degree in biology – courses in english (2015-16)...unit 2 (u2). chemical bonding and structure....

DEGREE IN BIOLOGY – COURSES IN ENGLISH (2015-16)

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FIRST YEAR-COURSES IN ENGLISH

26510 - CHEMISTRY 1st year

Theoretical and practical contents (2015-16)

THEORETICAL LESSONS:

SECTION I (CHEMICAL BONDING, BI)

Unit 0. Inorganic nomenclature

Unit 1 (U1). Mass relationships in chemical reactions. Atomic and molar mass. Mol

definition. Empirical and molecular formulas. Reactions stoichiometry. Adjusting

chemical reactions. Limiting reagent and chemical yield. Concentrations units.

Unit 2 (U2). Chemical bonding and structure. The ionic bond and lattice energy. The

covalent bond: electronegativity, Lewis structures, resonance, bond enthalpy, molecular

geometry and dipole moment. Valence bond theory: Hybridization. Molecular Orbital

Theory: bonding, antibonding and delocalized molecular orbitals.

SECTION II (ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, BII)

Unit 3 (U3). Hydrocarbons. Structure and composition of organic molecules. Nomenclature

and physical propierties of alkanes, alkenes and alkynes. Aromatic hydrocarbons.

Unit 4 (U4). Functional groups. Definition of functional group. Structure, nomenclature and

physical propieties of organic compound containing functional groups.

Unit 5 (U5). Organic stereochemistry. Geometric isomerism. Conformations of acyclic

compounds. Conformational analysis of cyclohexanes and another cyclic compounds. Chiral

molecules. Optical activity. Absolute configuration: R and S rules. Molecules with more than

one stereocenters: diasteroisomers. Resolution and separation of diasteroisomers and

enantiomers.

Unit 6 (U6). Organic reactivity. Reactions in organic chemistry. Reaction intermediates.

Addition reactions. Elimination reactions. Substitution reactions.

SECTION III (THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS, BIII)

Unit 7 (U7). Thermochemistry. Enthalpy. Calorimetry. Standard enthalpy of formation and

rection. Heat of solution and dilution. First law of thermodynamic. Spontaneous processes

and entropy. Second law of thermodinamic. Gibss free energy. Free energy and chemical

equilibrium.

Unit 8 (U8). Chemical equilibrium. Chemical equilibrium concept. Law of mass action, Kc.

Reaction quotient. Factors that affect the chemical equilibrium. Hetereogeneous equilibria.

Unit 9 (U9). Chemical kinetics. Reaction rate. Reaction rate law. The relation between the

reactant concentration and time. Factors that affect the reaction rates. Reaction

mechanisms. Catalysis. The relation between chemical kinetics and chemical equilibrium.

SECTION IV (SOLUTIONS AND THEIR PROPERTIES, BIV)

Unit 10 (U10). Chemical and physical properties of solutions. Intramolecular forces. Liquid

state: structure and properties of water. Phase changes. Phase diagrams. A molecular viwe

of the solution process. Types of solution. The effect of the temperature on solubility. The


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effect of pressure on solubility of gases. Colligative properties of nonelectrolyte and

electrolyte solutions.

Unit 11 (U11). Acid-base equilibria. Brönsted acids and bases. The acid-base properties of

water and the pH scale. Strenght of acids and bases. Molecular structure and acid strength.

Some typical acid-base reactions. Lewis acids and bases. Weak acids. Weak bases.

Polyprotic acids. Acid-base properties of salt. The common ion effect. Buffer solutions.

Unit 12 (U12). Electrochemistry. Redox reactions. Standard reduction potential.

Thermodynamics of the redox reaction. Batteries. Corrosion.

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

Practice 1 (P1). Stoichiometry workshop.

Practice 2 (P2). Chemical bonding workshop.

Practice 3 (P3). Mollecular models: nomenclature



Practice 6 (P6). Organic chemistry reactivity

Practice 7 (P7). Thermodynamics and kinetics workshop

Practice 8 (P8). Acid-base titrations

26511 – FUNDAMENTALS OF MATHEMATICS 1st year


CONTENTS:

Introduction to mathematical language. Matrices and systems of linear equations. Vector

spaces and linear applications. Functions of a real variable: derivatives and integrals.

