BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA A - L

Knowledge and understanding: the course provides the tools to describe the fundamental biological structures and processes of the cell and living organisms using appropriate scientific terminology;

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the student acquires the skills necessary to understand the importance of variability so that we can distinguish and motivate the difference between living organisms;

Learning skills: the student becomes able to use the knowledge on the basic mechanisms that regulate living matter and living organisms (animals and plants) as a substrate for the study of other biological subjects in their Degree Course;

Making judgments: the student develops his critical ability to evaluate the implications and results of innovative discoveries in the field of cell biology and living organisms. The student is encouraged to follow innovative discoveries in cell biology and living organisms by consulting the scientific literature.

The course will be structured in frontal teaching with PowerPoint projection and/or short films. During the course, there will be exercises and problem-based learning.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the program planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Information for students with disabilities and/or SLD:
To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specifications needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the Department, prof.ssa Santina Chiechio

Compulsory, as required by the teaching regulations

http://www.dsf.unict.it/corsi/l-29_sfa/regolamento-didattico

Composition of living matter.

The molecular composition of cells: water, salts, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Origin and evolution of cells. Levels of organization of living organisms: prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and their relationship.

Morphology of animal and plant cells.

Biological membranes; transport through biological membranes.

Intracellular structures: Nucleus. Ribosomes. Endoplasmic reticulum. Golgi apparatus. Lysosomes. Peroxisomes. Mitochondria. Cytoskeleton. Plastids: Chloroplasts, Chromoplasts, Leucoplasts: structure and functions. Vacuoles. Cell wall. Cell wall growth. Cell wall modifications: lignification, cutinization, suberification.

Photosynthesis (light and dark phase), photorespiration; C3 C4 plants.

Plant metabolism: primary, intermediate, and secondary metabolites.

Plant tissues: Meristematic or embryonic tissues.

Elements of genetics: concepts of heterozygous, homozygous, and hemizygous, dominance and recessiveness of characters, genotype, phenotype and karyotype, Mendel's laws.

Cell cycle. , Mitosis, meiosis, DNA mutations;

Genetic code, transcription, translation.

The program is divided into three parts based on a temporal scan of the topics covered.

FIRST PART 2,5 CFU - 17,5h

Living matter composition. Water and Mineral Salts, Amino Acids and Proteins, Carbohydrates and Lipids, Nucleic Acids, Living Organisms, Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes. Difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, Structure, and transport of the biological membrane. Organelles: endoplasmic reticulum; Golgi apparatus; Mitochondria; Lysosomes, Peroxisomes; Ribosomes, Cytoskeleton; Nucleus, Chromatin, and chromosomes.

SECOND PART 2 CFU - 14h

Difference between plant cell and animal cell: Plastids. Notes on Photosynthesis; Photorespiration; C3 and C4 plants; vacuoles; secondary metabolites; Cell wall. Cell wall growth. Cell wall modifications: lignification, cutinization, suberification. Plant tissues: meristematic tissues.

THIRD PART 1,5 CFU - 10,5h

Elements of genetics: concepts of heterozygous, homozygous, and hemizygous, dominance and recessiveness of characters, genotype, phenotype and karyotype, Mendel's laws. Congenital Defects. Cell Cycle; DNA synthesis, Mitosis; Meiosis, RNA Transcription; Notes on protein synthesis.

1. Solomon, Berg, Martin -Biologia- Ed. Edises
2. D. Sadava, D.V. Hillis, H.C. Heller, M.R. Berenbaum-Biologia-Ed.Zainichelli
3. Solomon, Berg, Martin -Struttura e processi vitali nelle piante- Ed. Edises
4. Poli F. - Biologia Farmaceutica - II Ed. - Pearson 2019

Written and Oral

EVALUATIVE CRITERIA.
The final exam will be evaluated based on the following indicators weighted equally and consistent with what is described in the expected learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors):
- personal processing skills and operational initiative;
- ability to consult and use bibliographic materials;
- expository skills;
- scientific understanding of the topic.
Therefore, the final grade takes into account various factors listed below.
Quality of knowledge, skills, competencies possessed and/or manifested:
(a) appropriateness, correctness and congruence of knowledge
(b) appropriateness, correctness and congruence of skills
(c) appropriateness, correctness and congruence of skills
Expository mode:
(a) Expressive ability;
(b) Appropriate use of discipline-specific language;
(c) Logical skills and consequentiality in linking content;
(d) Ability to connect different topics by finding common points and establishing a coherent overall pattern, i.e., taking care of structure, organization and logical connections of expository discourse;
(e) Ability to synthesize including through the use of the subject's own symbolism and the graphic expression of notions and concepts, in the form of, for example, formulas, diagrams, equations.
Relational qualities:
Willingness to exchange and interact with the lecturer during the interview.
Personal qualities:
(a) critical spirit;
(b) ability to self-evaluate;
(c) problem-solving skills;
(d) ability to make decisions.
 
Based on the above, the rating can be:
(a) Sufficient (18 to 20/30)
Candidate demonstrates little acquired knowledge, superficial level, many gaps. Modest expressive skills, but still sufficient to sustain a coherent dialogue; logical skills and consequentiality in connecting topics of elementary level; poor synthesis skills and rather stunted graphic expression skills; poor interaction with the lecturer during the interview.
(b) Fair (21 to 23)
Candidate demonstrates fair acquisition of notions, but little in-depth study, few gaps; more than sufficient expressive skills to sustain a coherent dialogue; acceptable command of scientific language; logical skills and consequentiality in connecting topics of moderate complexity; more than sufficient ability to synthesize and acceptable graphic expression skills.
Example Questions: 1.Describe the morphology and classification of the plant body 2. Describe the morphology of meristematic tissues 4. Characteristics and function of primary and secondary metabolites 5. Biotechnology of medicinal plants. 6. Medicinal plants for the production of hormones, vaccines, and natural and bioactive products.
(c) Good (24 to 26)
The candidate demonstrates a fairly broad background, moderate depth of knowledge, with small gaps; satisfactory expressive skills and significant mastery of scientific language; well-detectable dialogical skills and critical spirit; good synthesis skills and more than acceptable graphical expression skills.
(d) Excellent (27 to 29)
The candidate demonstrates a very extensive, well-developed body of knowledge, with marginal gaps; remarkable expressive skills and high mastery of scientific language; remarkable dialogical ability, good competence and relevant aptitude for logical synthesis; high synthesis and graphic expression skills.
(e) Excellent (30)
The candidate demonstrates a very extensive and in-depth knowledge base, any gaps irrelevant; high expressive ability and high mastery of scientific language; remarkable dialogical ability, marked aptitude for making connections between different topics; excellent synthesis ability and great familiarity with graphic expression.

Honors are awarded to candidates who are clearly above average, and whose possible limitations in notional, expressive, conceptual, and logical skills are on the whole completely irrelevant.

CALLS DATES

Exam dates are published on the website of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences

http://www.dsf.unict.it/corsi/l-29_sfa/calendario-esami

The verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, should the conditions require it.

Information for students with disabilities and/or SLD:

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the teaching objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP contact person (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of the Department, prof.ssa Santina Chiechio.

Multiple choice

1) A eukaryotic and a prokaryotic cell differ because

A) The eukaryotic cell has a plasma membrane

B) The prokaryotic cell lacks a nucleus

C) The eukaryotic cell can have flagella

D) Eukaryotic cells can have cell wall

E) The prokaryotic cell cannot synthesize proteins

Open answer

1. Describe the structure and function of mitochondria