Cellular Biology

- Know the structure of a cell, its macromolecular composition, structure and functions and be able to explain the basic principles of cell communication.
- How to use the microscope and identify cells and cell organelles in light and electron microscopy micrographs.
- Know the basic techniques used in Cell Biology
- How to use and look for information in specific and general bibliography and in Internet to supplement the information provided in lectures and seminars.

LECTURES (35 h)

Introduction (1.5 h)
LECTURE 1. Introduction. The cell theory. Cell Biology: present situation and relation with other sciences.
LECTURE 2.- Structural organization of living organisms. Cells and tissues.

Plasma membrane (4 h)
LECTURE 3.- Composition and structure of the plasma membrane.
LECTURE 4.- Membrane transport I. Transport of small molecules and ions across the cell membrane.
LECTURE 5.- Membrane transport II. Endocytosis and exocytosis.

The nucleus, ribosomes and the genetic mechanisms (5 h)
LECTURE 6.- Structural organization of the nucleus.
LECTURE 7.- Chromatin and chromosomes.
LECTURE 8.- DNA replication and transcription.
LECTURE 9.- Ribosomes and protein synthesis.

Endomembranes (3.5 h)
LECTURE 10.- The endoplasmic reticulum.
LECTURE 11.- The Golgi apparatus.
LECTURE 12.- Lysosomes and vacuoles.

Energy conversion (5 h)
LECTURE 13.- Mitochondria.
LECTURE 14.- Plastids.
LECTURE 15.- Microbodies.

The cytosol (0.5 h)
LECTURE 16.- The cytosol. Cytoplasmic inclusions.

The cytoskeleton and cell movement (4 h)
LECTURE 17.- The cytoskeleton. Microfilaments.
LECTURE 18.- Microtubules.
LECTURE 19.- Intermediate filaments.

The cell cycle and cell division (4.5 h)
LECTURE 20.- The eucaryotic cell cycle.
LECTURE 21.- Cell division.
LECTURE 22.- Meiosis.

Determination, differentiation and cell death (2 h)
LECTURE 23.- Cell determination, differentiation and aging.
LECTURE 24.- Cell death.

Cells in their social context (4 h)
LECTURE 25.- Cell signalling.
LECTURE 26.- Cell junctions. Extracellular matrix.
LECTURE 27.- Cell walls of plants.
LECTURE 28: Applications of cell biology

PRACTICALS (10 h)
1.- Computer practical. Search webs related with Cell Biology.Techniques used in Cell Biology.
2.- The light microscope. Cell diversity.
3. Observation of cell organelles in animal and plant cells
4.- Observation of cell functions
5.- Cell division: mitosis and meiosis.



SEMINARS (8 h)
Students will prepare and present seminars based on a questionnaire related to cell biology.


MANDATORY TUTORIALS (1 h). In the tutorial we’ll explain the students the course dynamics, how to prepare the seminars, avaliation, ..

BASIC
Cooper, G. M., Hausman, R.E. (2021). La Célula. 8ª ed. Madrid: Editorial Marbán

Alberts, B., et al. (2021). Introducción a la biología celular. 5ª ed.
Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana. Recurso en línea

COMPLEMENTARY

Alberts, B., et al. (2016). Biología molecular de la célula. 6ª ed. Barcelona: Omega

Karp, G. (2020). Biología celular y molecular: conceptos y experimentos.
8ª ed. México: MacGraw-Hill Interamericana

Lodish,H., et al. (2023). Biología celular y molecular. 8ª ed. Buenos Aires: Editorial Médica Panamericana.


PRACTICALS AND TECHNIQUES.
Montuenga et al., (2009). Técnicas en histología y biología celular. Elsevier Masson, Barcelona.
Ruíz, M. S. et al., (1985). Cuaderno de prácticas de citología e histología vegetal y animal. Santiago de Compostela: Servizo de Publicacións e Intercambio Científico da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
Sepúlveda Saavedra, J. (2011). Histología: Biología celular y tisular. Instructivo de laboratorio. MéGico: McGraw-Hill.


JOURNALS
- Investigación y Ciencia.
- Mundo Científico.
- Nature.
- Science.
- Current Biology.
- Current Opinion in Cell Biology.
- International Review of Cytology.
- Cell.
- Journal of Cell Biology.

INTERNET RESOURCES
1.- USC Library.
http://busc.usc.es
2.- Textbooks.
http://pubmed.com (books)
3.- Cell Biology
http://pubmed.com
http://www.cell-biology.com
http://www.roberthooke.org.ok
http://cellbio.utmb.edu/cellbio/membrane.htm
http://www.microanatomy.net/indeG.asp

Knowledge/contents: Con01, Con03, Con05, Con06, Con07

Skills: H/D01, H/D02, H/D03, H/D08

Competences: Com01, Comp02, Comp03, Comp04, Comp06

- Lectures with discussion.
- Seminars presented by the students with discussion.
- Practicals: laboratory and computer.
- Compulsory tutorials (one session of 1 h).

- Students must pass a written exam based on the lectures, practicasl and seminar that will represent 75% of the final qualification.
- Students must obligatory prepare and present the seminars assigned by the lecturers and which will represent 20% of the final qualification.
- Attendance at the practical classes is compulsory. Practicals will be evaluated with a cuestionary, which will represent 5% of the final qualifications
- Students who fail but have passed practicals do not need to repeat them.

The assessment tools mentioned above will be used to assess the following competencies:
-Written exam: Con01, Con03, Con05, Con06, Con07, H/D01, H/D02
-Seminars: H/D01, H/D03, H/D08, Com01, Comp02, Comp03, Comp06
-Tutorials and practicals: H/D01, H/D02, Comp04

- Theory: 33 h attendance at lectures plus 66 h of individual work (total: 99 h).
- Preparation and doscussion of seminars: 16 h of individual work (total: 16 h).
- Seminars: 8 h of attendance and individual work (total: 8 h).
- Laboratory practicals: 8 h of attendance plus 4 h of individual work (total: 12 h).
-Computer: 2 h of attendance plus 2 h of individual work (total:4 h)
- Tutorials: 2 h (total: 2 h).
- Examinations: 5 h (total: 5 h).

- Class attendance and active participation in class work.
- It is advised to study and revise every day the information provided in lectures, seminars and practicals, using the textbooks suggested by the lecturer.
- Study and weekly revision of information received during all week.
-Prepare the seminars before being discussed in the class.
- Clarifying doubts consulting the lecturers.
- For the final exam revise all the information received during theoretical sessions.

Como se explicará en la primera tutoría, los contenidos de la materia, prácticas y seminarios estarán disponibles para los/las alumnos/as en la plataforma Moodle. Para resolver cualquier duda o en caso de necesitar ayuda relacionada con esta materia, los/as alumnos/as podrán hablar directamente con el profesor en las horas de tutorías, contactar con él a través de correo electrónico o a través de plataformas como Teams ou Zoom.