ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 99 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 24 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology
Areas: Zoology
Center Faculty of Sciences
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
• Knowledge and understanding of the structure and functioning of the cell and the elements that compose it.
• Knowledge and understanding of the cell cycle and the processes of differentiation and aging, integrating them with the mechanisms of cellular communication and their implications for cell pathology and the appearance of cancers.
• Identify the basic models of tissues in humans and the different types of cells that make them up.
• To provide elementary notions of genetics so that the student understands how the characters are transmitted.
The memory of the degree includes for this subject the following contents:
THEORY: Introduction to the eukaryotic cell. Cell surface. Structure and function of the plasma membrane. Cell nucleus. Nuclear envelope and traffic between nucleus and cytoplasm. Vesicular transit, secretion and endocytosis. The cytoskeleton and cell motility. Cell cycle and its regulation. Cellular communication Cell differentiation and proliferation. Cancer. Cell pathology, aging and cell death. Fundamentals of genetics. Molecular biology in human nutrition. PRACTICES: Observation of different types of cells in fresh by contrast of phases and stains. Vital stains to determine cell viability. Cell cycle and karyotyping. Determination of enzymatic polymorphism.
These contents will be developed in accordance with the following program:
THEORY
Organization and cellular operation
Topic 1.- Introduction to the eukaryotic cell. Levels of organization in biology. Characteristics of the prokaryotic cell. Characteristics of the eukaryotic cell, origin, structure and main types. Cellular membrane. Cell nucleus. Cytosol. Cellular organelles. Cytoskeleton and movement.
Topic 2.- Cell surface, structure and function of the plasma membrane. Fluid mosaic model. Components of the plasma membrane. Lipids. Proteins. Carbohydrates (glycocalix). Renewal of the plasma membrane.
Topic 3.- Cell nucleus. Nuclear envelope and traffic between nucleus and cytoplasm. General characteristics and properties of the nucleus. Nuclear envelope. Perinuclear cistern. Nuclear sheet. Nuclear pores. Traffic between nucleus and cytoplasm. The chromatin. The chromosomes. The nucleolus. The processes of replication, transcription and translation.
Topic 4.- Vesicular transit, secretion and endocytosis. Permeability of the plasma membrane. Transport mediated by proteins. Endocytosis: pinocytosis and phagocytosis. Exocytosis: constitutive secretion and regulated secretion. Distribution and transport of proteins: ER, Golgi complex and lysosomes.
Topic 5.- Cytoskeleton and cell motility. Components of the cytoskeleton. Myofilaments and microfilaments. Intermediate filaments. Microtubules. Centrioles, cilia and flagella. Amoeboid movement, movement of fibroblasts, ciliary movement and movement of flagella.
Topic 6.- Cellular communication. Cell-cell interactions. Cell junctions with each other and with the extracellular matrix. Signaling molecules: neurotransmitters, hormones and local chemical mediators. Intracytoplasmic receptors. Surface receptors.
Topic 7.- Cell cycle and its regulation. Introduction. Phases of the cell cycle: mitosis (M) and interphase (G1, S and G2). Regulation of the cell cycle: restriction point, control points and regulators of cell cycle progression. Events of the M. Meiosis phase.
Topic 8.- Cell differentiation and proliferation. Embryonic development. Cell differentiation and tissue and organ formation. Proliferation of differentiated cells. Stem cells and maintenance of adult tissues.
Unit 9.- Cell pathology, aging and cell death. Factors of physical, chemical and biological nature that alter the normal functioning of the eukaryotic cell. Cell aging, theories and causes. Cell death: necrosis and apoptosis.
Topic 10.- Cancer. Types of cancer. Development of cancer. Causes of cancer. Mechanisms of transformation of normal cell in tumor: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Properties of cancer cells.
General of tissue organization
Topic 11.- Epithelial tissues. Characteristics and functions of the epithelia. Lining epitheliums. Glandular epithelia: exocrine and endocrine glands. Renewal of the epithelial cells.
Topic 12.- Connective tissues. Connective tissue itself: embryonic and adult connective tissue, types of fibers, fundamental substance, tissue fluid, connective tissue cells. Special connective tissues: adipose, blood, cartilage and bone.
Topic 13.- Muscle tissue: Introduction. Skeletal striated muscle: characteristics, types of fibers, the contraction cycle. Cardiac striated muscle. Smooth muscle. Ability to renew muscle cells.
Topic 14.- Nervous tissue: neurons. Synapse. Neuroglia. Nerve fibers. Connective tissue of the CNS.
