05095 - Biology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student should know: the organization and the main molecular mechanisms of eukariotic cells; the organization of genetic information, its transmission and expression; the reproduction of cells and organisms; the bases of inheritance in man and living beeings and the relationship between ambient and organisms. Moreover the student shoud aquire a scientific language and the concept of scientific method.

Course contents

THE STUDY OF LIFE

Concept of living being and properties; the cellular doctrine; the scientific method; outlines of evolution. The chemistry of life.

THE EUKARYOTIC CELL

Shape, size and structure of the eukaryotic cell; the plasma membrane: the cytoplasm; intracellular membrane system: rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, peroxisome; the nucleus: DNA, chromatine and chromosomes; the mitochondria; the ribosomes; the cytoskeleton: actin filaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules; cellular junctions; cell-cell communication.

THE GENETIC INFORMATION

The human genome; the eukaryotic gene; the DNA replication; the gene expression: transcription, genetic code and traslation.

THE REPRODUCTION

The cell reproduction: cell cycle, necrosis, apoptosys and mitosis.
The organisms reproduction: meiosis, spermatogenesis, ovogenesis, fertilization.

Introduction and notions on the inheritance of characters

Readings/Bibliography

The suggested books will be provided at the beginning of the course

Teaching methods

Lessons

Assessment methods

The exam includes a written test with 16 multiple choice questions. The biology module will be evaluated with the biochemistry module, except in particular cases such as recognitions or precedents, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Teaching tools

Detailed program, suggested books and any additional material will be provided via online platform https://virtuale.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Raffaella Casadei