LEARNING OUTCOMES

Know structure, organization and function of different human tissues and morphological-functional characteristics of cells that compose them.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course is to provide the student with a complete view of the morphological and functional organization of tissues, with particular attention to the cells that compose them.

To this aim, 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;

4. observe and appropriately describe a histological structure in optical microscopy.

During the last lessons of the course, students are given some knowledge assessment tests to which students respond individually and anonymously. Immediately after each test, feedback is provided by the teacher, who immediately shows the correct answers. A moment of discussion of the topics that emerged in the tests follows, with the possibility for the teacher to clarify any doubts.

The expected learning outcomes are:
1. Knowledge and understanding.
a. Knowledge of the terminology of the discipline
b. Knowledge of investigation methods in cytology and histology
c. Knowledge of the subcellular, cellular and tissue structures of the human body
d. Knowledge of the mechanisms through which the organization of the different structures of the human body is achieved
e. Understanding of the morpho-functional characteristics of the microscopic and ultrastructural organization of human cells and supracellular units, represented by tissues, multi-tissue units and morphofunctional units.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding.
a. Knowing how to recognize and describe in an appropriate way a histological structure in optical microscopy, starting from its cellular organization.
b. Integrate knowledge relating to the mechanisms of cell differentiation, interactions between cells and histogenesis with related functional and clinical aspects.

3. Transversal skills.
The acquired knowledge is essential cultural background for a full understanding of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the organs and systems of the human body

PREREQUISITES

General knowledge of chemistry, biology and genetics

TEACHING METHODS

Class teaching and practical exercises for the recognition of histological preparations

It is possible that the method of conducting the lessons is changed due to emergency situations that prevent the performance of the lessons in attendance. In this case the lessons will be carried out through the Teams platform using suitable replacement teaching tools. For the practical part, high resolution slide images and / or virtual microscope will be used.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

EUKARYOTIC CELL:

The main steps in eukaryotic cell evolution

The plasma membrane:

Structure and functions

Membrane transports

Endocytosis and esocytosis

The cytoplasm:

Hyaloplasm

Ribosomes

Rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

Smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (REL)

Golgi apparatus

Lysosomes

Peroxisomes

Mitochondria

The cytoskeleton

Cell movement

Cell motility and intracellular transport

Cell junctional comlexes

The nucleous

The nucleolus

Cell cycle and mitosis

TISSUES:

Epithelial tissue:

Main characteristics of epithelia

Lining epithelia: organization and classification

Structural surface differentiations of epithelial cells (microvilli, stereocilia, cilia)

Secretory epithelia:

•          exocrine glands

•          endocrine glands

Connective tissue:

Extracellular matrix:

•          fibers

•          ground substance

Cell components of connective tissue

Connective tissue proper

Support connective tissue: cartilage and bone tissue

Ossification

Trophic connective tissue: blood and lymph

Lymphatic tissue

Cells of the innate and adaptive immune system

Muscle tissue:

• striated skeletal and cardiac muscle
• smooth muscle tissue

Myofibril structure and muscle  contraction

Nerve tissue:

• neurons
• glial cells
• nerve fibers
• synapses and impulse transmission

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Istologia di Monesi 7° edizione Casa Editrice Piccin

Citologia, Istologia e Anatomia Microscopica a cura di D. Zaccheo e M. Pestarino Casa Editrice Pearson

Atlante on-line (accesso libero): http://www.istologia.unige.it/

Istologia (testo e atlante) di M.H. Ross e W. Pawlina Casa Editrice Ambrosiana