2010-2011 academic year
Cellular Biology (20396)
Qualification/course: bachelor's degree in Medicine
Year: first
Term: third
Number of ECTS credits: 8 credits
Student commitment: 200 hours
Teaching language or languages: Catalan and Spanish
Teaching staff: the subject coordinator is Pura Muñoz-Cánoves
1. Introduction to the subject
The subject coordinator is Pura Muñoz-Cánoves.
The theory content has been grouped in three teaching modules, which are taught by the following lecturers:
I. Foundations of the structure and organisation of the eukaryotic cell:
Francesc X. Real
II. Cytology: general organisation of specialised cells and animal tissues:
Antonio Serrano and Pura Muñoz-Cánoves
III. Vegetable cytology:
Jaume Ferrer
The practical session coordinator is Antonio Serrano. Also participating will be: Mònica Zamora, Esther Ardite, Vanesa Ruiz-Bonilla and other guest lecturers.
The theoretical research project coordinator is Pura Muñoz-Cánoves. The project tutors are Antonio Serrano and Mónica Zamora.
2. Competences to be acquired
-Understand the general structure, organisation and functions of eukaryote cells.
-Understand the diversity of animal cells, and the relationship between morphology, structure and functionality.
-Understand the general structure and functions of vegetable cells, and their main differences from animals cells.
- Learn to use an optical microscope correctly. Learn the various types of microscopy and their applications for the study of cells.
-Learn the main methods of cell cultivation.
3. Contents
THEORY SYLLABUS
Subjects 1 and 2
Introduction to the subject. Objectives, contents and requirements. (2 hours)
I. Foundations of the structure and organisation of the eukaryotic cell
Subject 3
Plasma membrane as a mediator between the internal and external environment. Cell-cell and cell-matrix junctions. Functional classification of intercellular junctions. Tight junctions. Adherens junction. Desmosomes. Gap junctions. Cell-matrix junctions. Temporary cell junctions. (1.5 hours)
Subject 4
The extracellular matrix. Components of the extracellular matrix: structural proteoglycans and glycoproteins. Collagen fibers: structure and biosynthesis; types and distribution. Reticulin and elastin. Functional integration. The basal lamina: morphology, structure and function. (1.5 hours)
Subject 5
The cytoskeleton. General organisation of the cytoskeleton. Microtubules and microtubuluar dynamics. Microtubule-organising centres: centrioles, basal bodies, centrosomes. Microtubular dynamics. Actin microfilaments: organisation and dynamics. Intermediate filaments: classification and organisation. Specialised microtubule and microfilament formations: cilia, flagella and microvilli. Cell motility. (3 hours)
Subject 6
Endomembrane systems. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Membrane biosynthesis. The rough endoplasmic reticulum: ribosomes and protein synthesis. The Golgi complex: structural and functional compartmentalisation; glycosylation. Intracellular vesicles. Endocytosis and membrane recycling. The endosomal compartment. The lysosomes. (3 hours)
Subject 7
Mitochondria and peroxisomes. Structure and function of mitochondria: bases of electronic transport. Biogenesis of mitochondria. Mitochondrial DNA. Peroxisomes: structure, composition and function. Biogenesis of peroxisomes. (1 hour)
Subject 8
The nucleus in interface. The nucleoid and nucleus. Organisation of genetic material: chromatin. General structure of the genome: encoding regions, non-encoding DNA. Type of RNAs. The nucleolus: structure and function. The biogenesis of ribosomes. (1.5 hours)
Subject 9
The nucleus-cytoplasm relationship. The nuclear envelope. The nuclear lamina. The nuclear matrix. Transport mechanisms from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. The nuclear pore. Bidirectional transport. Nuclear compartmentalisation. (1.5 hours)
Subject 10
Cell growth and division. Types of cell division. The eukaryote cell cycle. Regulation of cell division. Cycle control points. Mitosis. Integration of division with cell functionality: differentiation. (3 hours)
II. Cytology: general organisation of specialised cells and animal tissues
Subject 11
Cytological characteristics of epilethial tissue. Concept of epithelium. Types of epithelium. Classification of the different epithelial tissues. Surface epilethia: morphological characteristics of the cells in various surface epilethia with functional correlation. Relations with the stroma. The external lamina and basal membrane. Differential characteristics of cytoplasm. Glandular epilethia: type of secretion. Morphological characteristics of cells secreting mucins, peptides and steroids with functional correlation. Embryological- histogenetic correlation of glandular and surface epilethia. (3 hours)
Subject 12
