Learning objectives
The Animal Biology course has been designed to provide students with the most up-to-date scientific information in the fields of evolutionary biology, molecular biology and cellular biology, as well as provide the biological foundation required to understand reproductive processes and embryogenesis in major animal groups.
Prerequisites
Fundamentals in the field of general biology and zoology
Course unit content
<br />ORGANISATION OF LIVING SYSTEMS<br />Organisation hierarchy<br />Atoms, molecules and bonds that form the basis of the chemistry of life. Structure and function of organic macromolecules<br />Cellular basis of life<br />Kingdoms of the living world<br /> <br />EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY<br />Origin of life<br />Prokaryotes and the start of metabolic diversity<br />Origin of eukaryotes<br />Invertebrates and the origins of animal diversity<br />Origin and evolution of vertebrates. Evolution of Primates<br />Mechanisms of evolution<br /> <br />THE ANIMAL CELL<br />Morpho-structural differences between the eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell and viruses<br />Membrane structure and function. Membrane structural models<br />Nucleus, cytoskeleton and cytoplasmic organelles<br />Cell transport. Transport of small molecules: simple and facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport, cotransport Transport of large molecules: exocytosis and endocytosis modes<br />Cellular metabolism and energy production: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation <br />Cell cycle. Apoptosis<br />Methods of cell study. Optical and electronic microscope. Cell cultures<br /> <br />GENETICS<br />Nucleic acids. DNA duplication. Genetic code and protein synthesis<br />Genome organisation. Chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis<br />Basic principles of heredity. Mendelian heredity. Dominant and recessive characters<br />Genotype and phenotype. Genetic variability: random mating, mutation, back mutation and genic recombination. Crossbreeding, inbreeding and natural selection<br />Oncogenes<br />Overview of recombinant DNA technologies and their applications<br /> <br />MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL ADAPTATIONS<br />Animal nutrition. Intracellular means of digestion and digestion in well-differentiated organs<br />Circulation within the body and respiratory exchange within principal systemic groups<br />Thermoregulation and energy metabolism<br />Reproductive modes in the animal kingdom. Asexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction: gametogenesis, fecundation and embryo development. Bacterial conjugation<br />Chemical messengers: cytokines, growth factors, hormones and pheromones <br />Relationship between organisms and the environment Symbiotic relationships between organisms. Parasitism<br />Animal behaviour and its application to pharmacological study<br /> <br />SYSTEMATICS OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM<br />Binomial nomenclature<br />Definition of species<br />Taxonomic characterisation of the principal taxa of medical-pharmacological interest
Full programme
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Bibliography
<br />N.A. CAMPBELL, B. REECE "Biologia", Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna.<br />E.P. SOLOMON, L.R. BERG, D.W. MARTIN "Fondamenti di Biologia", EdiSES, Napoli.<br />W.K. PURVES "Biologia", Ed. Zanichelli, Bologna.
Teaching methods
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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