Human Anatomy and General Biology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The teaching of Human Anatomy and General Biology aims to provide students with basic knowledge relating to the structure and function of cells and the molecular mechanisms of the main biological processes. The course also provides basic knowledge of human anatomy. The teaching program of General Biology has been designed to present students with the essential notions for understanding the topics covered in Human Anatomy, and the combination of these courses provides students with useful and indispensable knowledge for better understand the biological teachings that they will face during the continuation of their training, such as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Physiology and Pathology.
Expected learning outcomes
After following the teaching of Human Anatomy and General Biology, and having successfully passed the exam, students are expected to have developed the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to the purpose of the study course. The acquired knowledge will allow students to understand the effect of environmental pollutants not only on simple organisms but also on humans and the various organs that make up the human body. The overall critical vision, acquired by the students, will allow them to critically evaluate the complex and mutual interaction that exists between the environment and humans.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
GENERAL BIOLOGY
Biodiversity and the origin of life. The division into Kingdoms: Bacteria, Archaeans, Protists, Fungi, Plants and Animals. Atoms and chemical bonds. Organic components of the cell - Biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins) - Cell metabolism, enzymes and biological reactions. Energy and Metabolism. Flow of matter and energy through living organisms. Glycolysis. Mitochondria, structure and functions, aerobic respiration. Composition, structure and role of the membranes. Selective plasma membrane permeability: osmosis, simple and facilitated diffusion, active transport. The internal membrane system. Smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Golgi Apparatus. Endocytosis and exocytosis. Lysosomes. Peroxisomes. The nucleus. Structure of the nuclear envelope. DNA as hereditary material. Structure of eukaryotic chromosomes and genes. DNA replication. Transcription and maturation of RNA. Structure of the ribosome. Protein synthesis. The genetic code. Sorting of proteins in cell compartments. Vesicular traffic. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structure and functions of the cytoskeleton: microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments. The cellular movement. The muscle cells. Extracellular matrix. Cellular adhesion. Cell junctions. Cellular communication. Receptor response mechanisms and signal transduction pathways. The cell cycle. Control of the cell cycle. The reproduction of cells and organisms. Mitosis. Apoptosis. Uncontrolled cell proliferation: cancer. Meiosis. Gametogenesis, fertilization, early stages of development in animals. The Mendelian models. The inheritance of characters in sexual reproductive organisms. Elements of plant biology. Peculiarities of plant cells. The cell wall and the vacuole. Structure and functions of plastids. Chloroplasts and photosynthesis. Plants C3, C4 and CAM. Darwinian concept of evolution. Natural and artificial selection.
HUMAN ANATOMY
GENERAL ANATOMY: General principles of human anatomy. Hollow and full organs.
HISTOLOGY: epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous tissues.
THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM: skin, hypodermis, associated glands, hair, nails.
THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM: blood, heart, blood vessels.
THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: lymph, lymphatic vessels, primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: nasal cavities, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs.
THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas.
THE URINARY SYSTEM: kidney, ureters, bladder, urethra.
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: Pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands.
THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: anatomy of the male reproductive system, anatomy of the female reproductive system.
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: spinal cord and spinal nerves, encephalon and cranial nerves, autonomic nervous system.
Biodiversity and the origin of life. The division into Kingdoms: Bacteria, Archaeans, Protists, Fungi, Plants and Animals. Atoms and chemical bonds. Organic components of the cell - Biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins) - Cell metabolism, enzymes and biological reactions. Energy and Metabolism. Flow of matter and energy through living organisms. Glycolysis. Mitochondria, structure and functions, aerobic respiration. Composition, structure and role of the membranes. Selective plasma membrane permeability: osmosis, simple and facilitated diffusion, active transport. The internal membrane system. Smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Golgi Apparatus. Endocytosis and exocytosis. Lysosomes. Peroxisomes. The nucleus. Structure of the nuclear envelope. DNA as hereditary material. Structure of eukaryotic chromosomes and genes. DNA replication. Transcription and maturation of RNA. Structure of the ribosome. Protein synthesis. The genetic code. Sorting of proteins in cell compartments. Vesicular traffic. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structure and functions of the cytoskeleton: microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments. The cellular movement. The muscle cells. Extracellular matrix. Cellular adhesion. Cell junctions. Cellular communication. Receptor response mechanisms and signal transduction pathways. The cell cycle. Control of the cell cycle. The reproduction of cells and organisms. Mitosis. Apoptosis. Uncontrolled cell proliferation: cancer. Meiosis. Gametogenesis, fertilization, early stages of development in animals. The Mendelian models. The inheritance of characters in sexual reproductive organisms. Elements of plant biology. Peculiarities of plant cells. The cell wall and the vacuole. Structure and functions of plastids. Chloroplasts and photosynthesis. Plants C3, C4 and CAM. Darwinian concept of evolution. Natural and artificial selection.
