Biology

At the end of the course of Biology, students are expected to be able to solve qualitative and quantitative problems according to previously developed models, recognize and analyze new problems and plan strategies to develop them, and relate biology to other disciplines.

Molecular foundations of life; characteristics and organization of living matter. Chemical components of cells. Functional organization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Introduction to bioenergetics and metabolism. Storage and transmission of genetic information. Cell cycle and cell division. Basic concepts of genetics.

Theoretical and interactive content (26 lectures and 8 seminars)

TOPIC 1- An introduction to cellular biology (1 lecture).
Sense of the topic: This first topic brings together basic notions to understand a subject such as Biology and its importance for a Chemistry student.
Epigraphs: The relationship between Chemistry and Biology at the scientific, technical and professional level. Unity and diversity of cells. Structure and organization of viruses, prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. Model organisms. Microscopy basics.
Activities to carry out: In a seminar after the lectures (Seminar 1), the students will solve questionnaires on related topics, doubts can be consulted and representative microscopy images from different model organisms will be shown on screen.

TOPIC 2- Chemical components of the cell (5 lectures).
Sense of the topic: This issue is fundamental for the understanding of the subject, since it deals with the study of various biomolecules from a chemical point of view, and its function in the cells.
Epigraphs: Chemical bonds. Biomolecules – sugars, nucleotides and amino acids. The structure and function of proteins. Lipids and biological membranes.
Activities to carry out: Exercises on biomolecules. In the seminar corresponding to this topic (Seminar 2), students will solve individually a series of questions related to this topic.

TOPIC 3- Organization of eukaryotic cells (1 lectures).
Sense of the topic: this topic presents the internal organization of eukaryotic cells.
Epigraphs: Eukaryotic cells: animal and plant cells. Cytosol and organelles. The intracellular membrane system. Cellular communities: tissues.
Activities to carry out: Do the exercises specified by the teacher. Possible questions will be solved at a subsequent seminar (Seminar 3).

TOPIC 4- Membrane structure and transport (1 lecture).
Sense of the topic: The cell membranes are structures with protection and isolation functions, but at the same time allow the exchange of information and substances with the outside and among the different organelles.
Epigraphs: Principles of membrane transport. Transporters and their functions. Ion channels and the membrane potential. Vesicular transport.
Activities to carry out: Do the exercises specified by the teacher. Possible questions will be solved at a subsequent seminar (Seminar 3).

TOPIC 5- Cytoskeleton (1 lecture).
Sense of the topic: It is the last theme dedicated to the structure and cellular functions and explains the intracellular filament network that eukaryotic cells require to adopt its characteristic shape, organize their organelles and perform movements.
Epigraphs: Intermediate filaments. Microtubules. Actin filaments.
Activities to carry out: Do the exercises specified by the teacher. Possible questions will be solved at a subsequent seminar (Seminar 3).

TOPIC 6- Introduction to bioenergetics and metabolism (3 lectures).
Sense of the topic: Any process that takes place in a cell consumes or produces energy: in this topic, the main processes from which cells obtain energy are summarized.
Epigraphs: Bioenergetics. How cells get energy from food: Decomposition of sugars and fats. Storage and use of food. Mitochondria and oxidative phosphorylation. Electron transport chains and proton pumping. Chloroplasts and photosynthesis.
Activities to carry out: In the corresponding seminar (Seminar 4), students will prepare and solve exercises in the classroom.

TOPIC 7- DNA and genomes (2 lectures).
Sense of the topic: With this topic, we start a section focused on the study of genes, genomes and the flow of genetic information; this topic explains the structure and organization of the genetic material.
Epigraphs: The structure and function of DNA. Storage of genetic information in different organisms. The nucleus: nuclear membrane, nucleoplasm and genetic material. The structure and packaging of eukaryotic chromosomes.
Activities to carry out: Do the exercises specified by the teacher. Possible questions will be solved at a subsequent seminar (Seminar 5).

TOPIC 8- DNA replication and repair (3 lectures).
Sense of the topic: The correct transmission of genetic information from generation to generation and the repair of the damage suffered by the DNA are essential for the maintenance of life.
Epigraphs: DNA replication: proteins and general mechanism. Telomerase. Mutations and DNA repair.
Activities to carry out: In the corresponding seminar (Seminar 5), students will prepare and solve exercises in the classroom.

TOPIC 9- Transcription: from DNA to RNA (2 lectures).
Sense of the topic: The expression of the genetic information stored in the genome of the cells allows them to perform cellular functions: the first of these processes is explained here.
Epigraphs: Types of RNA. Mechanism of transcription. mRNA processing in eukaryotic cells.
Activities to carry out: In Seminar 6 there will be exercises on this subject and in Seminar 7 an individual test over topics 9 and 10 will be held.