Introduction to differential equations.

B0: INTRODUCTION

T1: Introduction to mathematical language. Notation. Basics of propositional logic.

B1: ALGEBRA

T2: Matrices and systems of linear equations. 2.1 Matrices. 2.2 Determinants. Range.

2.3 Solution of linear systems. The Gauss method. 2.4 The Cramer method.

T3: Vector spaces and linear applications. 3.1 Linear applications. 3.2 Properties of the

linear applications. 3.3 Algebraic operations with linear applications. 3.4 Usages of matrix

calculus in the study of linear applications. 3.5 Change of basis. 3.6 Similar Matrices. 3.7

Determinants. 3.8 Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors. 3.9 Diagonalization of a matrix.

B2: ANALYSIS

T4: Functions of a real variable: continuity and límit. 4.1 Definition of “Function”.

Domain and range. 4.2 Límits and continuity. 4.3 Theorems about continuous functions.

T5: Differential calculus in one variable. 5.1 Derivative of a function. 5.2 Computing

the derivative. Chain rule. 5.3 Theorems about derivative functions. 5.4 Interpretation of

the derivative. 5.5 Study of functions. Increasing, decreasing, maximum and minimum.

Concavity and convexity. Graphical representation of functions. 5.6 l’Hôpital rule.

Indeterminations (or indeterminate forms). 5.7 Usage in Optimization problems. 5.8

Taylor’s formula.

T6: Integral calculus of a variable. 6.1. Primitive integrals calculus. 6.2 Definite integrals.


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6.3 Area of a plane figure. Concept of definite integral. 6.4 Properties of the definite

integral. 6.5 Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. 6.6 Applications of a Definite

Integral. Volume of a solid of revolution. Arc Lenght of a curve and Area of a Surface of

revolution.

T7: Differential equations 7.1. Definition of differential equation (D.E.) Nomenclature and

examples. Classification of D.E. Solution techniques for first-order D.E. 7.4 Specific study of

second-order D.E. 7.5 n-order linear D.E. Solution techniques. 7.6 General comment about

systems. Definition and nomenclature. Classification of linear systems 7.7 Solution

methods. 7.8 Predator-Pray models: Lotka-Volterra systems

26512 – BIOLOGY 1st year



Part I [3 units] 5 h. ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF LIFE: PREBIOTIC CONDITIONS AND

BIOMOLECULES.

Unit 1. Definition of life.

1.1.-History of the biological knowledge. Conceptual and methodological milestones.

1.2.-Conceptualization and problems of the definition of life.

1.3.-The pyramid of life. The unexplored biosphere.

1.4.-Present perspectives of Biology

Unit 2. The origin of life on Earth.

2.1.-Theories on the origin of life. Current paradigms.

2.2.-Chemical foundations of the life. Origin of the organic molecules.

2.3.-Origin of the first cells.

Unit 3. Life and history of Earth. A spatial-temporal perspective.

3.1.- History of Earth: relevant characteristics for life. Exobiology.

3.2.-Dating the origin of life.

3.3.-Evolution and geological chronology. Explosion of diversity and extinction.

3.4.-Terrestrial dynamics and cartography of biomes

3.5.-Evidences of the evolutionary process.

3.6.-Can hypotheses on the evolution be subjected to experimentation?

Part II [1 unit] 2 h. PROTOCELLS, PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC CELLS. DIVERSIFICATION

AND CELL DIFFERENTIATION.

Unit 4. Protocells. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. 4.1.-Protocells: Self-organization of

organic molecules. 4.2.- Anaerobic prokaryotes: early organisms. 4.3. Capture of light

energy. The crisis of oxygen. 4.4.-Origin of the eukaryotic cell. Endosymbiosis and

phagocytosis. 4.5. Evolution of the eukaryotic cell. Aerobic metabolism. Organelles. 4.6.

Origin of multicellularity. Cell aggregates. Cell types.

