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Medical Biology - APPLIED BIOLOGY
GIOVANNI PRINCIPATO

Seat Medicina e Chirurgia
A.A. 2013-2014
Credits 5
Hours 50
Period Corso annuale
Language ENG
U-gov code MU02-09-11 32606

Prerequisites

scholastic knowledge of biology, physics and chemistry

Development of the course
the course aims to contribute to the formation of a doctor who is familiar with the functioning of the cell, the molecular basis of the expression of genetic information and its regulation, the mechanisms that control cell division and differentiation

Learning outcomes

at the end of the course the student should have understood (1) the fundamental characteristics of living matter and molecular, morphological organization and function of the cell, (2) general fundamental aspects concerning the origin and functioning of the cell and multicellular organisms, (3) the fundamental mechanisms underlying the flow of genetic information, (4) the different types of communication between cells in multicellular organisms and some mechanisms of signal transduction within cells.

Program

Origin of life. Chemical and biological evolution. Biomolecules and their properties. The genetic code. General models of eukaryotes and prokaryotes cells. The three categories of living, Eubacteria, Archaea and Eukaryotes. Organization of DNA in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The evolutionary strategy of Eubacteria, the role of mutations and horizontal exchanges of DNA. Evolution of the eukaryotic cell. The Cambrian period and the evolution of multicellular organisms. Outline of the viruses and their possible role in evolution. Molecular basis of the hereditary information. Composition and structure of nucleic acids and proteins. The human genome and its organization. Functional modules and system biology. The nucleus, the chromatin and the nucleolus. Structure, function, and transcription of RNA. Regulation of transcription in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Origin and role of small RNAs and of long non coding RNAs. Structure and function of ribosomes. The mechanism of protein synthesis. Protein synthesis in the cytosol and the post-synthetic fate of proteins. The proteasome and degradation of proteins in the cytosol. Function of the plasma membrane and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum and its role in phase I of detoxification. Golgi apparatus, secretion, and biogenesis of lysosomes. Outline on cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. Biological role of lysosomes. DNA replication. DNA repair and its correlation with human diseases, aging and cancer. The cell cycle control mechanisms. Mitosis and meiosis. Stem cells. Apoptosis and necrosis. Mechanisms of communication between cells. Hormones, receptors and signal transduction. Metabolism, enzymes and catalysis. Mitochondria and cellular respiration. Reproduction of living organisms. Cloning. Gametes, sex and evolution. Relationships between organisms and between organisms and the environment.

Development of the examination
oral examination

Recommended reading
ask the teacher

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