Cell Biology
Code: 102954 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2502442 Medicine | FB | 1 | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Itziar Salaverria Frigola
- Email:
- Itziar.Salaverria@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Teachers
- Pere Puig Rosell
- Vicenç Català Cahís
- Maria Oliver Bonet
- Itziar Salaverria Frigola
- Judit Pampalona Sala
- Alejandro Gella Concustell
- Mariona Terradas Ill
- Keyvan Torabi Asensio
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking the core subject of Cell Biology as it is a subject in the first semester of the first year. However, in order to ensure proper follow-up and the achievement of the learning objectives set out, it is recommended that students have a basic general knowledge of the structure, chemical composition and functions of the cells.
In addition, students should have good knowledge of English because many of the sources of information on this subject are in this language.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The subject of Cell Biology is attended to the first year of the Degree of Medicine, corresponding to a preclinical period, where students must obtain solid knowledge about the structural organization, functioning and regulation of the cells, Eukaryotic cells.
These basic skills are complemented with other basic and compulsory subjects in the Plan of Studies such as Biochemistry, Human genetics, Histology and Physiology, which will provide the student with a good understanding of the structural and functional organization of the human organism in the normal state (non-pathological).
On the other hand, the theoretical knowledge acquired in the subject of Cell Biology is complemented by practical training in the laboratory that allows students to introduce the techniques of study of the somatic and germinal cells, in a state of rest or division as well as of the observation of the cellular ultrastructure.
The formative objective of Cell Biology is that the students at the end of the subject are able to:
- Recognize the main differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- Describe the structure, chemical composition and main functions of cell membranes
- Explain the processes of transport through the cell membranes
- Describe the organization and chemical composition of other elements of the cell surface
- Describe the structure, chemical composition and functions of the different cell compartments
- Explain the structure, chemical composition and functions of mitochondria and peroxisomes
- Describe the role of the cytosol
- Describe the structure, chemical composition and functions of the nuclear envelope and chromatin.
- Recognize the basic mechanisms of nuclear activity: replication and transcription
- List the different components of the cytoskeleton and describe its composition and structure
- Explain the contribution of the cytoskeleton in the formation of tissues
- Identify the molecules that participate in the control of the regulation of the cell cycle
- Describe the mechanisms involved in cell death for necrosis and apoptosis
- List and describe the different phases of the mitotic and myosic cell division and compare the two types of cell divisions
- Describe the process of male and female gametogenesis and compare the two types of processes
- Explain the Fertilization process
- Use properly the scientific terminology used in the field of Cell Biology
Competences
- Communicate clearly, orally and in writing, with other professionals and the media.
- Convey knowledge and techniques to professionals working in other fields.
- Critically assess and use clinical and biomedical information sources to obtain, organise, interpret and present information on science and health.
- Demonstrate basic research skills.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and physical, biochemical and biological processes that help to understand the functioning of the organism and its disorders.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic sciences and the principles underpinning them.
- Demonstrate understanding of the importance and the limitations of scientific thought to the study, prevention and management of diseases.
- Demonstrate understanding of the mechanisms of alterations to the structure and function of the systems of the organism in illness.
- Demonstrate understanding of the organisation and functions of the genome, the mechanisms of transmission and expression of genetic information and the molecular and cellular bases of genetic analysis.
- Demonstrate understanding of the structure and function of the body systems of the normal human organism at different stages in life and in both sexes.
- Formulate hypotheses and compile and critically assess information for problem-solving, using the scientific method.
- Maintain and sharpen one's professional competence, in particular by independently learning new material and techniques and by focusing on quality.
- Recognise the effects of growth, development and ageing on individuals and their social environment.
Learning Outcomes
- Communicate clearly, orally and in writing, with other professionals and the media.
- Convey knowledge and techniques to professionals working in other fields.
- Demonstrate basic research skills.
- Describe the functional and organisational structure of hereditary nuclear and mitochondrial material.
- Describe the processes involved in somatic and germinal cell proliferation: mitosis and meiosis.
- Describe the processes of cell differentiation, ageing and death.
- Explain how alterations to cell components lead to structural and functional alterations to systems of the human organism.
- Explain the molecular and cellular significance of tissue and system structure.
- Formulate hypotheses and compile and critically assess information for problem-solving, using the scientific method.
