BIOLOGIA FARMACEUTICA A - L

Knowledge and Understanding: The course provides students with the tools to describe the fundamental structures and biological processes of cells and living organisms using appropriate scientific terminology.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding: Students acquire the skills necessary to understand the importance of biological variability, enabling them to distinguish among living organisms and explain the basis of their differences.

Learning Skills: Students develop the ability to use their knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms governing living matter and living organisms (both animals and plants) as a foundation for the study of other biological subjects included in their degree programme.

Communication Skills: Students develop the ability to effectively communicate and convey the knowledge acquired regarding the fundamental structures and biological processes of cells and living organisms.

Making Judgements: Students develop critical thinking skills to evaluate the implications and significance of innovative discoveries in the field of cell biology and the biology of living organisms. They are also encouraged to keep abreast of advances in these fields by consulting the scientific literature. 

The course will be structured in frontal teaching with power point projection and/or short films. During the course there will be exercises and problem based learning. If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

No minimum prerequisites

Attendance is compulsory according to the regulations of the teaching regulations of the Degree Course in Farmacia as indicated in the link: https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami

Autotrophy and heterotrophy organisms.  Prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
Morphology of the animal and plant cells:
Structure and function of the cell: cell wall, cell membrane structure and function, cell permeability, transport, exocytosis and endocytosis.
Growth of the cell wall. Changes in the cell wall: lignification, mineralization, gelation, pigmentation.
Intracellular structures
Chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts: structure and functions. Pigments. Biochemical mechanism of photosynthetic light reactions, photorespiration.
Vacuolar system: origin, development and functions.
Composition of the vacuolar constituents of pharmaceutical interest.
Metabolism: primary metabolites, intermediate metabolites and secondary metabolites.

Cell cycle. DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis, mutations in the DNA.
Heterozygous, homozygous and hemizygous, dominant and recessive characters, genotype, phenotype and karyotype, Mendel's laws.
Genetic code, transcription, translation.
Part 1: 2.5 CFU - 17.5 h             
The chemical composition of the cell: water, minerals, cellular macromolecules: amino acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates. Principles of classification of living organisms: prokaryotes, eukaryotes and their relationship. Difference between autotrophy and heterotrophy organisms. Structure and transport in the biological membrane. Organelles: endoplasmic reticulum; Golgi apparatus, mitochondria; Lysosomes, Peroxisomes; Ribosomes, Cytoskeleton; Core, Chromatin and chromosome
Part 2: 2 CFU - 14 h 
Difference between plant cell and animal cell: Plastids. Overview of Photosynthesis; photorespiration; C3 plants and C4 plants; vacuoles. Primary metabolites, intermediate metabolites and secondary metabolites. Cell wall. Growth of the cell wall. Modifications of the cell wall: lignification, cutinization, suberification, mineralization, gelification, pigmentation. 
Part 3: 1.5 CFU - 10.5 h 
Overview of genetics: Heterozygous, homozygous and hemizygous, dominant and recessive characters, genotype, phenotype and karyotype, Mendel's laws. Cell cycle. DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis, mutations in the DNA. Genetic code, transcription, translation. 

1. Solomon, Berg, Martin -Biology- Ed. Edises
2. D. Sadava, D.V. Hillis, H.C. Heller, M.R. Berenbaum-Biologia-Ed.Zainichelli
3. Solomon, Berg, Martin -Struttura e processi vitali nelle piante- Ed. Edises
4. Poli F. - Biologia Farmaceutica - II Ed. - Pearson 2019
5. Sadava, Hillis, Craig Heller, Hacker.Biologia , Volumi 1,2,3,4 Ed. Zanichelli

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The final examination will be assessed on the basis of equally weighted indicators, in accordance with the intended learning outcomes (Dublin Descriptors).

The final grade takes into account the following aspects.

Quality of Knowledge, Skills and Competences

· appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the knowledge demonstrated;

· appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the skills demonstrated;

· appropriateness, accuracy, and consistency of the competences demonstrated.

Communication Skills

· clarity and effectiveness of presentation;

· appropriate use of discipline-specific terminology;

· logical reasoning and coherence in the organization of the contents;

· ability to establish connections among different topics by identifying common elements and developing a coherent overall framework, with appropriate structure, organization, and logical progression;

· ability to summarize concepts effectively, including the use of discipline-specific symbols and graphical representations, such as formulas, diagrams, and equations.

Interpersonal Skills

· willingness to engage in discussion and interact with the examiner during the oral examination.

Personal Skills

· critical thinking;

· self-assessment skills;

· problem-solving skills;

· decision-making skills.

The written examination consists of five open-ended questions to be completed within a maximum of 2 hours.

The oral examination is intended to clarify and further develop the answers provided in the written examination and, where necessary, to complement the assessment through additional questions aimed at verifying the student's knowledge of the course topics, as well as the ability to establish connections among concepts and critically analyse the course contents. The oral examination generally consists of 3 questions, one of which may be devoted to discussing aspects that emerged from the written examination. The average duration of the oral examination is approximately 20 minutes.

The final grade is expressed on a 30-point scale according to the following criteria.

Fail (Not Passed)

Knowledge and understanding: significant gaps and inaccuracies.
Analytical and synthesis skills: inadequate, with frequent generalizations.
Use of references: completely inappropriate.

Grade: 18–20

Knowledge and understanding: very limited, with evident shortcomings.
Analytical and synthesis skills: barely satisfactory.
Use of references: barely appropriate.

Grade: 21–23

Knowledge and understanding: slightly above the minimum acceptable level.
Analytical and synthesis skills: satisfactory analytical and synthesis abilities; arguments are presented logically and coherently.
Use of references: appropriate use of standard references.

Grade: 24–26

Knowledge and understanding: good.
Analytical and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities; topics are presented clearly and coherently.
Use of references: appropriate use of standard references.

Grade: 27–29

Knowledge and understanding: very good.
Analytical and synthesis skills: strong analytical and synthesis abilities.
Use of references: demonstrates in-depth study of the subject.

Grade: 30–30 cum laude

Knowledge and understanding: excellent.
Analytical and synthesis skills: outstanding analytical and synthesis abilities.
Use of references: demonstrates extensive and critical in-depth knowledge of the subject.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti) and referring teacher (prof.ssa Santina Chiechio email:santina.chiechio@unict.it) within of department.

Examination Dates

Examination dates are published on the website of the Department of Drug and Health Sciences.  https://www.dsf.unict.it/it/corsi/lm-13/calendario-esami

ECTS Workload

According to the University Academic Regulations (RDA), Article 12 – University Educational Credits (CFU/ECTS), one credit corresponds to a standard workload of 25 hours of total student commitment, including:  7 hours of lectures or equivalent teaching activities, with the remaining time devoted to independent study; or 12 to 15 hours of classroom exercises or equivalent supervised activities (e.g., laboratory work), with the remaining time devoted to individual study and personal elaboration.

1) A eukaryotic cell and a prokaryotic cell differentiate because.    
A) The eukaryotic cell has a plasma membrane    
B) The prokaryotic cell lacks a nucleus    
C) The eukaryotic cell can have flagella    
D) The eukaryotic cell can have cell wall    
E) The prokaryotic cell cannot synthesize proteins    
 
2) Which of these characteristics is NOT characteristic of the Golgi complex?    
A) In plant cells, production of cell wall polysaccharides    
B) Processing of proteins    
C) Formation of secretory vesicles containing glycoproteins    
D) Reception of materials from the RE    
E) Accumulation of products of cell digestion