Learning objectives
The main objective of the course is the knowledge of basic notions and principles of the structure and function of the cell and its components, and the sexual and asexual reproduction. This knowledge will be important for a better understanding of topics faced and discussed in other courses
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Brief introduction on basic properties and components of living organisms (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Origin of life. The study of Viruses and bacteria precedes that of the cell and its main components. Basic principles of Transcription and Translation of the genetic information are then discussed. In the second section the study of reproduction (bacteric, viral and cellular) is faced, followed by that of the gametogenesis and fertilization.
Full programme
1. Molecules of life: proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and carbohydrates
2. Origin of life: the experiment of S. Miller.
3. Viruses and bacteria
4. Structure, function and evolution of the eukaryotic cell and its components: biological membranes, transport of micromolecules, sodium; potassium pump and membrane potential, exocytosis and endocytosis; cytosol; cell organelles (nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes and peroxisomes); chromosomes, chromatin and karyotype
5. Trascription and translation of genetic information (protein synthesis). RNA polymerase,
t-RNA, r-RNA, m-RNA, ribosomes. The genetic code
6. asexual and sexual (meiosis) reproduction (mitosis) Cell cycle, duplication of semiconservative DNA, mitosis, meiosis (crossing over, genetic recombination, independent assortment of homologous chromosomes), evolution of sexuality
7. Gametogenesis and fertilization, egg and sperm, ovulation, mechanisms that prevent polyspermy.
Bibliography
Fondamenti di Biologia (E. P. Solomon et al.)
Principi di Biologia (N. A. Campbell et al.)
Teaching methods
The course will be held through lectures to Students either in the classroom (“in presenza”) or in synchronous-streaming (“in telepresenza”) on the Teams platform. Therefore, the opportunity of Student/Teacher interaction will be preserved both face to face and/or remotely, by the simultaneous use of the Teams platform.
Lectures will be supported by slide presentations, which will be available to students on the Elly platform (https://elly.medicina.unipr.it).
Assessment methods and criteria
Written examination, multiple choice test.
In case of the persistence of the health emergency, the exams will be conducted remotely, as follows:
structured written test conducted remotely (by Teams and Elly). The test consists of 10-20 multiple choice questions on the course contents (reference texts + documents uploaded to Elly during the course). There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
The final mark, reported directly on Esse3, will correspond to the arithmetic average of the assessments obtained in the written test.
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes
Other information
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