Part III [2 units] 4 h. ACQUISITION OF THE INTRA-CELULLAR ENVIRONMENT. CELLULAR AND

TISSUE ORGANIZATION. RELATED STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS.


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Unit 5. Levels of biological organization. Acquisition of the intra-cellular environment:

homeostasis. 5.1.- Spectrum of levels of biological organization. 5.2. Acquisition of the

internal environment. Homeostasis. 5.3 Homeostatic imbalance. Stress and disease. 5.4

Structure and organization of multicellular beings. 5.5. Plant and animal tissues. Specific

function.

Unit 6. Organs, systems and functions.

6.1.-Organization in plants. Structure of root, stem and leaves.

6.2.-Vital processes in vegetables. Growth. Transpiration. Photosynthesis.

6.3.-Vital processes in animals.

6.4.-Mitosis and meiosis. Reproduction in plants and animals.

6.5.-Embryology.

Part IV [4 units] 5 h FUNCTIONAL ADAPTATIONS AND DYNAMIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN

ORGANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Unit 7. The order in the natural world. 7.1. The study at different scales of organisms in their

environment: areas of Ecology. 7.2 How has the human species affected to natural

processes? 7.3 Application of Ecology to the environmental crises: the biodiversity crisis.

Causes. Global Change 7.4.-Biosphere, biomes, regions, landscapes and other

ecosystems.

Unit 8. Organisms in physical environments (I).

8.1.- Organism-environment relations. The autoecological perspective inside the

community.

8.2.-Limiting factors: Limit of tolerance. Physiological and ecological optimum. “Eury-” and

“steno-” organisms.

8.3.-Concept of niche and habitat. Generalist and specialist species.

8.4.-Adaptability and Adaptation. Ecotypes.

Unit 9. Organisms in physical environments (II).

9.1.- Environmental factors as a resource

Unit 10. Ecosystems over time.

10.1.-Interactions in populations and communities: competition, predation, parasitism,

mutualism, commensalism.

10.2.-Successions.

10.3.- Flows of energy. Biomass and Production.

10.4.-Trophic Levels and food chains.

10.5.-Introduction to biogeochemical cycles (water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus).

Part V [2 units] 3 h. EVOLUTION OF THE LIVING ORGANISMS.

Unit 11. Evolution: processes and evolutionary models. 11.1. Pre-Darwinian evolutionary

theories. The Darwinian paradigm. 11.2.-Evolution: fact and theory. Foundations of the

Evolutionary Theory. 11.3. Natural Selection, biological effectiveness and adaptation.

11.4. Evolutionary interactions: sexual selection and Coevolution. 11.5 Micro and


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Macroevolution. Genetic drift.

Unit 12. Definition of species. Models and mechanisms of speciation

12.1.-Main concepts of species.

12.2.-Types and causes of the speciation. Adaptive radiation.

12.3.-Modes of speciation.

Part VI [1 unit] 2 h. PHYLOGENY AND CLASSIFICATION OF ORGANISMS

Unit 13. Phylogeny, classification and biological nomenclature.

13.1.- Phylogeny, ontogeny and evolution.

13.2 Taxonomy and Systematics. Schools and taxonomic methods.

13.3 Levels and taxonomic categories. Biological nomenclature.

Part VII [6 units] 9 h. EVOLUTION AND DIVERSITY OF THE LIVING ORGANISMS

Unit 14. Domains and Kingdoms in Nature. Viruses and Prokaryotes. 14.1. Brief history of

the evolution of the Nature Kingdoms 14.2 Domains, kingdoms and supergroups. The

tree of life. 14.3. Viruses: at the border of life. 14.4. Prokaryotic diversity: Bacteria and

Archaea.

Unit 15. Eukaryotic Diversity. 15.1 Main evolutionary lines of eukaryotes. 15.2 Diversity and

leading groups of protozoa. 15.3 Chromoalveolata: Dinoflagellates, Diatoms,

Pseudofungi and Phaeophyceae (Brown algae).

Unit 16. Plants

16.1.-Main evolutionary lines.

16.2.-Diversity of red algae (Rodophyta).

16.3.- Green algae, ancestral lineage of embryophytes.