HUMAN ANATOMY
GENERAL ANATOMY: General principles of human anatomy. Hollow and full organs.
HISTOLOGY: epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous tissues.
THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM: skin, hypodermis, associated glands, hair, nails.
THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM: blood, heart, blood vessels.
THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM: lymph, lymphatic vessels, primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: nasal cavities, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs.
THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas.
THE URINARY SYSTEM: kidney, ureters, bladder, urethra.
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: Pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands.
THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: anatomy of the male reproductive system, anatomy of the female reproductive system.
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: spinal cord and spinal nerves, encephalon and cranial nerves, autonomic nervous system.
Prerequisites for admission
Teaching takes place in the first year, first semester, so there are no specific prerequisites different from those required for access to the degree course.
Teaching methods
GENERAL BIOLOGY
The teacher will use frontal lessons in classroom with the support of slides. The slides will be provided to students in the homepage of the teacher on the Ariel website (http://users.unimi.it/ariel).
HUMAN ANATOMY
The teacher will use frontal lessons in classroom with the support of slides. The slides will be provided to students in the homepage of the teacher on the Ariel website (http://users.unimi.it/ariel).
The teacher will use frontal lessons in classroom with the support of slides. The slides will be provided to students in the homepage of the teacher on the Ariel website (http://users.unimi.it/ariel).
HUMAN ANATOMY
The teacher will use frontal lessons in classroom with the support of slides. The slides will be provided to students in the homepage of the teacher on the Ariel website (http://users.unimi.it/ariel).
Teaching Resources
GENERAL BIOLOGY
Cooper GM, La cellula un approccio molecolare, PICCIN ,4a Edizione italiana, 2023
Solomon E.P., Martin C.E., Martin D.W., Berg L.R, Elementi di Biologia, EdiSES, 8a edizione, 2021.
HUMAN ANATOMY
Kenneth S. Saladin. Anatomia Umana, Terza edizione italiana sulla sesta in lingua inglese. Piccin.
Cooper GM, La cellula un approccio molecolare, PICCIN ,4a Edizione italiana, 2023
Solomon E.P., Martin C.E., Martin D.W., Berg L.R, Elementi di Biologia, EdiSES, 8a edizione, 2021.
HUMAN ANATOMY
Kenneth S. Saladin. Anatomia Umana, Terza edizione italiana sulla sesta in lingua inglese. Piccin.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written and oral examination with an evaluation expressed in thirtieths.
General Biology: oral examination on the ability to organize knowledge, reasoning ability and the quality of exposure.
Human Anatomy: written exam, with a duration of ninety minutes, four questions with open-ended answers.
Overall, preparation will be assessed in all the topics covered during the examination, including the ability to associate with each other the various processes and systems studied.
General Biology: oral examination on the ability to organize knowledge, reasoning ability and the quality of exposure.
Human Anatomy: written exam, with a duration of ninety minutes, four questions with open-ended answers.
Overall, preparation will be assessed in all the topics covered during the examination, including the ability to associate with each other the various processes and systems studied.
BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY - University credits: 8
BIO/16 - HUMAN ANATOMY - University credits: 4
BIO/16 - HUMAN ANATOMY - University credits: 4
Lessons: 96 hours
Professors:
Busnelli Marco, Moretti Roberta Manuela
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)