Basic Biological and Morphological Sciences

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
BIO/13 BIO/16 BIO/17
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the student with the basic knowledge about the biological and morphological organization of the human body both at macroscopic and microscopic level.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should show an adequate knowledge and understanding of the organization of the human body, being able to describe the bases of cellular and molecular biology and the morphological characteristics of its tissues and organs with sufficient information to proficiently attend the subsequent courses.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Prerequisites for admission
Minimum knowledge of the basics of biology. Knowledge of the main components of the cell.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment methods
The acquisition of the expected knowledge will be verified through an exam composed of the following parts:
- Applied biology: written test - 11 open-ended questions (available time: 60 minutes);
- Histology: oral communication;
- Human anatomy: written test - 40 multiple choice questions, each with 5 possible independent answers (available time: 75 minutes).
Evaluation criteria
- Open-ended questions: each question will be scored on the basis of relevance and level of difficulty. The test is passed if the sum of the scores obtained is at least 18.
- Oral communication aims to the assessment of the learning objectives achievement.
- Multiple choice question test: the number of completely correct questions and the number of errors made in the incorrect questions will be given. The first value informs about the amount of topics with a complete preparation, the second value informs about the level of preparation in only partially known topics. The test is passed if at least 12 questions have completely correct answers and if the remaining questions have no more than 50 incorrect answers.
- Mark: the final mark is given if the exam is passed in each of its parts (Applied biology, Histology and Human Anatomy) and is expressed in thirtieths; it corresponds to the average value of the marks of the three parts of the test, depending on the CFU weighting of each course module.
Experimental biology
Course syllabus
THE STUDY OF LIFE
Introduction to biology. Concept of living being and its properties; cell theory; the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell. The variability of living beings, evolution and its fundamental stages.
THE EUCARIOTIC CELL
Shape, size, and structure of eukaryotic cells; plasma membrane: structure and permeability; the cytoplasm; the nucleus: structure and function; nuclear envelope; nucleolus; nuclear DNA organization; chromatin and chromosomes; the ribosomes: structure and function; the cellular membrane system: structure and function of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum of the Golgi apparatus, of lysosome and peroxisomes; the mitochondria: structure and inheritance; the cytoskeleton and its ability to contribute to cellular shape and movement: microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments.
GENETIC INFORMATION
Informational molecules: nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins; the structure of DNA; DNA duplication; the expression of genetic information; DNA transcription, maturation of primary transcripts, translation and genetic code, post-translational modifications and final destination of proteins.
Teaching methods
- Applied biology and Histology: lectures supported by visual means (PowerPoint).
Teaching Resources
- Donati C et al. Biologia e Genetica. Zanichelli
- Mason KA et al. Biologia cellulare (Estratto). Piccin
- Mason KA et al. Genetica e biologia molecolare. (Estratto). Piccin
- Solomon E.P. et al. Elementi di biologia. EdiSES
Human anatomy
Course syllabus
STRUCTURE OF THE BODY
General organization of the human body; anatomical terminology; body spaces, cavities, and regions; organs, systems.
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
General organization of the skin and skin appendages.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
General structure of bones, joints, and muscles; axial skeleton, appendicular skeleton; joints of human body; muscles of the head and neck, muscles of the trunk, muscles that move the upper and lower extremities.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
General organization of the circulatory system; heart; main arteries and their vascular territory; main veins and their vascular territory; lymphatic system: general organization.
HEMATOPOIETIC AND LYMPHOID ORGANS
Bone marrow; thymus; tonsils; lymph nodes; spleen.
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Pituitary gland; pineal gland; thyroid gland; parathyroid glands; adrenal glands; pancreatic islets; diffuse endocrine system.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Mouth: teeth, tongue, salivary glands; pharynx; esophagus; stomach; small intestine; large intestine; liver; biliary system; pancreas; peritoneum.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Respiratory tract: nose and paranasal sinuses, pharynx; larynx, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles; lungs; pleura.
URINARY SYSTEM
Kidneys; urinary tract: calyces, renal pelvis, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Testes; reproductive ducts: epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct; urethra; glands: seminal vesicles, prostate gland.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Ovaries; reproductive ducts: uterine tubes, uterus, vagina.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Central nervous system: spinal cord; brain: brainstem, cerebellum, diencephalon, telencephalon; meninges; cerebrospinal fluid; main ascending and descending pathways.
Peripheral nervous system: cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and plexuses: general information and territory of innervation; autonomic nervous system: general organization.
Sense organs: taste receptors, smell receptors, eye, and ear: general organization.
Teaching methods
- Human anatomy: lectures supported by visual means (PowerPoint) and anatomical models; Unimi / Ariel online website as teaching support.
Teaching Resources
- Barbatelli G et al. Anatomia umana - Fondamenti. EdiErmes
- Martini FH et al. Anatomia umana. EdiSES
Histology
Course syllabus
THE CELL
Cell structure (recall); intercellular junctions EPITHELIAL TISSUES
Covering and glandular epithelia CONNECTIVE TISSUES
1) Connective tissue proper
2) Specialized connective tissues: cartilage, bone, blood, adipose tissue MUSCULAR TISSUE
Skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles NERVOUS TISSUE
Teaching methods
Lectures supported by visual means (PowerPoint).
Teaching Resources
- Adamo S et al. Istologia per i corsi di laurea in professioni sanitarie. Piccin
- Calligaro A et al. Citologia e Istologia funzionale. EdiErmes
- Di Pietro R. Elementi di istologia. EdiSES
Experimental biology
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Doneda Luigia
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Doneda Luigia
Histology
BIO/17 - HISTOLOGY - University credits: 1
Lessons: 10 hours
Professor: Paino Francesca
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Paino Francesca
Human anatomy
BIO/16 - HUMAN ANATOMY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 30 hours
Professor: Dolci Claudia
Shifts:
Turno
Professor: Dolci Claudia