16.4.- Seedless Plants: bryophyte, licophyta and ferns.

16.5.- Seed Plants: gymnosperms and angiosperms.

Unit 17. Fungi

17.1.-Diversity and characteristics of the true fungi (Eumycota).

17.2.-Main lineages: zygomycota, ascomycota and basidiomycota.

17.3.-Fungus associations: Lichens and Mycorrhiza.

17.4.-Evolutionary position of the fungi.

Unit 18. Animals (I): evolution and diversity

18.1.-Biological Characteristics of the Metazoa. Biodiversity.

18.2.-Body Plan

18.3.-Evolutionary history of the metazoa. Main lineages

18.4.- Parazoa, primitive metazoa. Sponges.

18.5.-Non bilateral Eumetazoa. Cnidaria.

Unit 19. Animals (II): evolution and diversity

19.1.-Bilateria Eumetazoa: evolution and diversification.

19.1.1.-Biology and diversity of protostomes lophotrochozoa. Molluscs.

19.1.2.-Biology and diversity of protostomes ecdysozoa. Arthropods.

19.1.3.-Biology and diversity of deuterostomes. Chordates.


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Part VIII [1 unit] 1 h. BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION

Unit 20

20.1.-Biodiversity: basic concepts.

20.2.-Crutial points of biodiversity.

20.3.-Human impact on biodiversity.

20.4.-Introduction to Conservation Biology

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

LAB PRACTICE 1

Observation of biological material: Use of binocular magnifying glass and microscope. In

vivo observation of organisms. Importance of the size of living beings and structural and

functional implications. Comparative structural variability of representative organisms

of the different kingdoms. Observation and representation of structures and organisms

with different traits and sizes; from bacteria to small arthropods, algae, fungi and

plants. Analysis of relevant characteristics of instruments and observation protocols.

Learning objectives: Identify the nature of the major groups of living organisms by

comparing their structural and behavioral complexity. Special attention to the meaning

of the size in relation to the capabilities and the ecological implications of each form of

life. Representative organisms composing several of the tree of life’s kingdoms are

used.

LAB PRACTICE 2

Molecules and organelles composing the human beings: identification and location in plant

tissues. Seed, fruit and root sections. Oxalates, lignin, suberin, etc. Processes and

metabolic functions in living beings. Mitosis observation in meristematic root cells. The

transmission of information in the diversification process of living beings.

Learning objectives: Find different molecules and organelles in cells and corresponding

tissues and in the parts of organisms where transmissible information is enclosed.

Identify chromosomal structures by selective simple staining.

LAB PRACTICE 3

Aerial growth and conduction in vascular plants. Photosynthetic pigments. Characteristics of

the vascular tissues in plants and indicators of growth rates. Observation of growth

processes (elongation, formation of leaves, flower buds and bloom formation), and

comparison of anatomical structures of vascular bundle (stele) and other tissue plant in

Gymnosperms and Angiosperms (mono- and dicotyledonous). Quantification of

chlorophyll content in a surface of leaf fragment. Quantification of chlorophyll content

with spectrophotometry method. Learning objectives: Emphasize the dependence of all

types of living organisms on the environment. Know the environmental characteristics

in order to understand both the anatomical and morphological features and the

physiological and behavioral responses that translate into changes in the abundance,

diversity and distribution of these organisms.


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LAB PRACTICE 4

Visualising samples of microscopic organisms from different environments. Practical

introduction to nomenclature and biological classification ( 2,5 hours).

Microcosm study. Sampling Methodology. Anatomical and morphological study of

representative microscopic organisms. Problems with the taxonomy. Practical

resolution of the nomenclature and biological classification problems.

Required equipment: Binocular glasses, microscopes and adapted camera, colourings and

reagents for microscopy, identification guides, computer and video projector.

Learning Objectives:

Analyse the basic morphology of the main groups of microscopic organisms, in the aquatic

and terrestrial environments. Develop skills for handling the equipment and

instruments for the study of the living organisms. Understand the basic principles of

taxonomy and biological nomenclature.

PRACTICE 5.

