15950 - Biology and Genetics

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. INHERITANCE Mendelian laws. Monofactorial inheritance.

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

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

Self-assessment test

Assessment methods

The verification of learning takes place through the final exam, which ascertains the acquisition of the knowledge and skills expected for the courses of Biology, General Genetics and Medical Genetics. The exam will be a written test that can take place, based on restrictions and need to maintain social distancing dictated by the COVID-19 emergency, in two ways. The exam mode will be decided by the teachers based on the dynamic evolution of this situation.

Method 1: written test lasting 1 hour. The test is based on quizzes with multiple choice answers and open-ended questions for a total of 32 questions divided as follows: 16 questions concerning Biology, 8 questions concerning General Genetics and 8 questions related to Medical Genetics topics. Each correct answer is evaluated one point. The exam is passed if the student has acquired a minimum score of 18 points and has correctly answered at least 8 questions of Biology, 4 of General Genetics and 4 of Medical Genetics.

Method 2: 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