Programme

Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of the principles of cell biology and tissue organization. Ability to communicate effectively and with the correct terminology;
Applied skills: The basic knowledge acquired through the study of cytology will allow students to apply them to the study of tissues.
Cytology.
Cell theory. Methods of studying the cell: the microscope.
Macromolecules: The main carbohydrates of biological interest and their polymers.
Nucleic acids. DNA and RNA structure. DNA replication, messenger transcription and RNA, genetic code, ribosomes and protein synthesis.
Cell membranes and intercellular junctions.
Cytoplasmic and secretory pathway, The endoplasmic reticulum, Origin and sorting of secretory and membrane proteins. Golgi apparatus. Lysosomes, peroxisomes, endocytosis, phagocytosis, exocytosis.
Structure of mitochondria. Notes on energy metabolism: respiration.
The cytoskeleton: Microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments.
The nucleus of eukaryotes, nuclear envelope and nuclear pores. Euchromatin and heterochromatin. Chromosome structure.
The cell cycle: the interphase (phases G1, S and G2), Cell division. Mitosis in animal cells. Meiosis.

Histology
Epithelial tissue. Connective tissue. Blood and signs of cellular immunology. Bone tissue. Muscle tissue. Nervous tissue.

Core Documentation

Cytology
Essential Cell Biology, Bruce Alberts, Karen Hopkin, Alexander D. Johnson, David Morgan, Martin Raff. Garland Science. Last edition
Histology
Junqueira's Basic Histology: Text and Atlas, Anthony Mescher. Lange. Last edition

Type of delivery of the course

The course takes place with lessons and practical exercises in the laboratory with the aid of optical microscopes. The course is divided into a Cytology module and a Histology module, but the topics will often be transversal. The histology topics are addressed in part in class in part during laboratory exercises. Classes are held weekly in the classroom with the help of power point presentations and videos. For the exercises the students are divided into groups of 20-30 per shift. The laboratory activities include four exercises in which the student will learn the use of the optical microscope, the preparation of histological slides and coloring techniques, the recognition of the different observed tissues.

Attendance

Class attendance is not mandatory.

Type of evaluation

The exam is ORAL. Students must register on the student's portal and are invited to present themselves on the day of the exam at the indicated time. On that date, the list of students, processed according to a random order, will be read. Each student (if present) will indicate one of the days (as proposed by the teacher) to take the exam. The assessment of profit is aimed at verifying the level of knowledge of the topics covered in the course and the reasoning ability of the student who points out that he / she knows how to connect the structure and function of the different structures. In the evaluation of the tests and in the attribution of the final grade, the following will be taken into account: the level of knowledge of the contents demonstrated, the ability to apply the theoretical concepts, the capacity for analysis, synthesis and intra- and inter-disciplinary connections, of the capacity of critical sense and formulation of judgments, of mastery of expression. The evaluation is expressed in thirtieths.