Comparative study and recognition of organisms from the main vegetal groups and

evolutionary lineages.

( 3 hours).

Recognition of morphologic plans. Identification and study of morphologic structures. Main

tissues. Understanding the structural complexity of the plants.

Required equipment: Binocular glasses, microscopes, camera connected to a magnifying

glass, computer and video projector, specialized bibliography, preserved and living

samples.


Know the diversity of the world of plants. Recognize the main morphologic characteristics

of the studied types. Acquire skills for handling and preserving samples, and for the

study of the analysed organisms.

PRACTICE 6.

Comparative study and recognition of organisms from the main animal groups and

evolutionary lineages.

( 3 hours).

Recognition of morphologic plans. Identification and study of morphologic structures. Main

tissues. To understand the structural complexity of the animals.

Required equipment: Binocular glasses, microscopes, camera connected to a magnifying

glass, computer and video projector, specialized bibliography, preserved and living

samples.


Know the diversity of the animal world. Recognize the main morphologic characteristics of

the studied types. Acquire skills for handling and preserving samples, and for the study

of the analysed organisms.


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FIELD PRACTICALS:

Santa Pola - Arenales del Sol. (5 hours).

Ecology part: Introduction to environments and ecosystems in coastal landscape

heterogeneity. Basic description of gradients (Cline) coast. Characterization of wealth

and indirect rates of primary production. Data and information will be obtained in order

to solve ecological problems. CARN Part (Department of Environmental Science and

Natural Resources): Observation and capture on-site of diversity of plants and animals,

taking samples that will be studied in the lab sessions.

26513 – GENETICS 1st year



COURSE PRESENTATION (1 h.)

1. INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS (1 h.)

1.1. Genetics in Biology and society

2. GENERAL ASPECTS OF HEREDITY (10 h.)

2.1. Mendel and the basic principles of inheritance

2.1.1. Patterns of single-gene inheritance (1 h.)

2.1.2. Independent transmission of genes. (1 h.)

2.2. The chromosomal basis of inheritance

2.2.1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes (1 h.)

2.2.2. Cell division: mitosis and meiosis (1 h.)

2.2.3. Sex determination and sex-linked inheritance. Cytoplasmic inheritance. (1 h.)

2.3. Modes of inheritance in pedigrees. Genetic basis of human pathologies. (1 h.)

2.4. Gene interactions and gene-environment interactions

2.4.1. Interactions between alleles of the same gene. Dominance variations. Multiple and

lethal alleles. (1 h.)

2.4.2. Interactions between alleles of different genes. Epistasis. (1 h.)

2.4.3. Penetrance and expressivity. Environmental effects. (1 h.)

2.4.4. Quantitative inheritance. (1 h.)

3. GENETIC MAPPING (4 h.)

3.1. Chromosome mapping in eukaryotes

3.1.1. Linkage detection. Recombination frequency and its use in mapping (1 h.)

3.1.2. Mapping with molecular markers. Physical maps. (1 h.)

3.2. Chromosome mapping in prokaryotes and viruses

3.2.1. Bacterial conjugation. Transformation. Transduction. (1 h.)

3.2.2. Genetics of bacteriophages and other viruses (1 h.)

4. THE GENERATION OF GENETIC VARIATION (7 h.)

4.1. The molecular nature of the gene


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4.1.1. The concept of gene. (1 h.)

4.1.2. Determination of metabolic pathways. (1 h.)

4.1.3. The complementation assay. (1 h.)

4.2. Gene expression. (1 h.)

4.2.1. Transcription.

4.2.2. Translation. The genetic code.

4.3. Gene mutations. (1 h.)

4.3.1. Types and origin of mutations.

4.3.2. Phenotypic effects of mutations.

4.4. Chromosome mutations.

4.4.1. Variation in chromosome structure. (1 h.)

4.4.2. Variation in chromosome number. (1 h.)

4.4.3. Chromosome mutations and evolution.

5. POPULATION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION (5 h.)

5.1. Population genetics. (1 h.)

5.1.1. Genetic structure of populations.

5.1.1.1 Variation in natural populations.

5.1.1.2. Genotype and allele frequencies.

5.1.2. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium model (1 h.)

