Cell biology is an introduction to the study of the cellular organization, both in its structural and functional aspects. The main objective is that students acquire a conceptual and practical basis on the cellular phenomena that allow them to understand the biochemical basis of the cellular processes and their biotechnological applications. All the theory is structured in four thematic blocks: introduction to cell biology, cytology, cell cycle and cellular development.
Competences
Type A
Code
Competences Specific
A4
Know and understand in an integrated manner the organisms at molecular, cellular and metabolic level.
A8
Analyse appropriately data and experimental results from the fields of biotechnology with statistical techniques and be able to interpret it.
A10
Know how to apply the basic knowledge of structure and function of multicellular organisms in the production of biotechnological products.
Understand the relations between cell components and their functions.
Type B
Code
Learning outcomes
Type C
Code
Learning outcomes
Contents
Topic
Sub-topic
BLOCK 1. INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY.
CELL BIOLOGY.
Description.
Unit 1. BIOLOGY INTRODUCTION. Biology concepts. Origin of life.
Unit 2. GENERALITIES OF THE CELL. Cell theory. Morphology and composition of the cell. Structural, genetic and physiological properties of the cell. Prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells and viruses.
Unit 3. FUNDAMENTAL FUNCTIONS OF LIVING ORGANISMS. Metabolism: nutrition, respiration and synthesis. Self-perpetuation: homeostasis, reproduction and adaptation.
BLOCK 2. CITOLOGY. Description.
Unit 4. STUDY METHODS OF THE CELL (I) ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC MICROSCOPE. Historical introduction to the study of cells. Types of microscopes and their applications. Techniques of preparation of the biological material.
Unit 5. STUDY METHODS OF THE CELL (II). Cell splitting. Cell cultures. Techniques of localization microscopy of specific molecules: Cytochemistry, immunocytochemistry and autoradiography.
Unit 7. PLASMATIC MEMBRANE. Structure. Chemical composition and molecular organization. Physiological activity: permeability. Specializations of the surface. Biogenesis.
Unit 8. EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX AND ITS RECEPTORS. The matrix to animal cells: components and organisation. The matrix to the plant cells: the cellular wall.
Unit 9. CYTOPLASMATIC MATRIX. Structure. Chemical composition. Physiological activity.
Unit 10. CYTOSKELETON. General organization and constituent elements. Microtubules: organization and dynamics. Organizing centers of microtubules: centrioles, basal corpuscles and centromeres. Microtubular structures: achromatic spindle, cilia and flagella. Microfilaments: organization and dynamics. Intermediate filaments: diversity and organization. Interactions between the different components of the cytoskeleton. Fundamentals of cellular movement.
Unit 11. ENDOPLASMATIC RETICULUM. Structure. Chemical composition. Physiological activity. Biogenesis.
Unit 12. GOLGI COMPLEX. Structure. Chemical composition. Physiological activity. Biogenesis.
Unit 13. LYSOSOMES AND ENDOSOMES. Types. Structure. Chemical composition. Physiological activity. Biogenesis.
Unit 14. PEROXISOMES. Types. Structure. Chemical composition. Physiological activity. Biogenesis.
Unit 15. MITOCHONDRIA. Structure. Chemical composition. Physiological activity. Biogenesis.
Unit 16. PLASTIDS: chloroplasts. Structure. Chemical composition. Physiological activity. Biogenesis.
Unit 17. INTERPHASE NUCLEI: nuclear envelope. Structure. Chemical composition. Physiological activity. Biogenesis.
Unit 18. INTERPHASE NUCLEI: nuclear matrix. Composition and organisation of genetic material: chromatin.
Unit 20. RIBOSOMES. Structure. Chemical composition. Role in protein biosynthesis. Biogenesis.
BLOCK 3. CELL CYCLE AND DEVELOPMENT. Description.
Unit 21. CELL CYCLE. Change and cell growth. Stages and cell cycle regulation. Aging and cell death.
Unit 22. CELL DIVISION (I): Mitosis. Overview. Molecular organisation and functional role of the mitotic apparatus.
Unit 23. CELL DIVISION (I): meiosis and gametogenesis. Overview. Nuclear and cytoplasmic changes during gametogenesis. Structure of egg and sperm.
Unit 24. FERTILIZATION. Description of the process of fertilisation. Activation of the egg. Specific egg-sperm receptor.
Unit 25. FEATURES STAGES OF EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT. Segmentation, blastula, gastrula. Nucleo-cytoplasmic interactions during development. Neurulation and embryonic induction. Cell differentifeatation. Training pattern.
BLOCK OF PRACTICES. Practices.
Practice 1. Introduction to the optical and stereo microscopy and how does it work.
Practice 2. Introduction to electron microscopy and how does it work.
Practice 3. Introduction to the cell structure (I): Differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.
Practice 4. Introduction to the cell structure (I): Differences between animal and plant cells.
Practice 5. Introduction to the cell structure (I): microscopic fungi.
Practice 6. Cell division processes: mitosis.
Practice 7. Cell division processes: mitosis.
Practice 8. Gametogenesis: spermatogenesis and oogenesis.
Practice 9. KARYOTYPE: study of human chromosomes. Interests and application.
Practice 10. Blood groups determination. Application of genetic problems.
(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher. (**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.
