OVERVIEW

The course titled "Biology II" aims to integrate the knowledge of "functional histology" and cell biology by aiming to provide students with knowledge about the organization and function of cells and human tissues with particular attention to the connection between morphology and function. 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

Know structure, organization and function of different human tissues and morphological-functional characteristics of cells that compose them.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

In order to provide the student with a complete view of the tissue organization, basic and advanced methods for analyzing the organization of human tissues and how this organization is instrumental in ensuring full homeostatic tissue function are discussed.

The course thus aims at:

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

2. discuss in depth the cellular and molecular characteristics of the different stem cell populations in the various tissues;

3. 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 and with optic microscope

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

EUKARYOTIC CELL:

The main steps in eukaryotic cell evolution

The plasma membrane:

Structure and functions

Membrane transports

Endocytosis and esocytosis

The cytoplasm:

Hyaloplasm

Ribosomes

Rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

Smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (REL)

Golgi apparatus

Lysosomes

Peroxisomes

Mitochondria

The cytoskeleton

Cell movement

Cell motility and intracellular transport

Cell junctional comlexes

The nucleous

The nucleolus

Cell cycle and mitosis

TISSUES:

Epithelial tissue:

Main characteristics of epithelia

Lining epithelia: organization and classification

Structural surface differentiations of epithelial cells (microvilli, stereocilia, cilia)

Secretory epithelia:

•          exocrine glands

•          endocrine glands

Connective tissue:

Extracellular matrix:

•          fibers

•          ground substance

Cell components of connective tissue

Connective tissue proper

Support connective tissue: cartilage and bone tissue

Ossification

Trophic connective tissue: blood and lymph

Lymphatic tissue

Cells of the innate and adaptive immune system

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

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Citologia, Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica a cura di D. Zaccheo e M. Pestarino Casa Editrice Pearson

Alberts et al.,  Biologia molecolare della cellula, Zanichelli

Istologia (testo e atlante) di M.H. Ross e W. Pawlina Casa Editrice Ambrosiana

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SIMONA CANDIANI (President)

ROBERTA CASTRICONI (President)

EMANUELA MARCENARO (President)

ALESSANDRO MORETTA (President)

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

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.