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2020/2021

Cell Biology and Animal Histology

Code: 100990 ECTS Credits: 9
Degree Type Year Semester
2500502 Microbiology FB 1 1
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Laura Tusell Padrós
Email:
Laura.Tusell@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)
Some groups entirely in English:
No
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

Teachers

Joaquim Martí Clúa
Laura Tusell Padrós
Mireia Sole Canal

Prerequisites

Sufficient knowledge of Biology during secondary school.

Objectives and Contextualisation

This is a compulsory first-year course that introduces students to the fundamentals aspects of cell biology and
tissue organization of vertebrates. In order to facilitate the learning process, the subject has been divided into
two thematic modules that respectively comprise the study of the eukaryotic cell and how these cells organize
themselves to form the different animal tissues.

The central object of study of Cellular Biology is the eukaryotic cell, the knowledge of intracellular molecules
and the interactions between cells that allow the construction of multicellular organisms. On the other hand, the
current object of Animal Histology is the study of the cellular groupings that constitute the animal tissues and their
correlation with the integrating tissue function.
The student who has enrolled this course has the possibility of reaching a deeper and more integrated vision of
animal organisms by taking the optional course "Developmental Biology" in the fourth year.

 
The specific objectives are:

1. To know the general structure, organization and functions of the different cellular organelles.
2. To acquire integrated cell concepts thanks to the ability to interrelate the different organelles from a
morpho-functional perspective.
3. Master the basic terminology and be able to express concepts properly and correctly describe cellular
structures.
4. To know the diversity of animal cells.
5. To know how to distinguish the cytophysiological characteristics that define the different animal tissues.

Competences

  • Communicate orally and in writing.
  • Develop critical reasoning skills in the field of study and in relation to the social context.
  • Identify and solve problems.
  • Obtain, select and manage information.
  • Recognise the different levels of organization of living beings, especially animals and plants, diversity and bases of regulation of vital functions of organisms and identify mechanisms of adaptation to the environment.
  • Use bibliography or internet tools, specific to microbiology or other related disciplines, both in English and in the first language.
  • Work individually or in groups, in multidisciplinary teams and in an international context.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Communicate orally and in writing.
  2. Develop critical reasoning skills in the field of study and in relation to the social context.
  3. Identify and solve problems.
  4. Identify animal and plant tissues, taking into account the morphology, microscopic and ultra-microscopic structure and cytophysiology of their components.
  5. Identify the cell types that, while maintaining their differentiation, coexist in a single tissue environment
  6. Obtain, select and manage information.
  7. Relate the methodologies used in cell biology to the knowledge they generate.
  8. Relate the structure of the different parts of a cell to its functioning and integrate the functions of the different organelles and cell structures with the overall functioning of the cell.
  9. Use bibliography or internet tools, specific to microbiology or other related disciplines, both in English and in the first language.
  10. Work individually or in groups, in multidisciplinary teams and in an international context.

Content

The content of this course consists of two well differentiated parts: Cell Biology and Animal Histology. The study of the cell constitutes the basis for the study of tissues, which are linked to the higher level of organization, the organs. During the first weeks of the semester cell biology contents are taught to acquire basic knowledge about the structure of the cell before starting to study the different tissues present in animal organisms. In the middle of the semester and until the end, the Cell Biology lectures will overlap with the Animal Histology ones.

Contents are the following unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or reduction of these.

 

MODULE I. Cell Biology

I. GLOBAL VISION OF THE CELL

Unit 1. The cell

Unit 2. Visualization of cells and their components. 

II. CELLULAR SURFACE

Unit 3. Structure and composition of the plasma membrane.

Unit 4. Transport of molecules through the membranes.

III. COMPARTMENTS OF THE EUKARYOTIC CELL

Unit 5. Introduction to intracellular compartments and the cytosol. 

Unit 6. Endoplasmic reticulum. 

Unit 7. Basic principles of vesicular transport. 

Unit 8. Golgi apparatus and secretion routes. 

Unit 9. Routes of endocytosis. 

Unit 10. Mitochondria. 

Unit 11. Chloroplasts. 

Unit 12. Peroxisomes. 

Unit 13. Nucleus. 

IV. CYTOSKELETON AND CELL MOVEMENT

Unit 14. Microfilaments. 

Unit 15. Microtubules. 

Unit 16. Intermediate filaments. 

V. THE VITAL CYCLE OF THE EUKARYOTIC CELL

Unit 17. Cell cycle and Mitosis. 

Unit 18. Meiosis. 

