human biology: cytology and genetics

To know the cells as the basic units on which the structure and function of the human body is based to ensure a correct understanding of the modifications that occur in pathological states.

INTEREST OF THE COURSE IN THE DEGREE OF MEDICINE

It is fundamental for any future doctor to acquire a deep knowledge of cell biology and human genetics (structure, function, and behavior of cells), since in today's medicine the different pathologies are considered as cellular and molecular dysfunctions.

PART I: CYTOLOGY
I. THE CELL: BASIC UNIT OF LIFE (1 hour)
Lesson 1: The cell: basic unit of life. Special cytology.
II. CELL SURFACE AND BIOMEMBRANES: PLASMA MEMBRANE. (6 hours)
Lesson 2: Extracellular environment
Lesson 3: Plasma Membrane: Concept and Generalities
Lesson 4: Mechanisms of permeability and transport of micromolecules through the membrane.
Lesson 5: Transport of macromolecules through the membrane: Endocytosis and exocytosis.
Lesson 6: Cell surface specializations.
III. HYALOPLASM AND SKELETON: CELLULAR FORM AND MOVEMENT (4 hours)
Lesson 7: Hyaloplasm. Concept and chemical composition. Cytoskeleton: concept and generalities.
Lesson 8: Microfilaments.
Lesson 9: Intermediate Filaments.
Lesson 10: Microtubules.
IV. CELL COMPARTMENT (6 hours)
Lesson 11: Endoplasmic reticulum.
Lesson 12: Golgi Apparatus.
Lesson 13: Lysosomes and Endosomes
Lesson 14: Peroxisomes and Mitochondria.
V. ORGANS THAT PROCESS INFORMATION: NUCLEUS AND RIBOSOMES (3 hours)
Lesson 15: Cellular nucleus: general characteristics
Lesson 16: Core in interface
Lesson 17: Nucleolus: structure and function Ribosomes. Proteasome.
VI. CELL CYCLE AND CELL DIVISION. (3 hours)
Lesson 18: The cell cycle.
Lesson 19: Mitosis.
Lesson 20: Meiosis.
PART II: GENETICS
VII. ORGANIZATION, TRANSMISSION AND EXPRESSION OF HEREDITARY MATERIAL: INHERITANCE PATTERNS (6 hours)
Lesson 21: Organization of the genome.
Lesson 22: Mendelian Inheritance Patterns
Lesson 23: Atypical inheritance patterns.
Lesson 24: Polygenic and Multifactorial Inheritance

VIII. GENETIC MATERIAL CHANGES (6 hours).
Lesson 25: Genetic variation: Mutation.
Lesson 26: Chromosomal alterations.
Lesson 27: Mendelian populations.
Lesson 28: Polymorphisms.
Lesson 29: Genetic counselling.
Lesson 30: Genetic Basis of Cancer.

INTERACTIVE LESSONS


Laboratory practices: (12 hours)

P1: The optical microscope: Nomenclature and instructions for use
P2-3: Basic techniques: Sample preparation and staining I: free cells
P4-5: Basic techniques: Sample preparation and staining II: associated cells
P6: The cell: general characteristics and cell surface.
P7: Microscopic study of cytoskeleton.
P8: Microscopic study of organelles I.
P9: Microscopic study of organelles II.
P10: Microscopic study of mitosis and meiosis
P11- Nucleus, metaphasic chromosomes and chromatin
P12: ABO system. Determination of blood group
P13-P14: Academic group work
P15-P16: Basics and application of PCR

Seminars (4 hours)
S1: Origin of the cell.
S2: Cell death: Necrosis and Apoptosis
S3: Genetic problems and games
S4: Genetic problems and games

BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY.
1 CALVO A. Biología Celular Biomédica. 1ª ed. Elsevier; 2015.
2 JORDE LB, CAREY JC, BAMSHAD MJ. Genética Médica. 6ª ed. Elsevier; 2020.
3 KARP G. Biología celular y molecular. Conceptos y experimentos. 8ª ed. McGraw-Hill; 2019.
4 NUSSBAUM RL, MCINNES RR, WILLARD HF. THOMPSON & THOMPSON. Genética en Medicina. 8ª Ed. Elsevier Masson; 2016.
5 PANIAGUA R. Biología celular y molecular. 4ª ed. McGraw-Hill; 2017.
6 TURNPENNY P, ELLARD S, CLEAVER R. EMERY. Elementos de genética médica y genómica 16ª ed. Elsevier. 2022.



COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1 ALBERTS B, BRAY D, LEWIS J, RAFF M, ROBERTS K, WATSON J. Biología Molecular de la Célula. Omega; 2016.
2 KIERSZENBAUM AL, TRES LL. Histología y Biología Celular. Introducción a la anatomía patológica. 5ª ed. Elsevier; 2020.
3 LODISH H, BERK A, KAISER CA, KRIEGER M, BRETSCHER A, PLOEGH H, AMON A, SCOTT MP. Biología Celular y Molecular. 7ª ed. Médica Panamericana; 2021.
4 PIERCE BA. Genética: un enfoque conceptual. 5ª ed. Médica Panamericana; 2016.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
1 VILLAR CHEDA, B. LÓPEZ LÓPEZ, A. Hialoplasma e citoesqueleto: forma e movemento celular. 2020. Unidades didácticas USC. https://dx.doi.org/10.15304/9788417595555.
2 VILLAR CHEDA, B Xenética humana: conceptos básicos aplicados a ciencias da saúde. 2021. Colección: Esenciais USC.

