Teaching code

4S00303

Teacher

Maria Romanelli

Coordinator

Maria Romanelli

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY

Period

1°semestre - solo 1° anno dal Sep 23, 2024 al Jan 17, 2025.

Courses Single

Authorized with reserve

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

The course aims to provide knowledge on cellular structures and functions, cell replication processes, transmission of genetic information, mechanisms of transcription and translation of the genetic information; general and up-to-date knowledge of biological issues that find application in the profession of sports activity experts; knowledge of modern biological investigation techniques that can be used in studies of motor activity and sports. Learning outcomes: understanding of the "scientific method" by describing and interpreting experiments that are part of the history of biology; description of the molecular processes that allow gene expression.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Being an exam of the first year, first semester, there are no specific prerequisites other than those required for access to the degree course.

Program

At the end of the course the student will have to know the following topics: 1. The characteristics common to all living organisms. 2. The observations and experiments that led to the discovery of genetic material: the experiments of Griffith and then of Avery, McLeod and McCarty on the identification of DNA; the central dogma of Biology, according to which RNA is derived from DNA and Proteins are derived from RNA; the discovery of the structure of DNA from Erwin Chargaff to Rosalind Franklin to J. Watson and F. Crick and finally to Meselson and Stahl (semiconservative replication). 3. The morphological and functional differences existing between viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes including protists. 4. The biology of the cell: the organization of the eukaryotic cell, the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. Analysis techniques for cell microscopy. 4.1 Cell membranes: the phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol and membrane proteins, the relationship between antigens present on the erythrocyte membrane and blood groups. Transport mechanisms 4.2 The functions of cellular organelles. 4.3 Cell aggregates and the extracellular matrix 4.4 The morphology and function of the epithelial cell 4.5 The morphology of the muscle cell and the nerve cell, the neuromuscular plate and the neurotransmitters, the synapse and its organization and the enzymes involved. Membrane depolarization, the chain of events leading to signal transmission from synapse to synapse through the axon, Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes, action potential and muscle contraction. The muscle cell, molecules, enzymes and proteins involved in the contraction of the muscle fiber. The types of muscle fibers and their characteristics, the growth of muscle mass related to training, the function of satellite cells, the function of myostatin and its inhibitors. 4.6 Connective tissue cells: diversity and functions 5. Cell reproduction: the cell cycle and the mechanisms governing cell division (mitosis) and both male and female gametogenesis (meiosis) Stem cells 6. The flow of genetic information : transcription and translation. the eukaryotic chromosome and the phenomena of gene regulation and expression. Chromatin and chromosomes. The human karyotype. Interpret the switching on or off of the activity of a gene as a response to an environmental stimulus, both internal and external to the cell; interpret the phenomena of cell differentiation and growth through autocrine, paracrine and endocrine mechanisms. The genetic mutations. the difference between gene and chromosomal mutations, spontaneous mutations, mutagens and their action, the "fluctuation" test, the Ames test, the correlation between mutagenesis and cancer, the correlation between smoking and cancer, damage from UV and the reparative mechanisms, Xerodema Pigmentosum. 7. Inheritance of traits: the principles of Mendean genetics, allelism and the concepts of dominance and recessiveness 8. Human genetics: interpretation and construction of genealogical trees with particular reference to traits such as blood groups and some genetic pathologies known genes (eg familial hypercholesterolemia, cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, etc.) 9. the principles of population genetics and Hardy and Weinberg's law. 10. Developmental biology: embryonic layers and their fate. The mechanisms involved in the aging of all living beings: from genetic to environmental factors, Hayflick's experiments on fibroblasts, the role of free radicals, antioxidants, telomere shortening, the genetic programs that determine the average life of a species. Learning the contents of the course will contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goal Ensuring health and well-being for all and for all ages

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The teaching methods consist of classroom lessons during which the topics covered by the program will be addressed and discussed. The teacher will provide videos and power point presentations to supplement the classroom lessons, which can be used on the moodle platform.

Learning assessment procedures

The assessment of the learning outcomes includes a written test aimed at ascertaining the knowledge of the topics in the program. The written test will include multiple choice questions and open-ended questions. To facilitate understanding of the exam contents and methods, exam questions administered the previous year will be discussed in class with the students of the following year.

Evaluation criteria

The written test potentially covers all the topics listed in the programme. It is divided into 30 questions related to the main topics of the course (the macromolecules of life, the biology of the cell, interactions between cells, the flow of gene information, Mendelian genetics, human genetics). The questions are formulated as multiple choice questions and open-ended questions. The questions require knowledge of scientific terminology in the biological field, the ability to interpret genealogical trees, the ability to systemically connect knowledge of biology and molecular genetics, the ability to describe and exemplify biological structures. following. The evaluation of the written test will be expressed out of thirty and will be considered positive if greater than or equal to 18/30.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The overall evaluation of the test questions will contribute to the achievement of the score out of thirty.

Exam language

Italiana

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