 

MODULE II. Animal Histology

Topic 1. Concept of animal tissue. Cellular and extracellular components. Intercellular relationships: communication and coordination. Maintenance of tissue integrity. Classification of animal tissues.

Topic 2. Epithelial tissue. Differentiation of the surface of the epithelial cell. Cellular polarity and intercellular junctions. Basal lamina. Lining epiteliums: structural and physiological characteristics. Types of coating epithelia. Glandular epithelia: types of secretory cells. Classification and general properties of the exocrine glands. Integrative functions of the endocrine glands.

Topic 3. Connective tissue. Extracellular matrix: fibers and fundamental substance. Fixed and free cells of connective tissue. Fibroblast and fibrogenesis. Mastocytes, plasmocytes, macrophages and mononuclear phagocytic system. Varieties of connective tissue. Epithelial-conjunctive relations.

Topic 4. Adipose tissue. The adipocyte. Unilocular and multilocular adipose tissue: structure, function and distribution. Nervous and endocrine regulation.

Topic 5. Cartilaginous tissue. Cartilaginous matrix. Chondrocyte. Varieties of the cartilaginous tissue: hyaline, elastic and fibrous. Histo-physiology and involutive processes.

Topic 6. Bone tissue. Architectural organization of the bone. Bone matrix Osteoblasts-osteocytes: structure and function. Osteoclast and bone resorption. Histo-physiology. Varieties of bone tissue: laminar and non-laminar. Osteonas, interstitial and circumferential systems. Osteogenesis: intramembranous and endochondral ossification. Bone remodeling.

Topic 7. Blood. Blood plasma and formed elements. Erythrocyte: structure and function. Thrombocytes and platelets: blood coagulation. Leukocytes. Granulocytes: neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. Agranulocytes: monocytes and lymphocytes.

Topic 8. Muscle tissue. Varieties of muscle tissue. Histo-architecture of skeletal muscle. Striated muscle fiber. Contractile device. Myofibrils and sarcomeres. Cytophysiology of muscle contraction. Cardiac muscle fiber. Intercalary discs. Smooth muscle fiber: contraction mechanism.

Topic 9. Nervous tissue. Neuron: morpho-functional regionalization. Axonic flow. Structural bases of the generation and propagation of the nervous impulse. Interneuronal synapse Neuroglia.

Methodology

The subject will be taught following the guidelines imposed by the Convergence process towards the creation of a European Higher Education Area (EHEA), endorsed by the Bologna Declaration (1999). Basically, this implies a more active participation of students in their own learning process, which translates into greater participation of students in class, more interaction among students and of these with the teacher. In addition to classroom-based (lectures) methodology, the learning process is completed through remote activities during the school term that translates into an important weight of the final grade of the subject. Teaching methodology and modalities are described as follows:

Teaching methodology in Cell Biology

Lectures

The content of the theory program will be taught mainly by the teacher in the form of master classes. The theoretical classes will be complemented by the visualization of animations and videos related to the subjects covered in class. Teacher's presentations will be available in *pdf format in the Moodle platform. It is recommended that students take this material to class to use as support when taking notes. Although it is not essential to extend the contents of the classes taught by the teacher, unless it is specifically requested, students are advised to consult the books recommended in the Bibliography section on a regular basis to consolidate and clarify, if necessary, the contents explained in class.

In addition, the follow-up of the course also implies an active role of the students, through the preparation of some of the Units of the program. At the beginning of the course, the student will be provided with a list of the sections to be prepared and a detailed script of the aspects and contents that must be developed for each one of them. The detailed description of the contentsthat students must prepare will be collected in the form of a Self-Learning Work Guide, available in Moodle. The preparation of these Units by the students will help them to achieve their skills in individual or group work. It is intended that students acquire the ability to seek information from different sources and synthesize all the information collected; as well as being responsible and independent in the study of a subject.

Scientific problems Sessions

The resolution of scientific problems allows to carry out a very interesting deduction and integration exercise for the scientific training of the students. Therefore, the theoretical knowledge is complemented with the resolution of 20 problems related to the Units covered in class. Thus, these classes involve an integration of concepts and knowledge that let the student know its level of learning and are a way of approaching the student to the scientific method.

