85242 - BIOLOGIA APPLICATA

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student possesses the knowledge and ability to understand the organization and composition of living substance, functions of cell organelles, intercellular communication, basic concepts of genetics, and applications in health care.

Course contents

1. PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY
- Biology: science that investigates the characteristics of living systems.
- Hierarchy of organization; correlation between structure and function; search for unity in diversity; interaction between organisms and environment; cellular basis of life; inheritance of genetic information.
- Cell theory. Main differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

2. THE EUKARYOTIC CELL
-The plasma membrane: structure and functions; membrane transport.
-The intracellular membrane system: structures and functions of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes (exocytosis and endocytosis).
- The nucleus: structure; chromatin, chromosomes and karyotype; functions.
- The mitochondria: structure and inheritance

3. THE EXPRESSION OF GENETIC INFORMATION
- Organization of genetic information: the human genome; structure and function of eukaryotic genes.
- Expression of genetic information assets: transcription; maturation of primary transcripts; the translation genetic code; translation.
- The regulation of gene expression.

4. REPRODUCTION
- DNA duplication. The cycle of cell division.
- Mitosis and meiosis: biological significance and mechanisms.
- Gametogenesis (hint)

5. PRINCIPLES OF GENETICS
- Significance of Mendel's experiments.
- Autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance.
- Mutations: definition, causes and classification.
- Genomic mutations.

Readings/Bibliography

- Biologia & Genetica - Chiara Donati, Massimo Stefani, Niccolò Taddei - I edizione - Zanichelli

- Elementi di Biologia e Genetica - Paolo Bonaldo, Concetta Crisafulli, Rosalia D'Angelo, Maura Francolini, Stefania Grimaudo, Carmela Rinaldi, Paola Riva, Maria Grazia Romanelli - 2019 EdiSES

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Assessment methods

The acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills will be verified by an oral test.
The final grade will be obtained from the average of the marks obtained in the individual modules of the integrated course.

Teaching tools

PC and video projector for presentation of slides containing illustrative images and diagrams from scientific texts and articles, and viewing of instructional videos useful for further study of some cellular processes.

Teaching materials presented in class, detailed syllabus, recommended textbooks and any additional materials that will be provided through the teaching support platform-Virtual.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Caracausi