Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the student with the skills necessary to understand the scientific/experimental method and the basics of cellular and molecular biology, general and human genetics, with particular reference to their application to topics of the medical field.
1- Knowing forms of organization and properties of living beings and the spatial, temporal and functional relationships associated with them.
2. Identify and remember general laws and mechanisms that regulate the functioning of biological processes, in order to be able to apply them to specific contexts.
3. Knowing how to recognize the critical elements of a biological context to predict results and behaviors.
4. Knowing the correct terminology related to elements and mechanisms at work in living systems.
5. Acquire the ability to understand scientific content through the application of effective learning methods, through the integration of writing notes, slides and textbooks. Knowing how to evaluate the level of one's own knowledge and ability to transmit knowledge by means of constant comparison with interlocutors.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Lecturer: Prof. Giorgio Malpeli Giorgio
Academic year 2022/2023
Semester course
2 credits CFU
THE STUDY OF LIFE
Concept of living being and its properties; origin of life on earth; the cell theory; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell. Classification of living things. History of evolutionary theories; Darwinian evolution; human evolution; speciation processes; principles of population genetics.
THE EUKARYOTIC CELL
Shape, size and structure of eukaryotic cells; plasma membrane: structure and functions; the cytoplasm; the nucleus: structure and function; nuclear organization of DNA: chromatin, chromosomes and human karyotype; ribosomes: structure and function; the intracellular membrane system: structures and functions of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, the lysosome; the mitochondria: structure and inheritance; the cytoskeleton and its ability to contribute to cell shape and movement: microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments.
GENETIC INFORMATION
Inheritance of acquired characters according to Mendel; DNA structure; the human genome; eukaryotic and prokaryotic gene; DNA duplication; the expression of gene information: transcription of DNA in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, maturation of primary transcripts, the genetic code, translation; fate and post-translational modifications of proteins; hints of gene regulation; definition, causes and types of mutations; classification of mutations based on extension; gene and chromosomal mutations in number and structure; the mitochondrial genome; epigenetics and trascriptional control; genomic imprinting and gene dosage.
REPRODUCTION
Cell cycle and its control; mitosis; meiosis; gametogenesis; fertilization; role in human reproduction.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Bruce Alberts et al. L'essenziale di biologia Editore: Zanichelli
Learning material, assembled by the teacher, can be found at http://elly.medicina.unipr.it/.
Teaching methods
The course will be held through lectures to Students in the classroom.
Lectures will be supported by slide presentations, which will be available to students on Elly platform (https://elly2022.medicina.unipr.it/).
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists in verifying:
- the level of knowledge of the topics covered by the program and the understanding of the role of the studied cellular and molecular processes;
- the ability to connect theoretical concepts to concrete biological problems;
- the ability to make transversal connections on the topics covered;
- adequate mastery and ownership of correct technical/scientific language and terminology;
- the ability to study topics of biological/medical interest.
The Applied Biochemistry exam, in written form, will verify the acquisition of general and specific skills in an integrated form. The final grade of the exam will derive from the sum of the grades obtained in open and closed questions. The topics developed will have greater weight on the total calculation of the grade.
Students with DSA/BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/leeli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes).
The overall grade will be obtained by adding the scores achieved in each question. The minimum score for passing the test is 18/30. Honors will be awarded to students who have demonstrated that they have reached a superior level of knowledge and in-depth study of the subjects with appropriateness of language and excellent comprehension of topics. There are no additional questions, in cases of insufficient evaluation.
Other information
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