Ateneo - UPO

The module aims to provide the essential concepts of cellular and molecular biology that will provide the student with the necessary tools to get to know and describe in an organic way the structure of eukaryotic cells and their functions.

- Bonaldo, Crisafulli, D'Angelo, Francolini, Grimaudo, Rinaldi, Riva, Romanelli. Elementi di Biologia e Genetica. (Ed. EdiSES)
- Sadava , Hillis, Heller, Hacker. Elementi di Biologia e Genetica (Ed. Zanichelli)
- Raven, Johnson, Mason. Elementi di Biologia e Genetica (Ed. Piccin)

The course offers an integration of the concepts of cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology that will provide the student with the tools necessary to get to know and describe in an organic way the structure of eukaryotic cells and their functions.

The student must be in possession of basic concepts of chemistry, biology, and genetics, such as those offered at the high school.

Teaching methods include: lectures, active learning in the classroom and at distance.
Classroom activities :
o Lectures supported by presentations (ppt) with graphic illustrations, mind maps, optical and electronic microscopy photographs, animation films of cellular processes
o Classroom activities with active student participation (representation of cellular processes, instant polls, termination of exercises).
• Activities and online material (moodle):
o Educational material presented in class.
o Video recordings replacing the lectures
o Quiz, forums and workshops for learning and self-assessment

Support activity (tutoring/students with disabilities/working students)
• Students can ask questions and find study support through the moodle teaching forum
• Examples of exam tests are provided in online activities on moodle.
• Students with disorders that can affect learning (for example, color-blind, visually impaired, hearing-impaired, dyslexic or physically disabled students) are invited to contact the lecturer in order to adapt the teaching material, face-to-face and online activities and the their method of verification.
• Working students or non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher to determine how to achieve the expected skills.

The exam consists of a written test with multiple choice quizzes. The student will have to demonstrate to have acquired the basic notions of cellular and molecular biology, learned during the lessons, in an adequate manner to deal effectively with subsequent courses. Sufficiency is obtained by correctly answering at least 60% of the questions in each module.
CALENDAR AND REGISTRATION: The calendar of the exam sessions is published on the University portal. The attention of the students is drawn to the fact that the registration for the appeals closes within the established date indicated on the portal and is subject to the completion of the evaluation questionnaire of the teaching activity.

Cellular organization.
Prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. Cellular organelles, structure, and function.
Structure and function of biological membranes.
The lipid bilayer. Membrane proteins. Transport through the membrane of small molecules, ions, and particles. Endocytosis and exocytosis. Cell signaling.
Genetic information: from genes to proteins. DNA: double helix structure. Histones and chromosomal structures. DNA duplication. Semi-conservative model, DNA polymerase, continuous and discontinuous replication. Transcription: synthesis of messenger, transfer and ribosomal RNAs. Translation (protein synthesis): the genetic code; structure and function of ribosomes. Differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Gene regulation: the control of gene expression.
The cytoskeleton and the interactions between cells.
Microtubules, actin filaments, intermediate filaments. Cell junctions.
Cell cycle. Proliferation and cell death.

D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING ABILITY. At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate adequate knowledge of: differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; connection between chemical composition and function of biological macromolecules; cell structures of animal cells, function of organelles and components and functions of endomembrane and cytoskeletal systems; the Central Dogma and the relationship between genes and proteins; DNA replication processes, transcription and translation in eukaryotes
D2 - CAPACITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. The student will have to show the ability to use acquired knowledge and concepts to reason critically, showing the ability to make connections between different topics and to apply the acquired knowledge to analyze biology experiments.
D3 - JUDGMENT AUTONOMY. The student must demonstrate that he / she is able to critically examine the information acquired and to be able to independently discuss applications and application problems. Furthermore, he/she must be able to constructively judge the teaching provided.
D4 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS. The student will have to demonstrate possession of the ability to communicate the knowledge acquired to their colleagues and teachers using the terminology of cell biology.
D5- LEARNING SKILLS. The student must show possession of the learning ability useful for the continuous updating of knowledge in this discipline.