Elements of Basic Biology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The teaching aims to provide the fundamentals on: the chemical, structural and functional characteristics of the main biological molecules, as well as of the different types of nucleic acids and the flow of genetic information; the characteristics of living organisms, heredity, evolution and adaptation; the structure and function of animal and plant cells, the main cell types, their organization into tissues, organs and apparatuses, of their functional properties in relation to food strategies.
Expected learning outcomes
The student will acquire the ability to recognize the main biological molecules, understanding their relative functions, and will have the ability to understand the flow of genetic information. The student will acquire, moreover, the tools to understand the main morphological and physiological characteristics of living organisms and the cells that compose them with a propaedeutic purpose for subsequent courses.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
INTRODUCTION: units of measurement, energy, structure of the atom, chemical bonds, molecular weight, chemical reactions.
WATER: structure and properties, self-ionization, acids and bases, pH, salts, buffers.
CARBON COMPOUNDS: saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, main functional groups, derivatives of oxygenated organic compounds, nitrogenous compounds, sulfur-containing compounds.
CARBOHYDRATES: structure and function of the main monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.
LIPIDS: fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, terpenes and steroids.
BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES: structure and function.
NUCLEIC ACIDS: structure and function of DNA and RNA.
THE FLOW OF GENETIC INFORMATION: replication, transcription and translation.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS: Origin and classification. Levels of organization.
THE CELL: structure and function. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell organization: membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, mitochondria and vacuoles, cytoskeleton.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ANIMAL AND PLANT CELLS: cell wall and chloroplasts.
METABOLISM: cellular respiration and chlorophyll photosynthesis.
CELL CYCLE: mitosis and meiosis.
ANIMAL AND PLANT TISSUES
ASEXUAL AND SEXUAL REPRODUCTION.
PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY: homeostasis, breathing and circulation, feeding and nutrition.
EVOLUTION
WATER: structure and properties, self-ionization, acids and bases, pH, salts, buffers.
CARBON COMPOUNDS: saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, main functional groups, derivatives of oxygenated organic compounds, nitrogenous compounds, sulfur-containing compounds.
CARBOHYDRATES: structure and function of the main monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.
LIPIDS: fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, terpenes and steroids.
BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES: structure and function.
NUCLEIC ACIDS: structure and function of DNA and RNA.
THE FLOW OF GENETIC INFORMATION: replication, transcription and translation.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS: Origin and classification. Levels of organization.
THE CELL: structure and function. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell organization: membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, mitochondria and vacuoles, cytoskeleton.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ANIMAL AND PLANT CELLS: cell wall and chloroplasts.
METABOLISM: cellular respiration and chlorophyll photosynthesis.
CELL CYCLE: mitosis and meiosis.
ANIMAL AND PLANT TISSUES
ASEXUAL AND SEXUAL REPRODUCTION.
PRINCIPLES OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY: homeostasis, breathing and circulation, feeding and nutrition.
EVOLUTION
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Teaching Resources
The slides and any additional material can be found on the teaching MyAriel website.
Recommended texts:
UNITA' DIDATTICA 2
Nelson D.L., Cox M.M.
Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger.
Editore: Zanichelli.
Catani, Savini, Guerrieri, Avigliano
Appunti di biochimica. Per le lauree triennali.
Editore: Piccin
UNITA' DIDATTICA 1
Curtis H., Barnes N.S., Schnek A., Massarini A.
Le basi della biologia
Editore: Zanichelli
Sadava D., Hillis D.M., Heller H.C., Berenbaum M.R.
Biologia - volume 5 La biologia degli animali
Editore: Zanichelli
Salomon, Martin, Martin, Berg
Struttura e processi vitali nelle piante
Editore: EdiSES.
Recommended texts:
UNITA' DIDATTICA 2
Nelson D.L., Cox M.M.
Introduzione alla biochimica di Lehninger.
Editore: Zanichelli.
Catani, Savini, Guerrieri, Avigliano
Appunti di biochimica. Per le lauree triennali.
Editore: Piccin
UNITA' DIDATTICA 1
Curtis H., Barnes N.S., Schnek A., Massarini A.
Le basi della biologia
Editore: Zanichelli
Sadava D., Hillis D.M., Heller H.C., Berenbaum M.R.
Biologia - volume 5 La biologia degli animali
Editore: Zanichelli
Salomon, Martin, Martin, Berg
Struttura e processi vitali nelle piante
Editore: EdiSES.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final written exam, lasting two hours, consists of six open questions.
The dates of the exam sessions and the registration deadline for taking the exam are communicated through the University application (UNIMIA).
The dates of the exam sessions and the registration deadline for taking the exam are communicated through the University application (UNIMIA).
BIO/01 - GENERAL BOTANY - University credits: 2
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY - University credits: 2
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
BIO/05 - ZOOLOGY - University credits: 2
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Di Nunzio Mattia, Magni Chiara
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
Contact the professor
DeFens, sez. Scienze Chimiche e Biomolecolari