5.2. Evolutionary genètics

5.2.1. Evolutionary forces.

5.2.1.1. Mutation and migration. (1 h.)

5.2.1.2. Natural selection and genetic drift (1 h.)

5.2.2. Speciation and evolution. (1 h.)

5.2.2.1 Mechanisms of speciation and reproductive isolation mechanisms

5.2.2.2. Selectionism and neutralism.

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

Practical 1. Pea plant Genetics. Mendel’s Laws. Computer practice. 2 h.

Practical 2. Phenotypic segregation analysis in maize. Lab practice. 2 h.

Practical 3. Drosophila melanogaster..Monohybrid and dihybrid crosses. Linkage and

recombination maps. Lab practice. 2 h.

Practical 4. Auxotrophy and complementation in microorganisms. Lab practice. 8 h.

Practical 5. Population genetics and evolution. Computer practice. 2 h.

Practical 6. Genetics of PTC tasting in humans. Lab practice. 3 h.

Problems discussion Practice. Students will discuss the solutions to representative problems

related to topics addressed in theoretical lectures. 10 h.

Group tutorials. Problem solving activities by using a provided learning guide. 3 h.

26514 – BIOCHEMISTRY I



B 1. INTRODUCTION.


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T 1. Introduction. The Basis of Biochemistry. 1.1. Introduction to Biochemistry. 1.2. Water as

a sustaining life medium. 1.3. Bioenergetics.

B 2. BIOMOLECULES.

T 2. Structure and function of proteins. 2.1. Amino acids. 2.2. Peptides. Primary structure

determination. 2.3. Three-Dimensional structure and function of proteins.

T 3. Enzymes. Catalysis and enzyme kinetics. 3.1. Characteristics of biological catalysts. 3.2.

Enzyme catalysis. 3.3. Enzyme kinetics. 3.4. Enzyme regulation.

T 4.Carbohydrates. 4.1. Monosaccharides. 4.2. Oligosaccharides. 4.3. Polysaccharides. 4.4.

Glycoconjugates.

T 5. Lipids. 5.1. Chemical nature of lipids. 5.2. Types and functions of lipids

T 6. Biomembranes y transport. 6.1. Structure of cell membranes. 6.2. Solute transport

across cell membranes.

B 3. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

T 7. Structure and function of nucleic acids.7.1. Nucleotides. 7.2. Structure and function of

DNA. 7.3. Structure and function of RNA. 7.4. Genetic information.

T 8. DNA replication, recombination and repair. 8.1. DNA replication mechanisms. 8.2. DNA

damage and repair.

T 9. DNA transcription and RNA maturation. 9.1. RNA synthesis. 9.2. RNA maturation

mechanisms. 9.3. Regulation of transcription.

T 10. Translation.10.1. Genetic code. 10.2. Protein synthesis.

T 11. Recombinant DNA Technology.11.1. Gene cloning techniques. 11.2. Polymerase chain

reaction(PCR). 11.3. Techniques to obtain proteins from Recombinant DNA.

LAB_SESSIONS

P 1. Reagents preparation. P 2. Catalase enzymatic activity. P 3. Quantitative estimation of

proteins. P 4. Enzyme activity measurement of poliphenol oxidase. P 5. DNA isolation from

halophilic Archaea. Agarose gel electrophoresis. P 6. Gel-filtration chromatography. P 7.

Isolation of casein and lactose from milk.

26515 – CELLULAR BIOLOGY



Part I (PI): INTRODUCTION

1.1. Cell Biology as a fundamental subject of Biology. Concept, branches and interest of

study. 1.2. Cell types, according to the types of organisms: prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells,

eukaryotic cells of protists, of fungi, of metaphyta and of metazoa.

Unit 1 (U1): Aspects and points of view in the study of the living organisms: structure,

function and substrate; dimension, temporality and levels of complexity. Characteristics of

the living organisms.

Unit 2 (U2): Types of organisms. Classification from the ancient to modern systems: Linneo,

Haeckel, Copeland, Whitaker, Margulis and Woese et to. Composition of the organisms

through history (from the ancient theories up to the cellular theory). Concept and branches

of the Biology.


