Unit

GENERAL BIOLOGY

Code	GP000527
CFU	6
Teacher	Cinzia Antognelli
Teachers	Cinzia Antognelli
Hours	42 ore - Cinzia Antognelli
Learning activities	Base
Area	Discipline biologiche e morfologiche
Sector	BIOS-10/A
Type of study-unit	Opzionale (Optional)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Characteristics of living organisms. Biological macromolecules. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Viruses (general overview). Information flow in living matter (gene expression) and its regulation. The cell cycle and its control. Mutations. Reproduction of multicellular organisms: meiosis and gametogenesis. Introduction to tissue biology.
Reference texts	McGraw-Hill; P. Bonaldo, S. Suga, R. Pierantoni, P. Riva, M.G. Romanelli – Biology and Genetics – EdiSES. R. Roberti, G. Alunni Bistocchi, C. Antognelli, V.N. Talesa – Biochemistry and Biology for Health Professions.
Educational objectives	To provide the foundational knowledge necessary to approach the study of more complex basic disciplines (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology). The main competencies acquired will concern the integrated study of the cell and living organisms, with particular focus on: molecular mechanisms involved in the biogenesis of organelles and cellular structures, interactions between cells and between cells and the extracellular environment, duplication, transmission and expression of genetic information, and cellular proliferation.
Prerequisites	To provide students with the foundational knowledge needed to successfully engage with more advanced basic sciences such as Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Pharmacology. The primary learning outcomes will focus on the integrated study of cells and living organisms, with particular emphasis on: the molecular mechanisms involved in the biogenesis of organelles and cellular structures, cell-to-cell and cell–extracellular environment interactions, the duplication, transmission, and expression of genetic information, and cellular proliferation.
Teaching methods	Lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations featuring images and animations (including video clips). Attendance is strongly recommended in order to facilitate learning and ensure effective and meaningful student training.
Other information	Instructor’s Office: Department of Medicine and Surgery – Building B, 4th floor – P.le L. Severi 1 – Sant'Andrea delle Fratte – Perugia. Student Office Hours: The instructor is always available to meet with students upon request via email (cinzia.antognelli@unipg.it).
Learning verification modality	The exam consists of a final written test (multiple-choice questions requiring reasoning). The test includes 60 questions, each with 5 answer options, only one of which is correct. The duration of the exam is 60 minutes. One point is awarded for each correct answer; incorrect or unanswered questions receive 0 points. The exam as a whole is designed to assess the student’s knowledge and understanding of the course content. Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and/or disabilities are entitled to the compensatory and/or dispensatory measures provided by current legislation and the University of Perugia regulations. For information about support services for students with disabilities and/or DSA, visit the page http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa.
Extended program	Characteristics of living organisms. Biological macromolecules: proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates (overview). Cellular organization models: prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Viruses: general overview. Animal eukaryotic cell. Plasma membrane: structure and functions, with particular focus on transport mechanisms and cell communication; cytoplasm; ribosomes; smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum; Golgi apparatus; lysosomes; peroxisomes; mitochondria and the energy problem; cytoskeleton (overview); nucleus and nucleolus. DNA and RNA: structure and function. Chromatin organization, chromosomes. Eukaryotic gene. Gene expression: transcription, processing of primary transcripts, genetic code, translation. Regulation of gene expression: overview. Cell cycle: interphase, DNA replication, mitosis. Cell cycle regulation: checkpoints and CdK-cyclin complexes. Proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Gene mutations (point mutations: missense, silent, nonsense, neutral), genomic mutations (aneuploidy and polyploidy), and chromosomal mutations (deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation). Normal and pathological human karyotype. X chromosome inactivation (heterochromatinization). Reproduction of multicellular organisms; meiosis and its significance, male and female gametogenesis. Introduction to tissue biology.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	3. Health and Well-being – 4. Quality Education

Code	65002805
CFU	6
Teacher	Maria Carla Marcotullio
Teachers	Maria Carla Marcotullio
Hours	42 ore - Maria Carla Marcotullio
Learning activities	Base
Area	Discipline biologiche e morfologiche
Sector	BIOS-01/D
Type of study-unit	Opzionale (Optional)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	General structure and functions of the plants. Secondary metabolites from plants. Extraction methods. Quality control of medicinal plants and derived products, by macroscopical, microscopical and chemical analysis.
Reference texts	F. Poli, Biologia Farmaceutica, Pearson, 2019. Maugini E., Manuale di Botanica Farmaceutica, Piccin, 1994; Stern, Bidlack, Jansky-Introduzione alla Biologia Vegetale-McGraw-Hill; TL Rost, MG Barbour, CR Stocking, TM Murphy, Biologia delle piante, Ed. Zanichelli 2008. F. Poli, Biologia Farmaceutica, Pearson, 2019. A. Rapisarda. Biologia delle piante medicinali, Utet, 2021 For the Quality control: NOTES FROM LECTURES. DIDACTICAL MATERIAL DISTRIBUTED DURING LESSONS. EVERY BOOK REPORTING THE TOPICS OF THE COURSE European Pharmacopeia
Educational objectives	To teach basic knowledge about plant structure and biosynthetic processes. To teach how to perform quality control tests according to monographs
Prerequisites	To effectively follow and understand the topics covered in pharmaceutical botany, a student must have a basic knowledge of chemistry, as it is normally acquired in high school. Furthermore, following the teachings of Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry will be of great help. This basic knowledge are verified at the beginning of the academic year by a specific test.
Teaching methods	PowerPoint presentations. A PDF copy of each presentation will be available to students on the Unistudium Learning Platform.
Other information	The frequency of the course is not mandatory, but advised.
Learning verification modality	Oral exam with an interview of about 30 minutes. Generally, the candidate will be asked to present a topic in plant biology, one in phytochemistry, and to comment on a monograph of the European Pharmacopeia. For information on support services for students with disabilities, visit the page http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa.
Extended program	Notions of Plant Biology: Structure of the plant cell and description of the characteristic structures that differentiate it from the animal cell (wall, plastids and vacuole), Main plant tissues (parenchyma, covering tissues, secretory tissue and conductive tissue); Organ anatomy and Morphology of the different organs (leaf, stem, root, flower and fruit). Notions of quality control of plant drugs: knowing how to read the monographs of plant drugs in the European Pharmacopeia. Notions of phytochemistry: classes of primary and secondary metabolites, extraction methods and chemical recognition assays—photosynthesis and transport of photosynthates.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	Health and wellness