APPLIED BIOLOGY
a) Educating the student in the "critical method" and in the discussion through the description of experiments, heritage of the history of biology and genetics. b) To provide the student with a harmonious and "antidogmatic" vision of living beings, in which the common morphofunctional characteristics, their interactions and complementarities are outlined, from viruses to humans. c) Introduce the student to the techniques of biology and genetics, currently used in the clinic, molecular diagnostics and forensic medicine.
1.Basic characteristics of living matter. In particular, to be able to describe:
- the general characteristics of the various living organs
- the choice of the existence of intracellular information, between cells and between multicellular individuals.
-the theory of evolution as a unifying concept of biology.
- the importance in hierarchical biology (classification system)
- the need for a continuous supply of energy in biological systems.
- the importance of acquiring a scientific method.
2. Fundamental characteristics of the topics and molecules concerning the basis of the chemistry of life. In particular, to be able to describe:
- the structure of atoms, of the molecules and their respective ability to interact (chemical bonds and molecular interactions).
- the importance of water for carrying out vital functions.
-the chemical-physical and biological properties of organic macromolecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.
3. Basic cellular features. In particular, to be able to describe:
- the importance of cell theory.
- how to study the cellular structure.
-the differences and similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- structure and function of cell organelles.
- structure and function of the cytoskeleton.
-structure and function of the extracellular matrix.
4. Basic features of biological membranes. In particular, to be able to describe:
- the structure and functions that regulate the interaction between cells.
- passive and active transport mechanisms.
-the role and the various forms of junctions between cells.
5. Fundamental characteristics of the flow of energy through living organisms. In particular, to be able to describe:
- the principles of thermodynamics applied to biological systems.
- the structure and functions of enzymes.
- anabolic and catabolic reactions.
- energy transfer: redox reactions.
- the metabolic pathways of energy release.
- the mechanisms of ATP production in aerobiosis and anaerobiosis.
- the regulation of cellular respiration.
6. Fundamental characteristics of the flow of genetic information in living organisms. In particular, to be able to describe:
- the structure and function of chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis.
-the DNA: a macromolecular depository of the genetic information of living matter.
-RNA and protein synthesis: mechanisms that regulate gene expression.
- gene regulation: control of the existence of genes.
7. Fundamental characteristics of the fundamental principles of systematics. In particular, to be able to describe:
-Viruses and bacteria (bacteriophages, lithic reproductive cycle, temperate viruses, animal and plant viruses, viroids and prions, archaea bacteria and eubacteria).
1. Introduction to the fundamental characteristics of living matter: in particular to know how to describe
-The general characteristics of the various living organisms
-The levels of biological organization
-The need for the existence of a flow of intracellular information between cells and between multicellular individuals.
-The theory of evolution as a unifying concept of biology.
-The importance in the biology of the hierarchical organization (classification system)
-The need for a continuous supply of energy in biological systems.
-The importance of acquiring a scientific method.
2. Fundamental characteristics of the atoms and molecules that form the basis of the chemistry of life. In particular, to be able to describe:
-Carbon atoms and organic molecules.
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
-The proteins
- Nucleic acids
-The identification of biological molecules
3. Fundamental characteristics of the cellular organization. In particular, to be able to describe:
-The importance of cell theory.
-The study methods of cellular structure.
-The differences and similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
-Structure and function of the membrane nucleus and organelles.
- Structure and function of the cytoskeleton.
-Structure and function of the extracellular matrix.
4. Basic features of biological membranes. In particular, to be able to describe:
-The structure of biological membranes
-The functions of membrane proteins
- The permeability of the membrane
- Passive and active transport mechanisms.
- Exocytosis and endocytosis
-the role and the various forms of junctions between cells.
5. Key features of cellular communication. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Send signals
-Receiving
-Transduction of the signal
- Responses to signals
-The evolution of cellular communication.
6. Fundamental characteristics of the study of energy applied to metabolism. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Organic work
-The laws of thermodynamics
-Energy and Metabolism
-The ATP
-The structure and functions of enzymes.
7. The synthesis of ATP in cells. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Redox reactions
-The four stages of Aerobic Breathing
-The energy yield of nutrients other than glucose
- Anaerobic respiration and fermentation
8. Chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Eukaryotic chromosomes
-The cell cycle and mitosis
-The regulation of the cell cycle
- Sexual reproduction and meiosis
9. DNA as a depository molecule of genetic information. In particular, to be able to describe:
-The evidence that DNA is the hereditary material
- The DNA structure
- DNA replication
10. Gene expression. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Discovery of the gene-protein relationship.
-The flow of information from DNA to proteins: general
- The transcription
-Translation
- Mutations
-The variations of gene expression
11. Gene regulation. In particular, to be able to describe:
-Generality
-Gene regulation in prokaryotic cells
-Gene regulation in eukaryotic cells
12. Fundamental characteristics and the differences between living systems. In particular, to be able to describe:
-Viruses and subviral agents
- Virus Structure
- Virus classification
- Viral replication
- Viral diseases
- Virus Evolution
- Subviral agents
13. Bacteria and archaeabacteria
-The structure of bacteria and archaeobacteria
- Reproduction and evolution of prokaryotes
- Nutritional and metabolic adaptations
-The phylogeny of the two domains of prokaryotes
-The impact of the procarities on ecology, technology and commerce.
- Bacteria and diseases
Solomon et al. Fondamenti di Biologia, Edises Editor, VII Edition 2017
Lectures with compulsory attendance.
The minimum threshold with which the test is passed is 18/30.The evaluation of the student includes a written test, which will serve to demonstrate the knowledge of the program and the logic followed by the student in the resolution of the questions at the end will be given a vote expressed in thirtieths.
70-80% of students pass the exam with a score above 25/30.