BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA M - Z

Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: GIUSEPPE MALFA

Expected Learning Outcomes

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.

Course Structure

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

Attendance of Lessons

Compulsory, as required by the teaching regulations

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

Detailed Course Content

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.

Textbook Information

  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

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Composition of living matter. Molecular composition of cells: water, salts, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. Testi 1, 2 
2 Living organisms, Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes and their relationship.Testi 1, 2 
3Difference between eukaryotic cell and prokaryotic cell, Structure and transport of the biological membrane.Testi 1, 2
4Organelles: Endoplasmic reticulum; Golgi apparatus, Mitochondria; Lysosomes, Peroxisomes; Ribosomes, Cytoskeleton; Nucleus, Chromatin and chromosomes.Testi 1, 2
5Difference between plant cell and animal cell: Plastids. Chloroplasts. Notes on Photosynthesis; photorespiration; C3 plants and C4 plants; vacuoles; Primary, intermediate, and secondary metabolites.Testi 1, 2,  4
6Cell wall. Cell wall growth. Cell wall modifications: lignification, cutinization, suberification, mineralization.Testi: 1, 3, 4
7Plant tissues: meristematic tissues.Testi: 1, 3, 4
8Elements of genetics: concepts of heterozygous, homozygous, and hemizygous, dominance and recessiveness of characters, genotype, phenotype and karyotype, Mendel's laws. Congenital defects.Testi: 1, 2
9Cell cycle. DNA duplication, mitosis, meiosis, DNA mutations.Testi: 1, 2
10Genetic code, transcription, translation.Testi: 1, 2

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Written and Oral

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.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

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