39189 - Biology applied to Biomedical Studies

Learning outcomes

Knowledge of the main cellular functions with emphasis on mechanisms involved in the following processes: expression, duplication and transmission of genetic information, development, cell differentiation and proliferation, cellular interactions between cells. Knowledge of the transmission and expression of hereditary traits in humans.

Course contents

LIVING SYSTEMS Key features of living systems. The central dogma of biology. The cell theory. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

WATER AND BIOMOLECULES Biological functions of water; the importance of carbon to life; structure and biological activity of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

FROM GENOTYPE TO PHENOTYPE The informational molecules. The eukaryotic gene structure .DNA transcription, maturation of primary transcripts, genetic code and translation. Regulation of gene expression.

THE EUKARYOTIC CELL General organization of the eukaryotic cell. The plasma membrane: plasma membrane chemical composition, membrane transport mechanisms, signals and receptors, membrane antigens. The nucleus: chromatine and chromosomes. The intracellular membrane system: structure and function of endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and lysosome. Mitochondria: structure and inheritance.

MOLECULAR, CELLULAR AND ORGANISM REPRODUCTION. DNA replication. Cell cycle. Mitosis. Meiosis. The gametes in humans.

GENETICS. MONOFACTORIAL INHERITANCE Mendelian laws. Autosomal inheritance. X-linked inheritance.

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

Readings/Bibliography

Solomon E.P., Berg R.L., Martin D.V. - Elementi di biologia - Ed. EdiSES

two issues edition:

Solomon E.P., Berg R.L., Martin D.V. - Genetica: La continuità della vita - Ed. EdiSES

Solomon E.P., Berg R.L., Martin D.V. – La cellula - Ed. EdiSES

Sadava D., Orians G.H., Heller H.C. – Elementi di Biologia e Genetica- Ed. Zanichelli

two issues edition:

Purves W.K., Sadava D., Orians G.H., Heller H.C. - L'informazione e l'ereditarietà - Ed. Zanichelli

Purves W.K., Sadava D., Orians G.H., Heller H.C. - La cellula - Ed. Zanichelli)

Campbell NA-Reece JB (Urry, Cane, Wassermann, Minorsky, Jackson) - Biologia e Genetica - ED Pearson

two issues edition:

Campbell-Reece –Biologia. Fascicolo1 La chimica della vita e la cellula – Ed. Pearson Benjiamin Cummings

Campbell-Reece –Biologia. Fascicolo2 La genetica– Ed. Pearson Benjiamin Cummings

Teaching methods

Frontal teaching.

Study classroom activities led by the teacher with the aim of helping the student to clarify and deepen the topics previously discussed

Self-assessment test

Assessment methods

Written test (lasting 1 hour) based on 32 questions with multiple choice answers or open answers. Each correct answer is assessed a point. 18 points are needed to pass the test.

Possible restrictions due to the evolution of the COVID-19 emergency could make it necessary replace the written test with an oral exam in telematic mode through the Teams platform.

Teaching tools

PC to show drawings and diagrams taken from texts or scientific articles, and short films.

Teaching materials will be available at https://virtuale.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Cinzia Zucchini