PJ Quinn - ES Fitzpatrick, John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2017, 2nd edition.

Teaching methods

The course includes both theoretical lectures and practical/laboratory sessions.

During the practical lessons, students will have the opportunity to learn the main techniques aimed to study the cell and the tissues.

They will approach the use of the optical microscope, then using histological slices to learn how to study and recognize the main characteristic of the different tissues, and their contextualization in organs and systems of the considered animal species.

This hands-on approach will give to the student the basic principle of conventional microscopy analysis of cells and tissues.

Considering the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance for this course requires the successful completion of Modules 1 and 2 via e-learning, and Module 3 on health and safety training in study environments. Information about the schedule and access to Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Program website.

Participation in practical and laboratory sessions requires wearing a lab coat and appropriate footwear. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable latex gloves, will be provided as needed.

Assessment methods

The assessment for the Integrated Course “The Cell: from Molecules to Tissues” consists of two parts:

• First part: a written multiple-choice test including 30 questions covering all topics of the component courses of the Integrated Course. The test is designed to assess the student's overall knowledge of the expected learning outcomes.

The number of questions for each component course is proportional to the number of CFU assigned to it:

Fundamentals of Chemistry: 7 questions

Cellular Metabolism: 10 questions

Cell Physiology: 4 questions

Veterinary Cytology, Embryology, and Histology: 9 questions

Each correct answer is awarded 1 point. No points are deducted for incorrect or unanswered questions.

The duration of the written test is 1 hour.

The written test is considered passed if the student obtains a minimum score of 18/30 and achieves at least 50% of the correct answers in each component course of the Integrated Course.

No supplementary materials or electronic devices (e.g., calculators, tablets, smartwatches, computers) may be used during the exam, except for those explicitly allowed by the instructor.

The results of the written exam will be published within 5 working days on the Virtuale Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it/?lang=en ) by the designated course contact.

• Second part: a practical examination, which includes the identification and description of a histological specimen, aimed at verifying specific practical and communication skills.

The exam is considered passed only if all parts are successfully completed.

The final grade for the Integrated Course corresponds to the grade obtained in the written test. Students who achieve 30/30 in the written test may be awarded 30 cum laude based on their performance in the practical examination.

Negative results are not graded numerically but recorded as “withdrawn” or “failed” in the electronic transcript on AlmaEsami, and do not affect the student’s academic record.

Grades for individual parts and the final grade will be published on the AlmaEsami platform (https://almaesami.unibo.it/?lang=en) within 5 working days of the date of the exam.

Students may reject the final grade 2 times, by informing the course examiner via email within 5 working days.

The designated course contact for this course is Vito Antonio Baldassarro.

Students can register for exams through the AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/). Exams are scheduled during the designated periods in the academic calendar. Additional sessions are available for students beyond the standard program duration.

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.

With regard to the learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Slides, anatomical preparations and models, and interactive resources. Slides will be made available to students.

Teaching materials are available on the Virtuale platform and could be reached through the link on the teacher webpage.

In case of difficulty understanding the course content, the instructor is available for clarification meetings, which must be scheduled via email.

Office hours

See the website of Vito Antonio Baldassarro