The proposed problems, the response template as well as a delivery guidelines will also be found in the Moodle platform. To solve the problems, students should form groups of four people that will meet outside of the class hours. At the beginning of the course the students will organize themselves to arrange the groups viathe Moodle platform. At the beginning of the programmed scientific problems sessions, each group of students will deliver the responses of a specific set of problems on a paper written by hand. The problems will then be discussed and corrected in class requiring the active participation of the students. A student will be asked at random to present the resolution of a problem and explain it to the rest of the classmates.This presentation will be evaluated by the teacher and the students through an online questionnaire. The evaluation rubric will be available in the Moodle platform in pdf format. In addition, for each problem session each group of students must submit a portfolio where information related to the execution of the problems will be collected. Students will have the portfolio template to answer in the Moodle. Finally, students will be asked to answer two questionnaires about teamwork (one in the middle and the other at the end of the problems sessions). The information collected in these questionnaires may be considered to verify and modulate, if necessary, the mark of the group work of each student. Scientific problems session’s attendance is mandatory (the name of the students attending will be recorded). If a session of problems is missed in an unjustified way –medical cause- there will be a penalty in the corresponding mark of the module.

Tutorials

The tutorials will be carried out in a personalized way in the teacher's offices at arranged hours. The students should contact to the teacher at class or by e-mail to schedule a meeting. The tutorials should be used to clarify concepts, settle the knowledge acquired and facilitate the study by students. They can also be used to solve doubts that students have about the preparation of self-learning work, or the course in general.

 

Teaching methodology in Animal Histology

Master Classes

The content of the program will be taught mainly by the teacher in the form of master classes. The theoretical classes will be complemented by the visualization of cartoons and videos related to the topics covered in class. The teacher's presentations will be available in * pdf format in the Moodle.

It is recommended that students print this material and take it to class, to use it as support when taking notes. Although it is not essential to extend the contents of the classes taught by the teacher, unless it is specifically requested, students are advised to consult the books recommended in the Bibliography section on a regular basis to consolidate and clarify, if necessary, the contents explained in class.

Seminars

Scheduled seminars are designed for students to work in small groups, and acquire skills of group work and critical thinking. Students will be divided into groups of 4 to 6 to work on a specific topic of the program proposed by the teacherfor the subsequent oral presentation and collective discussion. Thus, the follow-up of the seminars will imply an active role of the students in the exposed topics.
The organization of the working groups and the distribution of the topics to be discussed will be carried out during the first seminar. In the remaining seminars some groups of students, chosen at random, having prepared the proposed subject, will deliver it in writing to the teacher. The same groups of students will orally present the topic to the rest of the class, with the available means in the classroom.

For the preparation of the seminars, the students should use the appropriate bibliography, as well as the scientific papers related to the topics.

Attendance at seminars is mandatory. In case of missing class for cause not justified there will be a penalty in the note of the seminars.

Tutorials

Tutorials will be done in a personalized way in the teacher's office (to be agreed with the teacher). The tutorials should be used to clarify concepts, settle the knowledge acquired and facilitate the study by students. They can also be used to solve doubts that students have about the preparation of seminars.

The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modificationsdepending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.

 

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Lectures 58 2.32 5, 4, 6, 8, 7, 9
Scientific Problems 6 0.24 2, 3, 6, 7, 1, 10, 9
Seminars 4 0.16 5, 4, 6, 1, 9
Type: Supervised      
Preparation 0.5 0.02 5, 4, 6, 8, 9
Type: Autonomous      
Bibliography 7 0.28 6, 9
Oral presentation 13 0.52 5, 4, 6, 1, 9
Problem solving 21 0.84 2, 3, 6, 8, 7, 1, 10, 9
Reading 10 0.4 2
Study 98 3.92 2, 5, 4, 6, 8, 7, 9

Assessment

The evaluation of academic achievements is not simple and must take into consideration whether a level of knowledge, skills, abilities and critical maturity has been acquired in accordance with the previously established objectives. This evaluation process involves different levels of assessment: (i) student's abilities towards assimilated information, (ii) student's comprehension and its ability to relate and integrate with other knowledge, (iii) determine whether the student understands and is able to apply the methodologies and techniques acquired during the semester, and, finally, (iv) determine if students can solve experimental problems.

As explained before, the content of this subject is divided into two well-differentiated thematic modules: Cell Biology and Animal Histology that have a weight of 67% and 33%, respectively, in the final grade of the subject. The 2 modules will only be weighted when each of the final mark in each module exceeds 5 points out of 10.

Module I Evaluation: Cell Biology

The competences of this subject will be evaluated through continuous evaluation, and will include different tests, written works, scientific problems resolution and public presentation. The evaluation system is organized in 2 sections, each of which has a specific weight in the final grade of the Cell Biology module:

Written tests-theory (75% of the global mark):

In this section, the scientific knowledge reached by each student, as well as its capacity for analysis and synthesis, and for scientific reasoning is evaluated. The individual evaluation of the theoretical concepts studied will be carried out through two written tests throughout the course (see the syllabus of the subject). The weight of the second written evaluation is a little bit higher than that of the first one (40% vs 35%, respectively) given that: 1) there is a large amount of subject and 2) implies the integration of concepts belonging to the first evaluation (see the table below).