Notions of genetics
Topic 15.- Fundamentals of genetics. Chromosomal basis of genetic inheritance. Karyotype Haploidy, diploidy and polyploidy. Sexuality. Meiosis. Mendelian genetics. Dominance. Multiple allelism. Diseases due to a gene. Pleiotropy. Penetrance and expressivity.
PRACTICES
Practice 1
Introduction to the tools and techniques of studying the cell and tissues. The use of the light microscope.
Practice 2
Study of cuts of striated skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue and smooth muscle.
Study of bone cuts and endochondral ossification.
Study of a blood smear
Practice 3
Study of skin cuts, arteries, veins and nerves.
Study of cuts of the esophagus, stomach and intestine
Study of cuts of pancreas and liver.
Practice 4
Study of cuts of the trachea and lung.
Study of kidney, thyroid and parathyroid sections.
Study of testis and ovary cuts.
Alberts, B.; Johnson, A.; Lewis, J.; Raff, M.; Roberts, K. & Walter, P. (2016).- Biología molecular de la célula. 6ª ed. Ed. Omega, Barcelona, 1472 pp.
Becker, W. M.; Kleismith, L. J. & Hardin, J. (2007).- El mundo de la célula. Ed. Pearson Educación S. A., Madrid, 970 pp.
Cooper, G. M. & Hausman, R. E. (2017).- Cooper´s La célula. Ed. Marbán Libros S. L., Madrid, 798 pp.
Junqueira, L.C.; Carneiro, J. (2022). Histología básica: Texto y Atlas. 13ª ed. Ed. Médica Panamericana S. A., Madrid, 608 pp.
Paniagua, R.; Nistal, M.; Sesma, P.; Álvarez-Uría, M.; Anadón, R.; Fraile, B.; Sáez, FJ. (2003). Biología celular. 2ªed. Ed. Interamericana-McGraw-Hill., Madrid, 381 pp.
Ross, M. H. & Pawlina, W. (2020). Histología. Texto y Atlas. Correlación con Biología Molecular y Celular. 8ª ed. Ed. Wolters Kluwer, Barcelona, 1045 pp.
Stevens, A.; Lowe, J. (2007). Histología humana. 3ª ed. Ed. Elsevier, Barcelona, 464 pp.
Basic skills:
CB1 - Those students have demonstrated to possess and understand knowledge in an area of study that starts from the base of general secondary education, and is usually found at a level that, although supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that imply knowledge coming from the vanguard of their field of study.
CB2 - Those students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the skills that are usually demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of study.
CB3 - Those students can gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include a reflection on relevant issues of social, scientific or ethical nature.
CB4 - That the students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to a specialized or non-specialized public.
CB5 - That the students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
General skills:
CG1 - Recognize the essential elements of the dietitian-nutritionist profession, including ethical principles, legal responsibilities and the exercise of the profession, applying the principle of social justice to professional practice and developing it with respect for people, their habits, beliefs and cultures.
CG2 - Develop the profession with respect to other health professionals, acquiring skills to work as a team.
CG3 - Recognize the need to maintain and update professional competence, paying special attention to learning, independently and continuously, new knowledge, products and techniques in nutrition and nutrition, as well as motivation for quality.
CG4 - Know the limits of the profession and its competences, identifying when necessary an interdisciplinary treatment or referral to another professional.
CG5 - Carry out communication effectively, both orally and in writing, with people, health professionals or industry and the media, knowing how to use information and communication technologies, especially those related to nutrition and life habits.
CG6 - Know, critically evaluate and know how to use and apply the sources of information related to nutrition, food, lifestyles and health aspects.
CG7 - Have the capacity to prepare reports and complete records related to the professional intervention of the Dietitian- Nutritionist.
CG29 - Acquire basic training for the research activity, being able to formulate hypotheses, collect and interpret information for the resolution of problems following the scientific method, and understanding the importance and limitations of scientific thinking in health and nutrition.
Transversal skills:
CT1: Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
CT3: Ability to work in a team (included in CG2)
CT5: Ability to use information and communication technologies (included in CG5).
CT6: Ability to manage information (included in CG6).
CT9: Ability to transmit knowledge (included in CG5).
CT12: Ability to use information in a foreign language.
Specific skills:
CE1: Know the chemical, biochemical and biological foundations of application in human nutrition and dietetics.
CE2: Know the structure and function of the human body from the molecular level to the complete organism in the different stages of life.
CE7: Acquire teamwork skills as a unit in which the professionals and other personnel related to the diagnostic assessment and treatment of dietetics and nutrition are structured in a uni or multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary manner.