- Identify the basic functional and organisational structure of hereditary nuclear and mitochondrial material.
- Identify the basic processes of life on various levels of organisation: cell, organ and individual.
- Identify the cell processes that can be the cause or the consequence of pathological manifestations in the organism.
- Identify the main cellular processes involved in growth, development and ageing in individuals and their social environment.
- Identify the mechanisms and the molecular and cellular processes that can be the cause or the consequence of pathological manifestations in the organism.
- Integrate the functions of the the different cell organelles and structures with the overall functioning of the cell.
- Maintain and sharpen one's professional competence, in particular by independently learning new material and techniques and by focusing on quality.
- Relate the structure of the different parts of cell to its functioning.
- Use specific bibliographic sources in cell biology to work independently on acquiring further knowledge.
Content
Basic techniques in Cell Biology. Plasma membrane. Internal membrane system. Energy conversion organs. Cytoskeleton Extracellular matrix. Nucleus and its relation with the cytoplasm. Cell cycle: Interphase and Mitosis. Cell Death: Necrosis and Apoptosis. Meiosis. Male and female gametogenesis. Fertilization.
Distributive blocks
A. Levels of cell organization. Cell theory and general organization of the cell. General characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
B. Plasma membrane. Macromolecular organization of the plasma membrane and glycocalyx. Characteristics of the membrane: fluidity and asymmetry. Functions of the membrane: transport of ions, small molecules, macromolecules and particles. Processes of endocytosis, pinocytosis, potocytosis, phagocytosis and exocytosis
C. Internal membrane system. Introduction to cell division and the traffic of proteins and other molecules. Elements of the internal membranous system. Structure and functions of the rugged and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, of the Golgi apparatus, of the endosomes and lysosomes
D. Mitochondria and peroxisomes. Structure and composition and functions of mitochondria and peroxisome. Functions of mitochondria and peroxisome. Oxidation in mitochondria and peroxisomes. Biogenesis. Mitochondrial genome and protein synthesis. Import of proteins and lipids from the cytosol
E. Cytosol and Cytoskeleton. Functions of the cytosol. Cytoskeleton Components: Functions. Structure of actin filaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments. Stable and stable microtubules. Associated proteins of actin and microtubule filaments. Types of intermediate filaments and presence according to cell types
F. Cell adhesion. Membrane and adhesion molecules. Structure and functions and the different types of joints: occlusives, anchorages, cell-cell adhesives, cell-matrix extracellular adhesives, and communicants
G. Nucleus and nuclear activity. Structure of its components: nuclear envelope, nuclear pores, nuclear lamina, nuclear matrix, nucleus, nucleoplasm and chromatin. Structure and organization of nuclear chromatin. Nuclear activity: processes of transcription, maturation and replication of chromatin
H. Control of the Cell Cycle. Phases of the cell cycle. Cell cycle control mechanism: Control points and participating components. Role of the cyclin-protein complex: Cyclin-dependent kinases
I. Cell Death. Differences between cell death for necrosis and apoptosis. Mechanism involved in apoptosis. Mitochondria paper
J. Mitosi i Meiosi. Mitotic division and phases: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase and the cytokinesis process. Cycles of chromosomal condensation, fragmentation and assembly of the nucleus wrap. Meiotic division and the two divisions, reduction and equatorial, and the respective phases. Differences and similarities between the meiotic and mitotic process. Biological meaning of meiosis
K. Gametogenesis and Fertilization. Male gametogenesis. Female gametogenesis. Comparison of the two processes. Fertilization mechanism
Methodology
Directed Teaching
Theory lecture. Classroom practices. Laboratory practices. Specialized seminars
Supervised Teaching
Problem based learning
Autonomous Teaching
Personal study. Elaboration of works
ATENTION: The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| THEORY (TE) / CLASSICAL PRACTICES (PAUL) / LABORATORY PRACTICES (PLAB) / SPECIALIZED SEMINARS (SESP) | 53 | 2.12 | 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 2, 8, 7, 9, 14, 13, 11, 12, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING (ABP) | 23 | 0.92 | 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 2, 8, 7, 9, 14, 13, 11, 12, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| DEVELOPMENT OF WORK / PERSONAL STUDY | 69 | 2.76 | 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 2, 8, 7, 9, 14, 13, 11, 12, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18 |
Assessment
Continued evaluation
The continuous assessment of the subject consists of two partial exams of combined content (42% and 48% respectively of the final mark) and of two examinations of laboratory practices (5% and 5% respectively of the final mark).
