OVERVIEW

This course introduces the student to the cell main functions and mechanisms. The fundamental notions of the cell biology -from the inner cell organization up to the handling of the genetic information- will be discussed in order to present the cell as the living functional autonomous unit and to evidence its properties that are useful and mandatory to generate tissues and organs.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The students will learn how fundamental molecular mechanisms regulate the main cellular functions, starting with morphology and internal organization of the cell to end up with the processing of the genetic information and the generation of specialized cell types. The main aim is to clearly define the cell as an autonomous functional living unit as well as a component of a higher-grade hierarchical order in living tissues and organs. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student must retain: a) knowledge of the differences in morphology among prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; b) knowledge of the structure, function and molecular details of all cell organelles; c) knowledge of the control mechanisms of cell homeostasis, of cell functions and of gene expression; d) knowledge of the principles of genetic transmission, ranging from Mendel's laws to the molecular mechanisms ruling DNA duplication, cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis. Such knowledge is considered mandatory for the student to be able to deepen, in the following years, his/her competence  in cell metabolism and biochemistry and to be able to interpret the cell as a living unit suitable of therapeutic approaches.

TEACHING METHODS

The course lasts 48 hours of front lessons, provided either in presence or on-line –through the informatics software platforms available in the University- during which lesson items are presented through PowerPoint presentations; critical discussion and observations during lessons are encouraged. In some lessons interactive teaching, by means of freely available web resources, will also be performed. Textual and non-textual material is available for the students on the AulaWeb site, through controlled access, as well as a simulation of the written text to trial students’ competence and learning.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is essentially divided into six main themes. The first is dedicated to the Biological Macromolecules and it will present the essential characteristics of the most relevant biological molecules (water, lipids, carbohydrates and proteins) and of their chemical bonds, to elucidate their functions and to provide a proper basic knowledge for the comprehension of the remaining parts of the course. The second part –Cytology- will deal with the morphological organization of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Detailed anatomy and functions will be examined for the cell membrane (different membrane models, lipid composition, endo- and exocytosis functions, secretion pathways) and for the cell organelles (Golgi apparatus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, peroxisomes, mitochondria, nucleus, including chromatin structure and cytoskeletal organization). The third part – Cell interactions- will deal with cellular communications, including extracellular matrix proteins and their homophylic or heterophylic interactions. The entire fourth part is totally dedicated to Genomic Information and Expression (structure and characteristics of DNA and RNA, transcription, translation, regulation of gene expression, post-translational modifications of the proteins). The fifth subject is Cell Proliferation; cell cycle mechanisms and their regulations will be considered; apoptosis, cell transformation, mitosis, meiosis and a detailed description of gametogenesis will be subjects of regular lessons. Brief and general descriptions of embryo development and cell differentiation pathways, as well as their relevant control mechanisms, will also be presented. The last theme will deal with Genetics, introducing the biological effects and meaning of point, chromosomal and genomic mutations; Mendelian inheritance and laws will be presented, as well as heterochromosome-linked genetic diseases. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following list comprises the suggested textbook(s) for the course: 

Alberts et al. “L’essenziale di biologia molecolare della cellula”, Ed. Zanichelli

Becker et al.: “Il mondo della cellula”, Ed. Pearson

Karp et al.: “Biologia cellulare e molecolare”, Ed. EdiSES

Ginelli et al.: "Molecole, cellule e organismi", Ed. EdiSES

Alberts et al.  “Biologia molecolare della cellula”, Ed. Zanichelli

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PAOLO GIANNONI (President)

PAOLO GIORDANI (President)

RODOLFO QUARTO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Location, date and timetable of the lessons will be provided by the competent office.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test and of an oral part. The test, either written or provided on-line through the Esami.Aulaweb platform, includes 15 multiple-choice questions for the Animal Biology module, as well as 15 multiple-choice questions for the Vegetal Biology module, to be answered in a total of 30 minutes. Questions deal with any of the subjects presented and discussed during the regular lessons. Passing the written test is mandatory to gain access to the oral examination

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the ongoing lessons students will face tests, based on a game-to-learn approach, on specific parts of the program. The aim of these tests is to evidence possible scarce knowledge/comprehension of such portions   and to render the students familiar with the types of questions of the written final examination; however scores will not contribute to the final evaluation. In the formal exam session the student will have to pass the written part to evidence a retained overall knowledge of the subjects. The written test is considered passed if at least 9 answers out of 15, for each module, are correct.  Passing the written test allows access to the oral examination, during which the student will be asked to answer several questions, of graded difficulty and complexity, to evaluate his/her specific competence on the subjects, language and terminology, and correlation capacities. Students are also encouraged to fill-in a self-evaluation module (not mandatory) before and after the written test, and subsequently encouraged to confront their putative results with the real score, in order to stimulate a correct perception of the level of competence in the subject.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Dates and timetable of the written/oral exams will be provided by the competent office. Students who do not pass the written test are NOT allowed to retry at the following available date if the exam session falls before 30 (thirty days) from the failed attempt.

Teachers are available to trial students with training written tests before exam sessions, upon request. Tutor-driven training sessions are also encouraged, particularly for students that have attempted and failed the exam several times.