OVERVIEW

The course titled "Biology II" aims to integrate the knowledge of "functional histology" and cell biology by aiming to provide students with knowledge about the organization and function of cells and human tissues with particular attention to the connection between morphology and function.

AIMS AND CONTENT

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 laboratory for the recognition of histological preparations.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, should contact the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific teaching methods so that the learning aims and outcomes may be met.

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, Monesi. 7a ed. Casa Ed. Piccin.

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

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

Istologia (testo e atlante), M.H. Ross & W. Pawlina, Casa Ed. Ambrosiana.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ROBERTA CASTRICONI (President)

EMANUELA MARCENARO (President)

MARIELLA DELLA CHIESA

ALESSANDRA DONDERO

SILVIA PESCE

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons will take place in the second semester of the relevant academic year.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a practical part and an oral part.
The practical part concerns Laboratory topics: it consists of a recognition test of two histological preparations among those observed during Laboratory activities. The practical test must be completed before the oral exam, in the same session in which the student intends to take the oral exam.
To access the oral exam, students must have passed the practical test with a minimum score of 18/30, and the obtained score will be used in the final evaluation by averaging it with the number of CFUs assigned to the two parts.

In case of certification of specific learning disability, disability or other special educational needs, the University legislation and regulations on disability and SLD are applied (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disabilit%C3% A0-normative).

It is possible that emergency situations prevent the exam from being carried out in person. In this case, the methods of conducting the exam may be subject to changes with the possible inclusion of a written test. The Teams platform and/or the aulaweb portal will be used.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on exam preparation methods and the depth of each topic will be provided during the lectures.

The assessment of the achievement of the educational objectives of the course will include two separate exam components (total duration approximately 30-45 minutes).

A practical test where the student must orally recognize and describe two histological preparations using an optical microscope. The student should be able to connect and integrate the knowledge acquired during laboratory activities with that provided during lectures.
An oral exam that is contingent upon passing the practical test and includes questions on cytology and histology regarding the course content. The oral exam aims to assess not only whether the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge but also if they have acquired the ability to critically analyze any problems encountered during the exam.
The achievement of each student's educational objectives will be evaluated by at least two different course instructors, and the grade will result from the integration of the various scores.

In this case, the methods of conducting the exam may be subject to changes with the possible inclusion of a written test. The Teams platform and/or the aulaweb portal will be used.

Exam schedule