The first part (42% of the final mark) is an objective test that evaluates the following contents: i) Theory of the first topics (from A to D and cytosol) (32%), ii) the first two Seminars (5 %) and iii) the first session of Laboratory Practices (5%).
The second part (48% of the final mark) is an objective test that evaluates the following contents: i) Theory of the last topics (from E, except cytosol, to K) (38%) and ii) the last three Seminars (10%).
The two laboratory practice tests (5% and 5% of the final grade, respectively) will assess participation and knowledge acquired. The tests include questions strictly related to the performed practical activity in laboratory sessions 2 and 3. These tests will be performed at the end of each of the two indicated sessions and are not recoverable.
The mark of the subject is obtained by adding the weighted marks of the two partial exams and the two laboratory practice exams. To pass the subject it will be necessary that the marks of the two partial exams are equal or superior to 5 and obtain an overall note equal or superior to 5 out of 10.
Retake exam
If a student has not passed the subject in the continuous assessment process, he /she can take a retake exam. To participate in the makeup exam, the student must be previously assessed in a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to a minimum of two thirds of the total grade of the subject. Grades equal to or greater than 5, obtained in the previous partial exams, will be taken into account for the final calculation.
The retake exam consists of two parts:
Part 1of the retake exam (42% of the final mark) is an objective test that evaluates the following contents: i) Theory of the first subjects (from A to D and cytosol) (32%), ii) , the first two Seminars (5%) and iii) the first session of Laboratory Practices (5%).
Part 2 of the retake exam (48% of the final mark) is an objective test that evaluates the following contents: i) Theory (38%) of the last subjects (from E, except Cytosol, to K), ii) the last three Seminars (10%).
Students who have passed only one of the two partials will be able to be examined only from the corresponding part of the suspended part.
The final mark of the subject retake will be the sum of the weighted mark of the retake exam plus the weighted marks of the two practice tests. In the event that a student has passed a partial one, this mark, correspondingly weighted, will be taken into account for the calculation of the mark of the retake exam.
Students who wish to improve their grade have the option of taking part or all of the retake exam. You must ask the coordinator of the subject in advance. The grade obtained in the continuous assessment will be replaced by the grade obtained in the retake exam.
The date and time of the revisions of the midterm exams and the retake exam will be announced immediately upon the publication of the marks.
The subject will be graded as "non-assessable" when the student has not taken any of the midterm or retake exams.
ATENTION: Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by healthauthorities.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice: written assessments through test essays of restricted questions and objective tests of multiple choice items | 15% | 1 | 0.04 | 6, 5, 9, 14, 13, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 |
| Seminars: evaluations written through objective tests of multiple choice items | 15% | 1 | 0.04 | 1, 3, 5, 2, 9, 13, 12, 15, 16, 17 |
| Theory: evaluations written through objective tests: multiple choice items | 70% | 3 | 0.12 | 6, 5, 4, 8, 7, 14, 13, 11, 12, 10, 15, 17 |
Bibliography
BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 - "Biología Molecular de la Célula". Alberts y col. 6ª edición. Ed. Omega. Barcelona, 2016
2 - "Molecular Biology of the Cell". Alberts et al. 6th edition. Garland Sciences. New York, 2015
3 - "La Célula". Cooper y Hausman. 7ª edición. Ed. Marbán Libros S.L. Madrid, 2017
4 - "The Cell". Cooper & Hausman 7th edition, Sinauer Associetes (Oxford University Press), 2017
5 - "Introducción a la Biología Celular". Alberts y col. 3ª ed. Ed. Médica Panamericana. Madrid, 2010
6 - "Biología Celular Biomédica" Calvo A. Elsevier. Barcelona, 2015
9 - "The World of the Cell". Becker et al. 7th edition. Pearson. San Francisco, 2008
INTERNET RESOURCES
- Books: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=Books
- Open access review articles and accessible review articles from the computers of the UAB Network. (If you are outside the campus, through the ARE service, Access to Electronic Resources service)
Software
There is no need for any specific software