Ateneo - UPO

Ultrastructure and metabolism of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Genetics: genes and their expression, cell division and heredity.

- Lesson presentations
- Elementi di Biologia. E. P. Solomon, C. E. Martin, D. W. Martin, L. R. Berg. EDISES (2021)
- Biologia. David Sadava David M. Hillis H. Craig Heller Sally Hacker. Zanichelli
Vol. 1 La cellula
Vol. 2 L’ereditarietà e il genoma
- Elementi di biologia e genetica P. H. Raven, G. B. Johnson, K.A. Mason, J.B. Losos, S.R. Singer. PICCIN
- L’essenziale di biologia molecolare della cellula. Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Karen Hopkin. Zanichelli.

The aim of this course is to describe, with a unified and integrated approach, the fundamental principles of biology, from the unicellular to the organism level. The student will acquire basic knowledges on ultrastructure and metabolism of prokaryotic cell, animal and plant eukaryotic cells, and on genetics with particular reference to gene expression and heredity.

The teacher does not advise to address the study of matter without the appropriate culture provided by chemistry. The student should also have a property of language and scientific mastery.

Lessons in class.

The slides projected by the teacher during the lesson are available in the DIR section (Fundamentals of biology). Teacher will be available to discuss about the topics during lectures or by contacting him via mail. The teacher responds to the e-mails signed and coming from the domain name.surname@uniupo.it.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The purpose of the exam is to verify the level of knowledge into all the subjects present in the course program and the reasoning capacity developed by the student. The exam is a written test (75 minutes); it consists of both multiple-choice questions and open questions; in particular, the test includes theoretical questions and exercises to evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired. Open questions are judged for content and scientific language. The score assigned for each application is indicated. The final grade is expressed in thirtyth (minimum 18) and will take the partial votes obtained in the each question. No penalty will be applied if the answer is wrong. It is not permitted, during the test, to consult any type of material.

Cell biology module:
cells as undamental units of life. Macromolecules: nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates. Organization of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell (animal and plant). Biological membranes: plasmalemma and cellular transport (diffusion, passive transport, primary and secondary active transport); the endo-membrane system, endocytosis and exocytosis. The cytoskeleton. Cilia and flagella. Mitochondria. The nucleus. Distinctive features of the plant cell: cell wall, vacuole, plastids. Cellular communication. Cellular energy and metabolism. Photosynthesis. Cell division and the cell cycle. Sexual reproduction and meiosis. Viruses.
Genetics module:
inheritance, chromosomes and genes. DNA replication: DNA structure, replication and repair mechanisms. DNA transcription: structure and functions of RNA (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA), DNA transcription mechanism. The genetic code, Ribosomes and the mRNA translation mechanism. The control of gene expression.

At the end of the course the students should have learned
the ultrastructure of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the metabolic processes that characterize them, the mechanisms of DNA replication and expression and the transfer of genetic information.
1) KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING SKILLS –
He will be able to recognize biological macromolecules, recognize cellular structures, localize biological macromolecule production processes, associate cellular structures and functions. He will also be able to know the structural differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the mechanisms of expression and transfer of gene information.
2) ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING –
He will be able to use and integrate the knowledge and skills acquired with those derived from other courses.
3) AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT: He will acquire the ability to critically analyze topics related to cell biology.
4) COMMUNICATION SKILLS: He will have use of a scientific lexicon concerning the cell and its mechanisms both in oral and written communication.
5) JUDGMENT AUTONOMY - He will acquire the ability to use the teaching material provided for a critical and reasoned study of the topics covered and will also be able to deepen and update independently, by reading texts and scientific articles related to all the topics covered during the course.