TOPIC 10- Translation: from RNA to proteins (2 lectures).
Sense of the topic: The main responsible for carrying out the instructions contained in the DNA are proteins, whose process of synthesis is presented in this issue.
Epigraphs: The genetic code. Amino acid-tRNA coupling. Ribosomes and the mechanism of translation. Protein processing and degradation.
Activities to carry out: In Seminar 6 there will be exercises on this subject and in Seminar 7 an individual test over topics 9 and 10 will be held.

TOPIC 11- The evolution of genes and genomes (1 lecture).
Sense of the topic: To make possible the evolution of organisms, there must be a balance between the reliable transmission of genetic information between generations and the existence of gene or genomic changes that allow species to evolve favourable features.
Epigraphs: Generating genetic variation. Reconstructing life´s family tree. Introduction to genetic engineering. Examining the human genome.
Activities to carry out: Do the exercises specified by the teacher. Possible questions will be solved at a subsequent seminar (Seminar 8).

TOPIC 12- The cell cycle and cellular division (2 lectures).
Sense of the topic: Cells are generated by other cells, which reproduce by coordinated cycles of duplication and division; This topic explains these processes and their regulation.
Epigraphs: Overview of the cell cycle. The cell cycle control system. Nuclear division: Mitosis. The stages of mitosis. Division of the cytoplasm: cytokinesis. Control of cell number and cell size. Cancer.
Activities to carry out. In the seminar corresponding to this topic (Seminar 8) the students will prepare and solve questions on the blackboard.

TOPIC 13- Genetics, meiosis, and the molecular basis of inheritance (2 lectures).
Sense of the topic: After having studied the division of individual cells, cell biology of sexual reproduction is addressed in this last chapter.
Epigraphs: The benefits of sexual reproduction. Meiosis. Mendel and the laws of inheritance.
Activities to carry out: Genetics problems in the classroom will be addressed.

Practical Contents

Practice 1: Biomolecules in 3D (Duration: 2.5h. Bioinformatics classroom).
With the program "Swiss-PdbViewer DeepView" we will build fragments of proteins and alternatively assign them alpha-helix or beta-sheet features. We will rotate them in sp ace to observe the differences between the two types of structures. We will also explore the different tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins, as well as the secondary structures of nucleic acids.

Practice 2: The prokaryotic cell and DNA (Duration: 3h. Biochemistry laboratory).
This practice will introduce students to the handling of bacteria in the laboratory. We will lyse the bacteria and observe the release of bacterial nucleic acids, which will be further analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Practice 3: Microscope and mitosis (Duration: 2.5h. Bioinformatics classroom).
This practice serves two purposes: i) to learn how to use the compound optical microscope through the use of commercial preparations from various biological sources (animal, plant, or microbial), and ii) to familiarize students with the observation of different types of tissues and cells under the microscope, taking advantage of those preparations in which there are cells undergoing division to explain the phases of mitosis.

Basic bibliography

ALBERTS, B., et al. Introduction to Cell Biology. 2ª-3ª edición. México, Editorial Médica Panamericana 2006-2011. ISBN: 9788479035235/9786077743187

ALBERTS, B., y otros. Introducción a la Biología Celular. 5ª edición. México, Editorial Médica Panamericana 2021. ISBN: 9786078546442/ 9786078546442. Electronic versión avalilable at BUSC: https://iacobus.usc.gal/permalink/34CISUG_USC/tmlevo/alma99101345865180…


Complementary bibliography:

PANIAGUA, R. et al. Biología celular y molecular, 4ed. España. McGraw-Hill / Interamericana de España, S.L. ISBN: 978-84-486-1297-9. Available online at BUSC: https://accessmedicina-mhmedical-com.ezbusc.usc.gal/content.aspx?bookid…

PLATTNER, H. and J. HENTSCHEL. Biología celular. 4ª edición. México: Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2014. ISBN: 9788498355215

FREEMAN, S., K. QUILLIN and L. ALLISON. Fundamentos de Biología. 5ª edición. Madrid: Editorial Pearson, 2013. ISBN: 9788490354773

UNIVERSIDAD DE VIGO. Departamento de Biología Funcional y Ciencias de la Salud. Atlas de histología vegetal y animal [en liña]. Available at: http://webs.uvigo.es/mmegias/inicio.html

Additional resources: All resources provided by the teachers will be available at the virtual classroom of this subject at the Virtual Campus of USC.

It is worth noting that among the electronic resources of the USC library (BUSC) there are two collections from McGraw-Hill (Access Engineering and Access Medicine) and one from Wiley (Wiley Online Library – Books), where textbooks, manuals and other volumes of interest can be accessed by students. Additionally, the electronic book lending service PRELO also offers a number of books from various disciplines.

General and Basic Competences:
CB1- That students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that part of the basis of general secondary education, and is typically at a level which, although it is supported by advanced textbooks also includes some aspects that imply knowledge from the forefront of their field of study.
CG5- The ability to study and learn independently, to be able to organize their time and knowledge in this field of study or any related area of science or technology.

