Cellular Biology

Objectives

1. Recognize the cell as an organized and polymorphic entity

2. Identify the differentiation process based on cellular functional specialization

3. Understand the relationship between cell’s ultrastructural organization and functional diversity

4. Recognize the cell as the headquarters of all the metabolic activity of the organism

5. Integrate knowledge on the microscopic structure of the nervous, muscular and endocrine systems.

Program

Theoretical classes’ contents:

Introduction (the chemical basis of life; the cell as a functional unit of life and levels of biological organization).

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (cellular components; basic cellular functions).

Cycle and cell division (growth, proliferation and apoptosis; Mitosis and Meiosis).

Biological membranes (general structure and specialization of the cell membrane).

Cell transport, use and conversion of energy in cells (cellular respiration and anabolism and catabolism).

Muscle fibre

Nervous system cells (neurons and nerve glial cells and histophysiologic organization and structure of the nervous system).

Practical Classes:

Optical microscopy.

The morphological diversity of animal cells.

Observation of mitosis and meiosis.

Production of gametes (oogenesis and spermatogenesis).

Observation of specialized cells and tissues (gametes, muscle fibers, nervous system, endocrine glands).

Blood tissue and membrane transport.

Teaching Methodologies

The theoretical component is expository. The practical component includes two kinds of activities: i) laboratory work for which protocols are available on the e-learning platform, ii) tutorial sessions on the preparation of a theoretical and practical paper. It is intended to help students consolidate knowledge on their research topic, help them collect new references beyond the scientific article initially available, check on the depth of students’ investigation, assessing accuracy of language and focus on essential over accessory. Finally, these meetings allow the teacher to carry out continuous evaluation of the individual performance of students.

Bibliography

ALBERTS, B., et al., 2002. Mollecular biology of the cell. Garland Science, New York, 4th ed.

AZEVEDO, C., 2005. Biologia celular e molecular. LIDEL- Edições Técnicas Lda., Lisboa, 4ª ed.

FAWCETT, D. W. and R. P. JENSH, 2002. Bloom and Fawcett’s Concise Histology. Oxford University Press, New York.

JUNQUEIRA, L. C. and J. CARNEIRO, 2002. Basic histology : text & atlas. Lange Medical Books McGraw-Hill, New-York.

LEHNINGER, A. L., 1997. Bioquímica: Componentes moleculares das células. Editora Edgard Blucher Ltda, Volume 1. SP Brasil.