In the course of biological evolution will be developed topics related to the old and new evolutionary theories. The biological evolution in recent decades has increasingly adopted a molecular approach in order to understand the evolution of genomes and cell types present in multi-cellular organisms. Moreover, the bioinformatics help to resolve the evolutionary history of species thanks to the analysis of gene sequences.
The course aims to investigate the following aspects: Evolution of species. Evolutionary theories. Molecular evolution. Evolutionary mechanisms underlying the evolution of genomes. Bioinformatic and phylogenetic trees reconstruction.
Attendance and participation in the planned training activities (lectures and computer activities) will allow the student to acquire the most important aspects of this course. Specifically, the student will be able to: 1. to describe the basic notions on the evolution of species and evolutionary theories; 2. describe the main evolutionary mechanisms underlying the evolution of genomes; 3. look for homologous gene sequences and construct phylogenetic trees.
To adress the teaching content is necessary to have basic knowledge on biology, organic and inorganic chemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry.
The teaching consists of lectures and exercises in the computer room. Lectures are carried out with the help of powerpoint presentations.
The course focus on the following aspects: - From Darwin's side: old and new evolutionary theories - The history of the Celacanto: the living fossil fish and the conquest of the land that emerged - Dinosaurs among us: their descendants surviving extinction - From bats to whales: the opposite extremisms of the adaptive radiation of mammals - Molecular evolution: aminoacids, RNA and DNA. - Evolution of the cell types that constitute the current multicellular organisms. - Evolution of genomes, genetic variability and evolution.
- Evolution and embryonic development: Evo-Devo. - Phylogenetic trees and bioinformatics.
All the PowerPoint presentations and other teaching material will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lessons / exercises. The recommended texts are:
-Marco Ferraguti e Carla Castellacci.Evoluzione. Modelli e processi. Pearson Education pagine 456. ISBN 9788871926247 -David Sadava, Craig H Heller, Gordon H Orians,William K Purves, David M. Hillis.
-Biologia, Volume 3, L'evoluzione e la biodiversità. Zanichelli pagine 360 ISBN 9788808202123
-Douglas J. Futuyma L' evoluzione Zanichelli pagine 701 ISBN: 8808166929
- Mason K.A., Losos J.B. Singer S.R. - Evoluzione e diversità della vita. Piccin Editore, Padova
- Futuyma D.J. - L'evoluzione. Zanichelli Editore, Bologna
Ricevimento: It is fixed by the teacher in agreement with the students
SIMONA CANDIANI (President)
ROBERTO PRONZATO
From the second semester. The timetable will be agreed with the students.
The exam consists of a written and an oral part. The written exam will be done with multiple choice questions and open questions.
The written and oral examination will focus on the topics covered during the lectures and exercises by the computer and will have the purpose to assess both the correct understanding of the topics, and the ability of the student to apply what is acquired.
Attendance at lessons is strongly recommended.