Transversal competences:
CT1- Acquiring capacity for analysis and synthesis
CT6- Perform teamwork.
CT12- Acquire independent learning.

Specific Competences:
CE14- Be able to solve qualitative and quantitative problems related to those proposed in class.
CE15- Be able to recognize and analyze new problems, and to plan strategies for solving them.
CE22- Understanding the relationship between theory and experiment
CE25- Be able to relate Chemistry with other disciplines.

Transversal competences common to all undergraduate degrees at USC.

Informational competences: identifying information needs, know the main types of scientific and technical documents, learn how to search and get information sources and select information, using it in an ethical and legal manner.

ATTENDANCE TO ALL CLASSES IS CONSIDERED MANDATORY AS A GENERAL RULE.

- CLASSES with slide presentations and an on-line course in the USC Virtual Course, which will include material related to that introduced in class and questions offering the students the opportunity to evaluate their knowledge.
- SEMINARS in reduced groups where practical questions and problems related to the material will be resolved.
- TUTORSHIPS in very small groups for clarification of doubts about theory or practices and guidance for carrying out works, with special emphasis on the search of bibliographic information and its correct presentation.
- LABORATORY PRACTICAL classes, which will allow the student to explore first-hand the techniques and tools used to study biology.
-INFORMATION COMPETENCES COURSE (given by the Director of the Faculty Library). To obtain the certificate of informational competences, students must complete this course (certification will be evidenced in the supplement to the title). It will consist of a single class in the classroom and of 8 learning units, at the end of which they must complete and pass the corresponding on-line tests.

1. The evaluation Will consist of two parts:
1.1. Continuous evaluation (AC=35% of the final grade), which in turn consist of::
i. Exercises assigned by the professor and work performed in seminars and tutorships (20%)
ii. Laboratory practical classes (15%)
1.2 Final Exam (EF = 65%)

Final Score= Maximum (Grade EF, (0,65xGrade EF + 0,35xGradeAC))


2. Evaluation of the laboratory practicals: attendance to the three practical sessions is mandatory and, therefore, an essential requirement to pass the subject. Unexcused absences will result in a "Not Pass" grade for the subject. For the practical grade, which accounts for 15% of the total, both the work in the laboratory and the completion and scoring of written assignments and/or questionnaires on the corresponding virtual platform for each practice will be evaluated. The overall grade obtained, resulting from the evaluation of the 3 practices (between 0 and 15% of the total subject), will be added to the continuous evaluation of section 1.1.iii..


3. Evaluation of seminars and tutorials: It will be based on the results of oral and/or written tests conducted throughout the semester. Failure to attend these classes will result in a zero score for the continuous evaluation activities conducted during those hours, and no compensatory tasks will be accepted afterward for continuous evaluation.

4. The final exam will include questions/exercises related to theoretical and practical aspects of the material.

5. Students who fail the course in the ordinary exam opportunity (December/January) may retake the final exam during the recovery opportunity (June). Scores obtained for the continuous evaluation will be maintained for the recovery opportunity.

6. Students who fail the subject but have completed the laboratory practices will not have to repeat them in subsequent courses. However, repeating students will have the same attendance requirements for interactive classes and the same evaluation system as students enrolled for the first time.

7. Following the rules of evaluation of the academic performance approved in the "Consello de Goberno" of June 15, 2011, the fraudulent accomplishment of some exercise or test will imply the qualification of suspense in the corresponding call. Among other things, fraudulent behaviour includes, plagiarism or not citing the authors or sources from which they were obtained, as well as speaking, copying or exchanging information during examinations.

Throughout the course, the assessment of competencies will be done in the final exam, in seminar classes and tutorials and in laboratory practices. More concretely:
- the final exam will be evaluated: CB1, CG5, CT1 / 12/14/15, CE22 / 25.
- in the seminar classes, the competences CB1, CG5 and CE14 / 15.
- in the tutorials, the competences CG5, CT1 / 6, CE15 / 25.
- in laboratory practice, competences CG5, CT6 and CE22 / 25.

Attendance hours:
26 hours in classes pertaining to theory
8 hours in seminars in small groups
2 hours in tutorials in very small groups
8 hours of laboratory sessions

Personal work outside organized classes:
54 hours dedicated to preparing the theoretical component of the class
32 hours for writing exercises, conclusions and other assigned work
10 hours preparing exercises and presentations
10 hours of preparation for the lab practicals and elaborating the final report

Attendance to the proposed activities, daily study, prepare interactive classes in advance and use the seminars and tutorships to solve any doubts about the subject. Additionally, students may set physical or (preferentially) virtual appointments with teachers to solve any doubts related to the subject.

1) This subject is supported by a virtual classroom in the Virtual Campus of USC, where students may find all the resources provided by the teachers to prepare this subject.
2) Students must employ their institutional USC email account of the Virtual Campus to contact teachers. Emails or messages received through other channels will not be answered.