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Unit 3 (U3): Concept and general characteristics of the " not cellular biological objects "

(Orgel CITROENS): viruses, viroids, plasmids, transposable elements, prions, etc. Concept of

cell. The origin of life and the appearance of cells. Cell types attending to the storage of the

genome (prokaryotic and eukaryotic).

Unit 4 (U4): Concept and parts of the cell Biology. Relationship between Cell Biology and

other disciplines. The importance of the cellular Biology in the training of the biologist.

Recent Nobel Prizes related to Cell Biology. Perspectives of future.

Unit 5 (U5): Prokaryotic cells: General organization and types. Differences and similarities

between Bacterium and Archaea domains. Interest of the study. Eukaryotic cells (Eucarya

domain): General organization and types. Basic differences among protist, fungi, metaphyta

and metazoa cells.

PART 2 (P2): CELL MEMBRANES AND CYTOSOL

2.1. Structure, composition and function of the cell membranes. Cell membranes and

endomembranes. Membrane domain, cell covers and cellular compartments.

2.2. Cytosolic compartment: cytosol, ribosomes, protein synthesis and postransductional

changes. Stress proteins (chaperones, ubiquitin and proteasomes)

Unit 6 (U6): Cell membranes: Cell membrane and endomembranes. Chemical composition.

Properties and characteristics of their compounds. Models of molecular organization.

Properties. Fluidity, asymmetry and diffusion of molecules. Similarities and differences

among cellular membranes in different types of organisms.

Unit 7 (U7): Functions of the cellular membranes: separation, exchange and transport, cell

signaling, metabolic activities, etc. The cell covers in different organisms. Glycocalyx:

concept and chemical composition. Concept and types of cell wall according to the

organisms. Sythesis and renewal.

Unit 8 (U8): Hyaloplasm or cytosol. Concept and chemical composition. Physical,

biochemical and morphologic characteristics. Functional meaning. Proteins of the cytosol.

The ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic system. Proteasomes. Chaperones. Hyaloplasm in

different types of organisms.

Unit 9 (U9): Ribosomes: Concept, types, structure and composition. Differences between

ribosomes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Mitochondria and cloroplasts ribosomes.

Biogenesis of ribosomes. Protein synthesis. Functional meaning. Types of RNA and cellular

RNP and their functional meaning. MicroRNA (miRNA).

Unit 10 (U10): Substrate of the genetic information of the cell. Chromosomes in eukaryotic

cells and genophores in prokaryotics. Structure, types and molecular composition. Study

strategies. The karyotype of eukaryotic cells.

PART 3 (P3): CYTOSKELETON AND DIFFERENTIATION OF THE CELL SURFACE

3.1. Cytoskeleton or cytomusculature?. Associate proteins. Microtubular organelles.

3.2 Specialization of the cell surface. Cell adhesion mechanisms and molecules.


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Unit 11 (T11): Cytoskeleton (or cytomusculature): Basic elements and study strategies. The

concept of "microtrabecular network". Actin: monomeric actin (G-actin) and MreB's

presence in prokaryotes. Actin microfilaments (F-actin). Actin-associated proteins, chemical

composition, location and functional meaning. Actin polimerization/depolimerization

mechanisms . Functional meaning.

Unit 12 (U12): Microtubules: Structure, types and location. Composition: tubulin

heterodimers (alpha, beta and gamma tubulin) in eukaryotic cells and FtsZ's presence in

prokariotic. Microtubules polimerization/depolimerization mechanisms. Microtubules –

associated proteins (MAPs), structural and motor (kinesin and dynein). Functional meaning.

Unit 13 (U13): Microtubular structures or "organelles". Classification. Centriole and basal

corpuscles. Cilia and flagella. Ciliogenesis. Functional meaning. Intermediate filaments (IFs).

Structure, types and location. Composition: Proteins of the Ifs (keratin, vimentin, desmin,

GFAP, neurofilaments). Functional meaning.

Unit 14 (U14): Cell movement. Concept and types of movement. Functional meaning.

