OVERVIEW

The course of Cytology and Histology and Laboratory is structured starting with the study of the cell and then to study tissues and systems, with frequent references to important chemical and physical phenomena. Finally, the course also wants to give the essential guidelines on methods for studying cells and tissues. Part of the course will be devoted to the practical part (recognition of histological preparations) that will take place in well-equipped laboratories

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course consists of theoretical lessons and practical exercises. The main purpose is to provide the basic knowledge of the eukaryotic cell at the morpho-functional and molecular level, and to understand how the cells are organized in different vertebrate tissues. At the end of the course the student will be able to recognize histologic specimens at the optical microscope.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course thus aims at:

1. provide basic concepts on morphology, cellular and molecular organization of human tissues;

2. describe the functional properties of the various tissues and cells that compose them, focusing on physiopathological aspects as well.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal teaching and practical exercises in the laboratory with optic microscope

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Cells and life. The chemistry of the cell: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. The cell: structure and ultrastructure. Plasma membrane: structural models, membrane transport, glycocalice, membrane specialization, internal membranes and cell compartmentation. Cytoplasmic organization. Ribosomes, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, protein synthesis, lysosomes and peroxisomes. Pinocytosis, endocytosis, esocytosis and phagocytosis. Cytoskeleton, cell movement and intracellular transport. Mitochondria. The nucleus: cytosckeleton and nucleoplasm. Chromatin, chromosomes, nucleole, karyotype and sexual chromosomes. Cell cycle: mitosis and mitotic apparatus.

Histology: tissues and organs. Epithelia tissue. Main characteristics of epithelia. Lining epithelia: organization and classification. Structural surface differentiations of epithelial cells (microvilli, stereocilia, cilia). Secretory epithelia: exocrine glands and endocrine glands. Connective tissue: extracellular matrix: (fibers and ground substance). Cell components of connective tissue. Connective tissue proper. Support connective tissue: cartilage and bone tissue. Ossification. Blood and lymph. Hemopoietic system. Blood. Muscle tissue: striated skeletal and cardiac muscle, smooth muscle tissue. Myofibril structure and muscle contraction. Nerve tissue: neurons, glial cells, nerve fibers, synapses and impulse transmission.

In the laboratory will be carried out the following procedures: methods and instruments for the study of cell and tissue: optical and electronic microscopes, histological techniques, in vitro cell culture, immunocytochemistry. Preparation and observation of histological sections of the following tissues: epithelials (lining and glandular), connective (tissue proper, cartilage, bone, blood), muscular (smooth, skeletal striated and cardiac) and nervous.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Citologia, Istologia e Anatomia microscopica. A cura di Zaccheo D. e Pestarino M. Pearson Education Italia, Milano (Euro 74,00 – Libro + DVD). A disposizione (scaricabili da Aula WEB) lezioni in Power Point e video usati nel corso.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SIMONA CANDIANI (President)

CRISTIANO ANGELINI

MARIO PESTARINO

LESSONS

Class schedule

CYTOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY AND LABORATORY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral. It is always conducted by the teachers of course for at least 30 minutes (typically 45 minutes). With these methods, given the multi-year experience of exams in the discipline, the commission is able to verify with high accuracy the achievement of the learning objectives of the teaching. When these are not achieved, the student is invited to deepen the study and to make further explanations by the professors.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral examination with morphological examination of histological samples. The exam is aimed at evaluating the knowledge of the fundamental elements of the cell and tissues organization  and  and the ability to link the various topics.

Exam schedule