Molecular Organization of Cells. Extracellular matrix. Generality on metabolism: autotrophic and heterotrophic. Bioenergetics: cellular respiration and photosynthesis. DNA, chromosomes, RNA, protein synthesis. Regulation of gene expression. Cell cycle, mitosis. Meiosis. Gametogenesis. Signal transduction. Genetic elements. Molecular genetics. Virus
Course Content - Part B
Molecular organization of cells. Extracellular matrix. DNA, chromosomes,RNA, protein synthesis. Cell cycle, mitosis. Meiosis. Signal transduction. Gene expression. Elements of genetics. Molecular genetics.
E. Ginelli, M. Malcovati Molecole, Cellule ed Organismi EdiSES
De Leo, “Biologia a Genetica” EdiSES ed.
Wolfe, “Elementi di biologia cellulare” EdiSES ed.
Brooker «Biologia Generale» McGrawHill ed
Russel, “Biologia” EdiSES ed.
E. Ginelli, M. Malcovati Molecole, Cellule ed Organismi EdiSES
De Leo, "Biologia a Genetica" EdiSES ed.
Wolfe, "Elementi di biologia cellulare" EdiSES ed.
Brooker «Biologia Generale» McGrawHill ed
Learning Objectives - Part A
Provide basic knowledge about major biological macromolecules, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure and major metabolic pathways. Define the principles of genetic information, cell division mechanisms and cellular homeostasis. Deepen the concept of transcription and protein synthesis. Also, provide the mechanisms behind the cellular metabolic activities, especially in terms of cell death and regeneration
Learning Objectives - Part B
Aim of the course, organized in lectures, is to provide to the student the basic knowledge necessary for the comprehension of biological issues during the degree. The course will focus on fundamental biology topics such as prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function as well as the main metabolic pathways; genetic information flux, cell division mechanisms and cell homeostasis; to provide the mechanisms of transcription and translation. Moreover, to provide the mechanisms of cell metabolism related to cell death and regeneration.
Prerequisites - Part A
none
Teaching Methods - Part A
Lessons in the presence of the teacher and distance lessons through the e-learning platform of the University.
Teaching Methods - Part B
lectures
Type of Assessment - Part A
Compulsory distance activities through the e-learning platform at the University and final oral exam. The final vote will be the average of the marks obtained with distance activities and the oral exam.
Type of Assessment - Part B
final oral exam
Course program - Part A
Definition of living organism. Organization in cells, size in the living world. Carbohydrates: Generic structure and functional groups. Monosaccharides, classification in aldose and ketosis. Cyclization of monosaccharides. The O-glyosidic bond. Polysaccharides. Starch, cellulose and glycogen. Oligosaccharides: destrine. Disaccharides: maltose, lactose and sucrose. Lipids: Glycerol and fatty acids. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Essential fatty acids. External bonds between glycerol and fatty acid in the lipids. Triacilglycerols or triglycerides. Phospholipids or phosphoglycerides. Sphingolipids. Cholesterol. Function of the various lipid classes. Amino acids and proteins. Structure. Amino and carboxyl group, group R. Carbon alfa. Classification based on polarity: hydrophobic amino acids (aliphatic and aromatic) and polar (neutral and loads). Special features of glycine and proline. Classification based on the essential character in nutrition. The peptide bond. Proteins. Primary structure. Terminals N- and C- terminals. Covalent skeleton. Groups R. Importance of the amino acid sequence for a protein. Secondary structure. Alpha-propeller structure. Parallel and antiparallel leaf structure. Ripening protein and mixed proteins. Tertiary structure. Interactions responsible for the tertiary structure. Quaternary structure. Functional protein classification. Hormones: Classification Nucleic Acids: structure and function. Autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms. Prokaryotes. Bacterial Cell: Structure. Eukaryotes: animal and plant cells: cellular organelles (R.E., nucleus, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, centrioles and cytoskeleton). Functions. The Origin of Life on Earth, Miller's Experiment. Biological clock. Cell membrane, structure and function. Transport through the membrane: passive, diffusion, active. Mitochondria and chloroplasts: structure and function. Breathing and photosynthesis. Lactic fermentation, why? Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. Enzymes. Function and general features. Active site and specificity of the enzyme-substrate binding. Functional Classification of Enzymes. Enzymatic activity. Factors that influence enzymatic activity (pH, temperature and substrate concentration). Metabolism, general concepts. Catabolism and anabolism. Production and use of energy by cells. ATP Total energy yield of carbohydrate catabolism. Central dogma of biology. DNA as the site of genetic information. The Molecular Fundamentals of Heredity: DNA as a Transforming Agent. Chromatin, histones. Organization of procariate genomes and eukaryotes. The interface nucleus and the chromosomes. DNA duplication and copy fidelity. Viruses: bacterial and animal viral loop and lysogenic. RNA and DNA. Cell division: mitosis and cell cycle. Meiosis, possible mistakes during meiosis: aneuploidy, polyploidy. Asexual cellular reproduction, bacteria. Sexual cell reproduction: oogenesis, spermatogenesis. Transcription. RNA processing. Messaging messengers in eukaryotes. Translation, prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes. Genetic code. Protein Biosynthesis. Point mutations. Genotype and phenotype. Alleles: Generated by mutations, multiple alleles: blood groups. Adjusting gene expression. Cell death (apoptosis, necrosis) General principles of stem cells. Recombinant DNA: Generality. Model organisms: meaning and applications.
Course program - Part B
General characteristics of stem cells. Principles of recombinant DNA. Model organisms: definitions and examples.