Activities designed to make contact with students, collect information from them and introduce the subject.
Lecture
Theoretical explanation of the thematic blocks in class during the first semester, distributed in 2 hours per week, according to the official schedule. These classes have a duration of 50 minutes. It will start promptly and end 10 minutes earlier.
Laboratory practicals
Guided practicals are mandatory. They will last for a total of 24 hours, distributed in 3 hours a day for 8 days according to the official schedule. The content of the practices is oriented in such a way that allows the student a better understanding of the theoretical part of the program. They also deal with aspects treated superficially in theoretical classes.
Previous requirements:
1) students must wear a laboratory coat and the practical script which they can acquire in ''MOODLE''.
2) before each practice, the student should read carefully the protocol; it allows a better use and help in the preparation of the corresponding questionnaire.
Important notice: students who miss more than two practices without justifiable cause will be given a personalized examination (see evaluation)that have to be done before the final exam. This will not exempt you from having to answer in the final exam the practice question, since it is only a way of evaluating the practices that have not been attended in the laboratory.
Seminars
The seminars will consist of PowerPoint presentations that students will perform in groups of 3 or 4 members, from a recent publication that will provided to them and that evaluates aspects related to the contents of the theoretical agenda of the subject. The members of each working group, as well as the corresponding publication, will be assigned by the professors in charge of the seminars.
The presentation should include:
Introduction (10 min)
Content of the article (10-15 min)
- Issues raised
- Results obtained
Personal attention
Personalized attention
Description
We recommend students to make use of the personalized attention by consulting their doubts with the teacher, at the class change or asking for a personalized interview. Given that the professors of this subject have their offices at the Faculty of Medicine of Reus we recommend that students make use of personalized attention through the use of electronic mail at any time throughout the course.
The evaluation of guided practicals is carried through the assistance, that is compulsory, for all students except those student who repeat the subject, by a question included in the final exam.
Those students who have missed more than two practices without justification will make an additional test only of this part of program.
At the end of each seminar it will be an evaluation of the subject developed consisting of five questions type True / False (10 minutes to answer) (10% seminars mark).
Assessment of exposure (10% of the seminar).
Each group member will have presented a part of the work to be evaluated. Teachers and classmates may ask questions concerning the presentation.
20%
Mixed tests
A4
A8
A10
The contents of the subject explained in the lectures will be evaluated through an exam and a final exam or synthesis that must represent a mark of 5 of 10 in order to consider them for approval. The final exam or synthesis will include short questions or schemes of three blocks and a question of the laboratory practicals. Students who have passed the exam will not be examined of this contents at the final exam. The final grade for the course will be derived from the average of the two exam passes over the mark obtained in the seminars. If not so, the final will be suspended only for seminars and practices.
All those students who have not passed any of the examinations will have the opportunity to do a test recovery (second call) that have the same structure as the final exam. Like other exams must be overcome in a mark of 5 out of 10, but will thus not be considered in the final grade or the partial or final if it is approved or presentation. The grade of the seminars will be saved during the next academic year for students repeaters.
70%
Others
The students that repeat the subject are not required to repeat the laboratory practicals if they have completed all of them, but it is necessary to examine the question on the final exam. It will not be necessary for them to do the seminars again and they will be kept the grade obtained only during the next academic year. The approved partial notes of the theoretical contents are not saved for the next academic year.
Other comments and second exam session
The following questions are made with the aim of guiding students to get the best results (maximum score) of the examination.
1. When the student is asked to define a concept, it is expected answering three basic points:
a. What is? (Structure, composition, specific process is performed)
b. Where is it? (Location of the structure or the process)
c. What does? (Function-specific component, or process stage)
Also, if applicable, is expected to put a specific example or draw a picture if it's relevant.
2. If the question is asked to make a scheme it is important to make it clear and understandable and be complemented with a brief explanation.
3. Students who want to review their examination should take their notes in order to verify and assess more carefully.
Sources of information
Basic
Biología celular
PANIAGUA, R. & cols.
2ª ed. McGraw-Hill Interamericana
Madrid (2003)
Llibre
Biología celular y molecular
KARP, G.
4ª ed. McGraw-Hill Interamericana
Mèxic (2005)
Llibre
Biología celular y molecular
Lodish, H. et al.
5ª ed. Panamericana
Barcelona (2005)
Llibre
Biología del desarrollo
Gilbert
7ª ed. Panamericana
Barceolna 2005)
Llibre
Biología molecular de la célula
ALBERTS, B., D. BRAY, J. LEWIS, M. RAFF, K. ROBERTS & J.D. WATSON
4ª ed. Omega.
Barcelona (2004)
Llibre
Biología molecular del gen
WATSON, J. et al.
5ª ed Panamericana
Barcelona (2006)
Llibre
Genética moderna
GRIFFITHS AJF, GELBART WM, MILLER JH
Mc Graw-Hill lnteramericana
Madrid (2000)
Llibre
Genética. Un enfoque conceptual.
PIERCE, B.A.
2ª ed Panamericana
Barcelona (2006)
Llibre
Introducción a la Biología Celular
ALBERTS, B., BRAY D., JOHNSON A., LEWIS J., RAFF M., ROBERTS K., WALTER P.
2ª ed. Panamericana
Barcelona (2006)
Llibre
Complementary
Recommendations
(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.