OVERVIEW

This Applied Biology module is part of the General Biology and Preparatory Biochemistry class and it covers 30 hours lecturing of basic biology and genetics for a total of 3 CFU.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Applied Biology program will cover the main topics in Biology and Genetics which students will nedd to further understand the academic course in Physical Education Science.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This class will help students to develop basic knowledge and a strong foundation on:

• the structural and functional organization of uni- and pluricellular living organisms, in terms of their relationship with the extracellular space and other cells, signal transduction mechanisms, energetic metabolism, proliferation, duplication and cell cycle regulation;
• the functional structure, transmission, regulation and expression of the genetic information within the cell.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures with power point slides

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction. Molecular and functional role of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. Origin of life and cells.

The cell theory. Prokariotic and Eukariotic cell structure. Extracellular structure and matrix. Cell membrane: structure, functional roles and trans-membrane transport.

Intercellular communication, common signal transduction pathways.

ATP as master key of energy transfer; enzyme stucture and functional definition.

Cell metabolism: glucose oxidation; aereobic and anaerobic glucose catabolism.

Cell cycle and cell proliferation. Mitosis. Meiosis. Apoptosis and necrosis. Introduction to cancer cells.

Modern genetics: the Mendel's laws. Functional role of allels, genes, chromosomes. Different patterns of transmission of inherited genetic traits.

Functional role of DNA: chemical structure, replication and repair mechanisms.

From DNA to proteins: DNA transcription into mRNA and transduction of the genetic information into a complete polypeptide. The genetic code.

Genetic mutations and molecular medicine. Regulation of genetic expression in viruses, prokariotic and eukariotic cells; alternative splicing.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sadava, Hillis, Heller, Berenbaum. Life, The Science Of Biology ( 9th Ed.)

Italian translation:

Sadava, Hillis, Heller, Berenbaum. Elementi di biologia e genetica. Quarta Edizione italiana condotta sulle decima edizione americana. Zanichelli.

Extra information can be found on: www.online.universita.zanichelli.it/sadava-4e

Power point slides of lectures are available (for strictly personal use) on AulaWeb. It is severely forbidden to post slides on the internet, to pass it on to third and to post it on social media.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SVEVA BOLLINI (President)

ENRICO MILLO (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

October 24th 2018

Class schedule

APPLIED BIOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

7 assigned dates during the academic year. Oral interview

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1-to-1 discussion about the main topics illustrated during class

Exam schedule