Scientific problems (25% of the global mark):

In this section, the public presentation of problems resolution by the students of each group is evaluated in the classroom. The mark of this part comes from the arithmetic mean of the sum of the grades obtained in the oral presentations of the students from each group. This final grade will be shared by all the group members and will represent the 10% of the final grade. Likewise, the delivery of the written solutions of the problems -in the appropriate format and established term- and the corresponding portfolio will be taken into consideration (5%). Finally, the obtained grade in this block can be individually modulated downwards, depending on the portfolio and attendance. Scientific problems sessions are mandatory. In case of unjustified missed classes a penalty will be imposed: absence 1 session = reduction of 10% of the mark; absence 2 sessions = 50% reduction of the mark, absence ≥3 sessions = 0.

The remaining 10% of the overall mark of this section will come from the individual resolution of a scientific problem the day of the written test I (5%) and the day of the written test II (5%).

Students who do not participate in the training activities by solving scientific problems on a group work basis, can only obtain the 10% of the grade corresponding to the individual resolution of two scientific problems on the days of the written tests I and II.

Cell Biology evaluation activities

Itinerary 1

Itinerary 2

WRITEN TESTS

 

 

Written test I

3.5

 

Written test II

4.0

 

Written tests retake

 

7.5

SCIENTIFIC PROBLEMS

 

 

Oral presentation

1.0

1.0

Problems delivery and portfolios

0.5

0.5

Individual resolution of scientific problem I

0.5

0.5

Individual resolution ofscientific problem II

0.5

0.5

TOTAL points

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those students with a grade equal to or higher than 4.0 (out of 10) in each of the tests (I and II) can weight them. However, to pass the Cell Biology module, it is essential to obtain a final grade higher than 4.5 (out of 10) in the written tests-theory (75% of the module) and a final mark equal to or greater than 5 points (out of 10) after weighting all the sections (written tests + scientific problems).

Retake process:

Students who initially do not pass the module through continuous assessment, can be eligible for the retake process. However, to do so, the student must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities whose weight equals a minimum of 2/3 of the total qualification of the module (67%). All activities corresponding to scientific problems are excluded from the retake process.

In summary, the retake will consist of a written test exam that will evaluate the acquisition of the formative objectives corresponding to the theory section. The different assumptions for presenting themselves to the retake process include:

- That the grade ofthe written tests I and/or II is less than 4.0 (out of 10).

- That the score obtained after weighing the written tests does not reach 4.5 (out of 10).

- That the weighted average of written tests + scientific problems is less than 5 points (out of 10).

In addition, those students who - having passed the subject through continuous assessment - want to present themselves to upload a grade, may do so if they inform the teacher in advance. In this context, the students renounce the qualification obtained previously in the corresponding partial tests.

 

Module II Evaluation: Animal Histology

Competences of this subject will be evaluated through continuous evaluation, which will include individual tests of theoretical and practical knowledge and group seminars.

The evaluation system is organized into two sections, each of which is evaluated in a independent and assigned a specific weight in the final grade of the subject:

Written tests (80% of the overall mark):

In this section, the knowledge obtained by each student is evaluated individually with test-type exams. A written test will be done at the end of the contents of the Histology program. Students who have obtained a grade lower than 4 (out of 10) in this test will not be able to weight it with the grade obtained in the seminars and, therefore, they will have to perform the final test of recovery.

Seminars (20% of the global grade):

This section assesses the capacity for analysis and synthesis of students of each group, as well as the skills of group work and oral presentation.

The seminars will be evaluated as follows:

Report

50%

The teacher evaluates (out of 10) the works delivered by the students on the day of the seminar

Oral presentation

20%

The teacher evaluates (out of 10) the skills of each group of students in the presentation of the work

Inter-grup evaluation

15%

Each group of students evaluates (out of 10) the groups that perform the oral presentation

Intra-grup evaluation

15%

Within each group, each student evaluates (out of 10) each one of the classmates that make up their work group. This evaluation will be carried out in the last seminar

TOTAL

100%

 


Attendance at seminars is mandatory.

In case of missing class for unjustified reasons there will be a penalty in the seminar note:

absence 1 session = reduction of 20% of the grade

absence 2 sessions = reduction of 40% of the grade

absence ≥3 sessions = reduction of 80% of the grade.

