1. Introduction to the fundamental characteristics of living matter: in particular to know how to describe
-The general characteristics of the various living organisms
-The levels of biological organization
-The need for the existence of a flow of intracellular information between cells and between multicellular individuals.
-The theory of evolution as a unifying concept of biology.
-The importance in the biology of the hierarchical organization (classification system)
-The need for a continuous supply of energy in biological systems.
-The importance of acquiring a scientific method.
2. Fundamental characteristics of the atoms and molecules that form the basis of the chemistry of life. In particular, to be able to describe:
-Carbon atoms and organic molecules.
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
-The proteins
- Nucleic acids
-The identification of biological molecules
3. Fundamental characteristics of the cellular organization. In particular, to be able to describe:
-The importance of cell theory.
-The study methods of cellular structure.
-The differences and similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
-Structure and function of the membrane nucleus and organelles.
- Structure and function of the cytoskeleton.
-Structure and function of the extracellular matrix.
4. Basic features of biological membranes. In particular, to be able to describe:
-The structure of biological membranes
-The functions of membrane proteins
- The permeability of the membrane
- Passive and active transport mechanisms.
- Exocytosis and endocytosis
-the role and the various forms of junctions between cells.
5. Key features of cellular communication. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Send signals
-Receiving
-Transduction of the signal
- Responses to signals
-The evolution of cellular communication.
6. Fundamental characteristics of the study of energy applied to metabolism. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Organic work
-The laws of thermodynamics
-Energy and Metabolism
-The ATP
-The structure and functions of enzymes.
7. The synthesis of ATP in cells. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Redox reactions
-The four stages of Aerobic Breathing
-The energy yield of nutrients other than glucose
- Anaerobic respiration and fermentation
8. Chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Eukaryotic chromosomes
-The cell cycle and mitosis
-The regulation of the cell cycle
- Sexual reproduction and meiosis
9. DNA as a depository molecule of genetic information. In particular, to be able to describe:
-The evidence that DNA is the hereditary material
- The DNA structure
- DNA replication
10. Gene expression. In particular, to be able to describe:
- Discovery of the gene-protein relationship.
-The flow of information from DNA to proteins: general
- The transcription
-Translation
- Mutations
-The variations of gene expression
11. Gene regulation. In particular, to be able to describe:
-Generality
-Gene regulation in prokaryotic cells
-Gene regulation in eukaryotic cells
12. Fundamental characteristics and the differences between living systems. In particular, to be able to describe:
-Viruses and subviral agents
- Virus Structure
- Virus classification
- Viral replication
- Viral diseases
- Virus Evolution
- Subviral agents
13. Bacteria and archaeabacteria
-The structure of bacteria and archaeobacteria
- Reproduction and evolution of prokaryotes
- Nutritional and metabolic adaptations
-The phylogeny of the two domains of prokaryotes
-The impact of the procarities on ecology, technology and commerce.
- Bacteria and diseases