GENERAL COMPETENCIES (GC)
This course helps to reinforce many of the basic skills of the degree:
GC5. Recognizing one's own limitations and the need to maintain and update one's professional competence, paying special attention to the autonomous learning of new knowledge and techniques and to motivation for quality.
GC6. To develop professional practice with respect to other health professionals, acquiring teamwork skills.
GC7 Understanding and recognizing the normal structure and function of the human body, at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organic and systems level, in the different stages of life and in both sexes.
GC9. Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body,
GC23 Communicating effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing.
GC31 Knowing, critically evaluating and understand how to use clinical and biomedical information sources to obtain, organize, interpret and communicate scientific and health information.
GC36 To be able to formulate hypotheses, to collect and to value of form critical the information for the resolution of problems, following the scientific method.
GC37 To acquire the basic formation for the research activity.

MODULE I SPECIFIC COMPETENCES (MISC)

MISC.01 To know the structure and function of cells: Cellular membranes and morphological differentiations of cellular communication. The cytoskeleton as responsible for the shape and movement of cells. The endomembrane system and the energetic organelles
MISC.06 Cellular Communication
MISC.08.- Cell cycle.
MISC.09.- Cell differentiation and proliferation.
MISC.10.- Gene information, expression, and regulation.
MISC.11.- Inheritance: Genetic information, expression and regulation and its transmission through the different models of inheritance
MISC.18.- Handling of material and basic laboratory techniques.
MISC.20.- Recognize with macroscopic and microscopic methods and image techniques the morphology and structure of tissue, organs, and systems.

In the lectures, the fundamental contents of the program will be explained using visual aids (optical and electronic microcopy images, diagrams and/or animations or videos). The lectures will take place in the classrooms of the Faculty of Medicine.
In the laboratory practices, students will learn the use of basic techniques for the study of the cell. In the seminars and some practices, the topics and contents of the course will be worked on using mainly cooperative work techniques.
The interactive lessons will be given mainly in the classrooms and laboratories of the Faculty of Medicine.
The course will have a virtual classroom at the Campus Virtual in which students will be able to have didactic material and digitalized images of support. In addition, a public tutoring forum will be established in the Campus Virtual. Other programs (MS Teams, Forms,...) will be used if they are deem appropriate and if circumstances allow.

The final tests will have PRESENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
In the evaluation of the competencies, the knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired by the students throughout the course will be assessed.
The evaluation system will be applicable for the two opportunities. Participation is mandatory for both lectures and practices, and the students must follow the instructions of the responsible person, specially for those indications relative to security. Unjustified absence and lack of respect that affect colleagues and teachers can be reflected in the final grade.
The evaluation of the lectures will be up to 80% of the final grade and the interactive part will be at least the remaining 20%.
The evaluation will be carried out continuously (20% of the grade) thus assessing the student's daily work throughout the course and by means of a final test complementary to the continuous evaluation (80% of the grade).
- The continuous evaluation is based on the performance of different activities, which will be programmed and announced in the virtual campus. These activities will be carried out both in person and online, and the participation of students and the completion of the activity will be monitored, during classes or outside teaching hours, in the weeks during which the subject is taught.
- The final evaluation test will consist of an exam that will be tailored to the particularities of the subject, and could include different types of questions (such as multiple choice and single answer questions, short-answer questions, assay questions, clinical cases...)
The different tests and/or activities may be replaced by telematic tests, both synchronous and asynchronous, using the resources of the institutional platforms (Virtual Classroom-Moodle and Microsoft Teams...)

The requirements for passing the course are: 1) to obtain 50% of the score in the final test, and 2) to have carried out 80% of the interactive activities.
"In the case of fraudulent exercises or tests, the rules for evaluating the academic performance of students and reviewing grades will apply.

PRESENTIAL WORK IN THE CLASSROOM: 60 Hours
Lectures: 36
Interactive lessons: 20
Tutorials in small groups or individualized: 2
Exams to be taken: 2

STUDENT PERSONAL WORK: 90 Hours
Individual study: 75
Preparation of internship reports: 5
Elaboration of works: 10

It is recommended to take notes in class during the lessons and to expand them with the didactic material available in the virtual campus and/or with the recommended bibliography, available through the library both in paper format and through digital access. It is advisable to study the contents daily and to use the individual tutorials and the public tutorial forum to solve doubts.
It is advisable to carry out a self-evaluation process, guided by the results of the continuous assessment, to learn how to critically evaluate the level of one's own knowledge and skills.