Overview
Aims
Mastery of terminology specific to cellular and molecular biology, with initiation into medical terminology
Knowledge of normal structure and function of human cells
Understanding of cellular communication and correlation mechanisms
Course contents
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Classification of the living world by cellular organization; general characteristics of animal eukaryotic cells – 4h
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Extracellular matrix; molecular biology of cell membranes – 4h
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Cell membrane functions: adhesion, intercellular signaling, transmembrane transport and macrotransport – 4h
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Cytoplasm as the site of cellular metabolic processes; motility organelles (cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, microvilli, pseudopodia); organelles of energy production (mitochondria) – 4h
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Cellular synthesis and secretion (ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus); intracellular digestion (lysosomes); detoxification via H2O2 (peroxisomes) – 4h
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Cell cycle; interphase nucleus; functions of the interphase nucleus and the central dogma of molecular biology – 4h
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Cellular development: proliferation, differentiation, ageing and cell death; cellular biology of apoptosis – 4h
Learning outcomes
Course objective: mastery of terminology and of cellular morphology (light microscopy), ultrastructural organization (electron microscopy) and molecular organization of cell components; understanding structure–function relationships and their alteration; direct and long-distance intercellular relations (adhesion, signaling); cellular reproduction and development (proliferation, differentiation, ageing and cell death), all with direct reference to human medical study
Assessment
Course:Knowledge volume/Scientific rigor of language/Content organization/Creativity