OVERVIEW

The course 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.

Attention will also be given to the pathophysiological events that characterize the tissues and cells.

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

The Course includes classroom teaching lessons on topics of citology and histology as well as tutorials devoted to the observation of histological preparations by optical microscope and by monitors connected with optical microscopes. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

EUKARYOTIC CELL:

The main steps in eukaryotic cell evolution

The plasma membrane:

Structure and functions

Membrane transports

Endocytosis and esocytosis

Transport vesicles

The cytoplasm:

Ribosomes

Internal membranous system

Rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

Smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (REL)

Golgi apparatus

Lysosomes

Secretory lysosomes

Peroxisomes

Mitochondria

TISSUES:

Connective tissue:

Extracellular matrix:

•          fibers

•          ground substance

Mesenchymal stem cells

Cell components of connective tissue: fixed (fibrocytes, mast cells, macrophages, dendritic cells) and migrants (NK cells, granulocytes)

Connective tissue proper

Support connective tissue: cartilage and bone tissue

Ossification

Trophic connective tissue: blood (plasma and figurative) elementsand lymph

Lymphatic tissue

Cells of the innate and adaptive immune system (T and B lymphocytes)

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 di Monesi 7° edizione Casa Editrice Piccin

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

TIZIANA BACHETTI (President)

SIMONA CANDIANI (President)

ROBERTA CASTRICONI (President)

MARIELLA DELLA CHIESA (President)

ALESSANDRA DONDERO (President)

EMANUELA MARCENARO (President)

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Practical test and oral examination

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examamination includes two tests.

The first consists of a practical test where the student must describe two histological preparations by the use of optical microscope.

The second test, performing only upon the positive evaluation of the first test, consists of an oral examination that is subordinated to passing the practical test and which includes cytology questions and histology questions concerning the teaching content.

The examamination is always led by two different holders of the course and has a duration of at least 30 minutes (typically 45 minutes). With these modes, given the long experience of examinations in the discipline, the commission is able to verify with high accuracy the achievement of learning outcomes When these are not reached, the student is invited to deepen the study and to take advantage of further explanation by the teacher.

Exam schedule