The lectures will consist of the explanation, on the part of the academic staff, with the help of the audiovisual media that considers appropriate the contents of the subject reflected in the annual teaching guide. The interactive teaching of seminars is a complementary activity that can be taught by the academic staff or by the students, under the supervision of the first.
The laboratory practices will serve to illustrate the theoretical contents of the subject and will be fundamentally oriented to the student's acquisition of practical skills and experience.
Questionnaires with self-evaluation function will be available in the Virtual Classroom for a limited period (approximately two weeks) to be completed by the students. Its feedback will contribute to the student's learning process and may also give a certain number of points for the final grade (see evaluation section).
All the student's tasks (study, assignments, readings) will be guided by the academic staff in the tutoring sessions.
Virtual campus:
The resources provided by the virtual USC will be used so that the student can have the necessary documentation for the follow-up and preparation of the subject, as well as for the communication of news by the professors. Also, using the virtual USC, the student must answer the questionnaires and submit assignments as part of their continuous assessment and learning process.
The work of the students will be evaluated continuously and periodically through various mechanisms that are explained and complemented by a final knowledge test:
Continuous evaluation (30% of the final grade):
- Attendance and participation in expository classes, seminars and tutorials (5% of the final grade). It will be evaluated through attendance control and student participation.
Competences assessed: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CG1, CG4, CG5, CG6, CT1, CE1, CE2.
- Preparation of seminar work and presentation. It will contribute up to 5% of the final grade.
Competences assessed: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CG1, CG2, CG3, CG4, CG5, CG6, CG7, CG29, CT1, CT3, CT5, CT6, CT9, CT 12, CE1, CE2, CE7.
- Written report of the practices carried out. (Attendance and mandatory presentation to pass the subject, may contribute up to 10% of the final grade)
Competences assessed: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CE1, CE2.
- Completion of 5 test questionnaires that will be available throughout the course for a period of one to two weeks. It will provide 10% of the final grade.
Competences assessed: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CE1, CE2.
Final knowledge test (70% of the final grade):
- There will be a final exam of the theoretical and practical contents of the entire subject, which may contain test questions and short answer questions. It will be compulsory to complete the course and the grade obtained will be complementary to the continuous evaluation.
Competences assessed: CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CE1, CE2.
- In order to pass the subject, it will be essential to have completed the laboratory practices as well as the final knowledge test and achieve at least 50% of the total possible grade.
- Only students who do not participate in any of the following evaluable activities will obtain the grade of NOT PRESENTED: preparation of papers, memory of practices, completion of questionnaires, final knowledge test.
- The qualifications obtained in the different evaluation sections will be valid during the academic year in which they are evaluated, so that they will not contribute to the final qualification in successive courses even though they justify that they have been completed.
- Repeating students will not be governed by the evaluation system indicated above but will only be entitled to the final knowledge test. If they have pending practices, they will have to do them or pass a questionnaire on aspects related to them.
"In cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations for evaluating student academic performance and reviewing grades will apply."
The total number of student work hours in a subject organized in
ECTS credits equals 25 x ECTS no. Face-to-face attendance is 36% and student work hours are 64%.
Therefore, in a subject like this one of 6 ECTS credits, the total number of work hours of the student is 150:
54 hh face-to-face (32 hh exp. + 13 hh lab. + 4 hh wk. + 2 hh tut. G. + 1 h tut. I. + 3 hh. Exam).
96 hours of student work (study of subjects + preparation of practical notebook and papers + exam preparation).
It is required to have previously acquired basic knowledge of general biology.
Attendance, monitoring and active participation in the programmed teaching activities.
The classroom teaching of the subject will be taught in the two official languages of the community: Galician and Spanish.
Juan Angel Diaz Pazos
Coordinador/a- Department
- Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology
- Area
- Zoology
- Phone
- 982822312
- juanangel.diaz [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | 0P CLASSROOM 6 GROUND FLOOR |
| Wednesday | |||
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | 0P CLASSROOM 6 GROUND FLOOR |
| Thursday | |||
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | 0P CLASSROOM 6 GROUND FLOOR |
| 01.08.2025 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | 0P CLASSROOM 5 GROUND FLOOR |
| 01.08.2025 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | 0P CLASSROOM 6 GROUND FLOOR |
| 06.16.2025 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | 0P CLASSROOM 5 GROUND FLOOR |
| 06.16.2025 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | 0P CLASSROOM 6 GROUND FLOOR |