Characteristics of cells and the intercellular matrix of connective tissue. Adipose tissue cells. Connective tissue: functional, embryological and histogenetic concept. Morphological and functional characteristics of the cellular components of connective tissue: fibroblast, fibrocyte, myofibroblast, macrophage and mastocyte. Interstitial components of the various types of extracellular matrix and functional correlation. The endolethial cells and pericyte. Interaction of connective tissue with the epithelium and with the blood and lymphatic vessels. Adipose tissue: morphological concept, embryological origin and histogenesis. Adipocytes in the white and brown adipose tissue: morphological and functional correlation in different situations. (2 hours)
Subject 13
Characteristics cells and the intercellular matrix of cartilage tissue and bone tissue. Cellular components of cartilage: chondrocyte, chondroblast, perichondral cells. Characteristics of the extracellular matrix of the various types of cartilage. Cellular components of bone tissue: osteoprogenitor cells, periosteal cells, osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts. Interstitial components of bone tissue: organic and inorganic matrix. Cytological characteristics of the formation and mineralisation of the bone matrix. (2 hours)
Subject 14
Cytological characteristics of the central nervous system. Embryology, histogenesis and general organisation. Neurons: morphological characteristics of the soma and the various extensions with functional correlation. The synapse: types and morphological characteristics. Type of central glial cells: morphological characteristics and functional correlation. Formation of myelin in the central nervous system. Neuropil. Grey matter and white matter. Cytological characteristics of the blood-brain barrier. (2 hours)
Subject 15
Cytological characteristics of the peripheral nervous system. Characteristics of cells in rachidian ganglia, sympathetic and parasympathetic vegetative ganglia. Schwann cells. Formation of myelin in the peripheral nervous system. Myelinic and amyelinic nerve fibres. Relationship with connective tissue. (1 hour)
Subject 16
Cytological characteristics of muscle tissue. Embryological origin and histogenesis of the various types of muscle tissues. Skeletal striated muscle: molecular and cytological characteristics and their functional correlation with their role in muscle contraction. Cytological characteristics of the neuromuscular synapse. Cardiac striated muscle: differential characteristics with skeletal muscle. Smooth muscle. (2 hours)
Subject 17
Cell differentiation model systems. Cell differentiation. Concept. Differentiation markers. The muscular model in vitro. Transdifferentiation. Differentiated phenotypic plasticity. Physiopathological implications. (2 hours)
Subject 18
Stem cells. Embryo stem cells. Stem cells in adult tissues: identification and properties. Reprogramming of somatic cells. Therapeutic implications: cell therapy. (2 hours)
Subject 19
The biology of cell ageing (2 hours).
III. Vegetable cytology
Subject 20
Plastids. Types, chloroplasts and amyloplasts. Location and functions. (1 hour)
Subject 21
Endomembrane system. Vacuoles. Reserves. (1 hour)
Subject 22
Vegetable cytoskeleton. Microtubular sections. Vegetable actomyosin. (1 hour)
Subject 23
Cell wall. Composition and formation. Primary and secondary wall. (1 hour)
PRACTICAL SYLLABUS
The practical classes are divided into three modules:
Module I. Learning to use the microscope
Objectives
Practical knowledge of use of the optical microscope and electron microscope. Processing of samples for observation under the optical microscope and the electron microscope. When this practical module ends, students must be able to observe any type of preparation under an optical microscope.
Practical sessions
1. Knowledge of the use and mechanics of an optical microscope and the usual techniques for processing tissues.
2. Knowledge of the use and mechanics of the electron microscope.
3. Knowledge and performance of basic staining techniques in cytology. Observation under the microscope and interpretation of the results.
Module IIa. Cell cultivation
Objectives
Theoretical and practical grounding in the experimental process (cell cultivation). The experimental process is based on preparation of the practical material by means of which students acquire basic knowledge of cell cultivation, which will subsequently enable them to analyse various biological processes (cell proliferation, cell-cell contact inhibition and cell migration).
Practical sessions
4. Students will learn to cultivate cells in vitro. They will study the basic knowledge of cell cultivation: sterile conditions, thawing of cells.
5. Cubculture of adherent cells for analysis of cell proliferation and migration.
6. Analysis of cell proliferation and the concepts of serum requirements, substrate adhesion and contact inhibition.
7. Analysis of cell migration using the wound-healing technique and freezing cells.
8. Analysis of data and discussion of results.
Module IIb. Cell types in animal tissues
Objectives
Knowledge of the different cell types present in animal tissues. Learning the specific staining techniques for viewing and identification of different tissues using the optical microscope.
