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 knowledge, understanding and a strong foundation in  cell biology and the basics in genetics.

By attending class and by studying on their own, students will be able to:

• understand how animal cells are structurally and functionally organized;
• learn inter-cellular communication principles and physiological interactions between cells and their extracellular environment;
• understand cell metabolism and cell replication versus reproduction;
• acquire knowledge on how cell genetic information is inherited, expressed and modulated;
• develop specific know-how, while improving their learning and communication skills along with thei capacity of critical analysis.

This class will allow students to fully develop strong understanding of the basics in biology and genetics. This will help them to build strong foundation to further expand their knowledge on the main relevant physiological and pathological processes in physical activity and professional sport performance.

TEACHING METHODS

Students are required to attend class for at least 75% of the scheduled lessons.

The module will include 30 hours of lecturing; each lecture will take place weekly and will last 4 hours (but for the first one, as set of about 2 hours for introduction of the module).

Class will be managed as frontal lectures with Power Point notes. Basics in cell biology and genetics will be addressed during class by means of active discussion engaged by the Lecturer via examples and specific practice exercise.

Students will have to go through the main topics explained at class and be able to solve genetic quiz.

Students can take advantage of online material (lectures power point notes) available on the AulaWeb website; Lecturer can be reached via email to arrange specific 1-to-1 meeting for further assistance/explanation as needed.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

This module will address the following main topics:

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

Power point notes of class lectures are available for students to be downloaded from AulaWeb. Files are  strictly for personal use only; files must not be shared on social media, posted on any internet website or put on any sharing platform; files must not be printed out for sale or photocopied.

The following textbook can be also taken in consideration as reference, but it does not replace frontal lectures:

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

The Italian version is:

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

Other basic biology and genetics textbooks can be also used, providing they are intended for University Master Degree courses.