In order to pass the Histology module, it will be essential to obtain a final grade, after the weighting of all the sections (written tests + seminars), equal or superior to 5 points (out of a total of 10).

 

Global Considerations of the Subject

Overall, the relative weight (in %) of each assessment test within each module of the subject is summarized as follows:

 

Module 1 - BC

Module 2 - HA

Evaluation activities

   

WRITTEN TESTS (%)

   

Written test I

23,45

 

Written test II

26,8

 

Written test III

 

26,4

SCIENTIFIC PROBLEMS (%)

   

Oral presentation

6,7

 

Problems delivery & portfolios

3,35

 

Individual resolution of scientific problem I

3,35

 

Individual resolution of scientific problem II

3,35

 

SEMINARS (%)

   

Report

 

3,3

Oral presentation

 

1,32

Inter-group evaluation

 

0,99

Intra-group evaluation

 

0,99

% Total

67

33

A studentwill be considered as “Non-evaluated” when the assessment activities performed have a weight lesser than 67% in the qualification of the final score of the course or module.

Students who have not passed one of the two modules (mark below 5 out of 10) will not pass the course. Despite this, in the following enrolments of the subject, repeating students will only have to evaluate the specific module they have not passed. In addition, if it has been obtained in the problem classes of the BC module (15% overall of the module mark) and/or of the H module seminars (20% overall of the module mark), a grade equal or higher than 5 points out of 10, the student will be exempt from attending these classes and the mark will be recorded for the following academic year. This exemption will be maintained for a period of two additional registrations (a total of 3 enrolments).

Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.

NB: Thistext has not been proofreading by a native English, so in case of any doubt or incongruity, the information provided in the Catalan/Spanish version will prevail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Scientific Problems 16.75% 1.5 0.06 3, 6, 8, 7, 1, 9
Seminars 6.6% 0 0 2, 5, 4, 6, 1, 10, 9
Writen test Cell Biology 2 26.8% 1.75 0.07 5, 4, 6, 8
Written test Animal Histology 1 26.4% 2.5 0.1 2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 8, 7, 1, 10, 9
Written test Cell Biology 1 23,5% 1.75 0.07 2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 8, 7, 1, 10

Bibliography

MODULE I. Cell Biology

Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th Edition). Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Morgan D, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P. Garland Science 2015.

Biología Molecular de la Célula (6ª Ed). Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Morgan D, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P. Ediciones Omega S.A. 2016.  

Molecular Cell Biology (8th Edition). Lodish H, Berk A, Kaiser CA, Krieger M, Bretscher A, Ploegh H, Amon A, Martin KC. WH Freeman & Co 2016.

Biología Celular y Molecular (7ª Ed). Lodish H, Berk A, Kaiser CA, Krieger M, Bretscher A, Ploegh H, Amon A, Martin KC. Editorial Médica Panamericana 2016.

(Restricted access to UAB students, check web Servei de Biblioteca)

Karp's Cell and Molecular Biology (8th Edition). Karp G, Iwasa J, Marshall W. Wiley 2016.

Biología celular y molecular: conceptos y experimentos (8ª Ed). Karp G, Iwasa J, Marshall W. McGrawHill 2019.

(Restricted access to UAB students, check web Servei de Biblioteca)

Essential Cell Biology (5th Edition) Alberts B, Hopkin K, Johnson A, Morgan D, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P. WW Norton & Company 2019.

Introducción a la Biología Celular (3ª Ed). Alberts B, Bray D, Johnson A, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P. Editorial Médica Panamericana 2011.

(Restricted access to UAB students, check web Servei de Biblioteca)

The Cell: a molecular approach (8th Edition). Cooper GM. Oxford University Press 2019.

La Célula (7ª Ed). Cooper GM & Hausman RE. Marbán Libros S.L. 2017.

 The contents of some books can be consulted online at NCBI, at the following address: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=Books&itool=toolbar.

 

MODULE II. Animal Histology

Text atlas of Histology(ed. McGraw Hill). Gartner, L.P. Hiatt, J.L.

Histology (ed. Panamericana). Geneser, F.

Basic histology (ed. Masson). Junqueira, L.C. and Carneiro, J.

The tissues of man and mammals (ed McGraw Hill). Krstic, R.V.

Histology. Text and color atlas with cellular and molecular biology (ed. Panamericana). Ross, M.H. and Pawlina, W

Human histology (ed. Elsevier). Stevens, A. and Lowe, J. Sobotta Welsch Histology (ed. Panamericana). Welsch. OR.

Molecular Biology of the Cell (5th Edition). Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P. Editions Omega S.A. Barcelona. 2010