Practical sessions
The practical classes are programmed for after the theory class on a specific tissue. They consist of studying various tissues under the microscope. The following aspects will be covered:
9. Epilethial tissue.
10. Connective tissue. Adipose tissue.
11. Cartilage tissue. Bone tissue.
12. Nerve tissue.
13. Muscle tissue.
14. General review of specialised cells.
There will be a practical session for each group of 15 people.
Theoretical research project (TRP)
A theoretical research work, related to the contents of the programme will be discussed at the beginning of the course. Students will be divided into working groups and during the various sessions for bibliography search, discussion and results sharing, they will produce the work that they will present to the class at the end of the term. A session with the various groups will be organised to cover possible doubts and guide students before the oral exposition.
SEMINARS
1. Identification of Cub-Cellular Organelles Using Lectins and Antibodies.
Xavier Sanjuan (Scientific-technical services, UPF)
2. Role of the Centrosomes in Asymmetrical Division.
Elena Rebollo (Cellular Biology and Development Department, IRB/PCB)
4. Assessment
Assessment of the activity will be based on the specific objectives for the subject.
a) Assessment methods
Assessment will take place by means of multiple choice tests (MPT, 5 alternatives, 1 correct answer, random correct answers discounted, and essay tests, mostly consisting of short answers with objective correction criteria.
b) Type and number of assessments
There will be three types of assessment: formative, continuing and certifying assessment.
1. There will be a formative evaluation during the course (with a small positive impact on the final mark if passed). This assessment will consist of answering a series of MPT questions and essay tests. There will subsequently be a review session of the test result.
2. During the course there will be a continuing assessment with a small number of questions on various teaching activities (practical sessions, seminars and other activities such as the discussion of scientific research articles related to the contents of the subject syllabus) and the theoretical research project (TRP).
3. The final theory assessment will take place at the end of the teaching process, and will consist of a multiple choice test with questions on the subjects covered and an essay test with short questions. There will also be a final test on the planned objectives for the practical sessions.
c) Impact of the various types of assessment on the final certifiying mark
Final theory assessment
-MCT: 30%
-Essay: 35%
-Practical test: 5%
Continuing assessment during the course
-Contents of practical sessions: 6%
-Contents of seminars: 4%
-Theoretical research project: 12%
-Contents of research articles: 8%
Passing the formative evaluations undertaken during the course entails an improvement on the final accrediting mark (a maximum of 0.5 points; 0.25 points after passing the test with 5 points out of of 10).
d) Pass criteria and qualititative grades
To pass this activity, students must participate in the programmed activities, and obtain an overall mark of at least 5.
Passing 70% of the objectives leads to a Good mark and passing 90% of the objectives leads to an Excellent mark.
5. Bibliography and teaching resources
5.1. Basic bibliography
The main books for the subject are as follows:
COOPER, G. M.; HAUSMAN, R. E. The Cell. A molecular approach. Washington D.C. and Sunderland,
ALBERTS, B. et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 5th ed. New York: Garland, 2008.
LODISH, H. et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 6th ed. New York: W.H. Freeman and company, 2007.
MA: ASM Press and Sinauer Associates, 2006.
FERRER, J. Las células de los tejidos vegetales. Vedrà: 1997.
GARTNER, L. P.; HIATT, J. L. Histología. Texto y atlas. Mexico: McGraw-Hill Interamericana, 2002.
We advise consulting (updated) reviews of specific subject areas in the following scientific journals:
-Trends in Cell Biology
-Trends in Biochemical Sciences
-Current Opinion in Cell Biology
-Nature Reviews Molecular and Cellular Biology
6. Methodology
Various teaching activities are planned during the course, which students must undertake as a requirement for passing the subject.
The activities planned during the teaching process are as follows:
a) Lectures
Although the lecturer will provide the content in lectures, students' participation will be encouraged. After each classroom session, students will have access via the Virtual Classroom to various documentation on the topics covered and the contents of the specific objectives of each subject. As well as the information provided by the lecturer, group discussion will take place in class time, and the scheduled assessment will take place and their results discussed.
b) Seminars
Two seminars will be programmed during the course, taught by recognised experts in the applied and research material related to the contents of the subject programme. The content of the seminars is subject to assessment.
c) Practical sessions
Various practical sessions will take place during the term, the content of which will be assessed at the end of each practical session and during the examination period.
d) Self-directed learning activities
These activities involve a basic understanding of research articles related to the contents of the subject and the production a theoretical research project in groups which includes bibliographical search activities and a public presentation of the results. Self-access learning activities take place with tutorial support and are liable to assessment.
e) Assessment of learning
The schedule assessments (formative, continuing and acceditaive assessment) will take place during the course and within the established timetable.
7. Programme of activities
The programme of activities in the subject is included in the Faculty's official timetable.