Unit FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOLOGY
- Course
- Earth science and environment
- Study-unit Code
- GP000943
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Livia Lucentini
- Teachers
-
- Livia Lucentini
- Hours
- 42 ore - Livia Lucentini
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2026
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Affine/integrativa
- Area
- Attività formative affini o integrative
- Sector
- BIOS-04/A
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- italian
- Contents
- Structure and function of eukaryotic cell and main tissues. Molecules and macromolecules of biological interest: water, protein, nucleic acids, lipids, ..Protein synthesis, cells communication, mitosis and meiosis. Mendel. Tissues structure and ultrastructure.
Principal tissues. Introduction to vertebrates. The comparative study of vertebrate features respect to 1) sensorial and nervous systems 2) integumentary and skeletal systems; 3) the metabolism processes: the digestive system and the feeding, the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system; - Reference texts
- Helena Curtis, N Sue Barnes, Adriana Schnek, Alicia Massarini
Invito alla Biologia
Cellula - Genetica - Evoluzione - Animali – Piante - Educational objectives
- Structure and function of eukaryotic cell and main tissues. Anatomical, functional and molecular groundings to understand the biology and evolution of vertebrates.
- Prerequisites
- Nd
- Teaching methods
- frontal lessons
- Other information
- Attendance is strongly recommended
- Learning verification modality
- Knowledge will be assessed through a written test administered via the Libreol platform, supplemented by an oral examination.
The written test consists of 33 questions with closed-ended responses, open-ended responses, and image analysis tasks.
The examination procedures are described in detail in a file available on Unistudium and uploaded annually approximately one month before the beginning of classes.
The file is presented during the first lecture and explained in detail. It describes and details the procedures for the written test and the conditions for taking the oral examination.
For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD), visit the following page: University of Perugia – Disability and SLD Services - Extended program
- Cell principal characteristics. Cell morphology. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Animal cell vs vegetal cell. Cellular constituents: water, amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates. Genetic code. RNA. Protein synthesis. Cellular membrane. Cytoplasm. Cytoskeleton. Cellular signalling. Autotroph and heterotroph organisms. ATP. Mitochondria. Nucleus. Cellular cycle. Mitosis. Structure, ultrastructure and function of the following tissues: epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous.
Basics of Comparative Anatomy: form, function, evolution.
Characteristics of chordates. Origin, phylogenesis and systematics of vertebrates.
Comparative Embryology of vertebrates.
Integumentary system: general organization, embryological derivation, epidermis-dermis interactions, epidermis and its derivatives, dermis and its derivatives, receptor organs, pigment cells.
Skeletal system: skeletal tissues, direct and indirect ossification.
a) Axial skeleton. Skull ontogenesis and organization. Relationships and evolution of neurocranium, splanchnocranium and dermatocranium. Notochord. Vertebral column ontogenesis and evolution. Vertebral column regionalization of aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. Sternum and ribs.
b) Appendicular skeleton. Shoulder and pelvic girdles. Fish paired fins. Phylogenesis and structure of the tetrapod limb.
Respiratory system: ontogenesis of the organs and the airways. Structure and functional characteristics of vertebrate gills and lungs. Phylogenetic relationships between swimming bladder and lungs.
Circulatory system: single and double circulations. Hemopoiesis: blood; structure of vertebrate lymphoid and mieloid organs. Morphogenesis, structure and evolution of heart and aortic arches. Lymphatic system.
Digestive system: ontogenesis. The oral cavity and the mechanisms for feeding. Phylogenesis, microscopic anatomy and function of digestive organs.
Nervous system: ontogenesis and organization of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Structure, connections and function of
vertebrate central nervous system organs. Peripheral nervous system: cranial and spinal nerve. Autonomic nervous system.