Muscle contraction.

Unit 15 (U15): Cellular differentiation that increase the cell surface: Microvilli,

invaginations, interdigitation and stereocilia. Functional meaning. Main cell types and

tissues with these kind of differentiation. The "barrier” concept in Cell Biology.

Unit 16 (U16): Mechanisms of cell junction. Classification. Families of Cellular Adhesion

Molecules (CAMs): Cadherins, immunoglobulin, selectins, "mucins", integrins, ADAMs.

Specialized cell junctions, characteristics and meaning.

PART 4 (P4): CELL ENDOMEMBRANES

4.1. Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, vesicle and proteins transport, endosome

system and peroxisomes. Intracelluar import.

4.2. Mitochondria and exchange of matter and energy.

Unit 17 (U17): Membrane trafficking in the cell. Endomembrane system. Concept and

discussion of nomenclature. Components. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) smooth (SER) and

rough (RER). Composition, structure, location, functional meaning and study techniques.

Biogenesis of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Unit 18 (U18): Golgi complex. Concept, location and study techniques. Structure,

composition and polarization of its compounds. Functional meaning. Biogenesis. Cellular

secretion and membrane refill. Vesicle transport. Vesicle coat: clathrin and COP. SNARE

proteins.

Unit 19 (U19):Endosome system. Lisosomes. Concept, types and structure. Chemical

composition. Participation in digestion. Peroxisomes and other related organelles. Concept

of GERL and CURL systems.

Unit 20 (U20): Intracellular storage of substances or paraplasmas. Lipid deposits.

Intracellular glucids.Protein deposits. Pigments and mineral substances. Classification and

characteristics of the intracellular inclusions. Functional meaning.

Unit 21 (U21): Mitochondria (1). Structure and location. Molecular organization of the

mitochondrial memabrane. Composition of the mitochondrial compartments and matrix.


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Intramitochondrial inclusions. Study techniques.

Unit 22 (U22): Mitochondria (2). Bionergetics of the mitochondrion. Mitochondrial DNA.

Functions of the mitochondrion. Mitochondrial biogenesis. Symbiotic and episomic theory.

Plastids. Cloroplasts. Structure and molecular composition. Functional meaning. Biogenesis.

Other types of plastids.

Unit 23 (U23): Exchange of matter and energy with the environment: Basis of the cell

metabolism. Transport through the membrane. Transport of low molecular weight

substances. Transport of macromolecules and particles. Endocytosis and exocytosis. Cellular

basis of secretion.

PART 5 (P5): NUCLEUS AND CELLULAR RESPONSE

5.1. Nuclear compartments. Nucleus/cytoplasm transport. Cell cycle. Cellular

differentiation. 5.2. Cell viability, cell death and apoptosis. Cellular communication. Cancer.

Stem cells and regenerative medicine.

Unit 24 (U24): Gneral characteristics of the interphase nucleus: form, size, number,

situation. Nuclear envelope or karyotheca.:nuclear membrane, perinuclear space

and nuclear pores. Nuclear lamins, relation with the chromatin and effects of the

phosphorilation/dephosphorilation.

Nucleoplasm,

chromosomes and chromatin (eu - and heterocromatin).

Unit 25 (U25): Structure, composition and function of the nucleosome. Chromatin

condensation and decondensation. Nucleolus. Concept, structure and general

characteristics. Nucleolus-associated chromatin. Nucleolus organizer region (NOR).

Composition. Functional meaning. Transport of proteins between the cytoplasm and the

nucleus. Intranuclear inclusions.

Unit 26 (U26): Cell cycle. Concept, phases and control of the cell proliferation. Description

and comparison of the phases of mitosis and meiosis. Functional meaning. Concept and

mechanisms of the cell growth and differentiation. Cell viability. Cell death. Apoptosis.

Unit 27 (U27): Cellular communication. Electrical synapsis and chemical synapsis.

Cellular communication through channel receptors, G proteins-coupled receptors,

enzymatic receptors and through cell ahesion molecules. Second messengers system.

Cytonemes. Concept and types of neoplasia. Mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Concept and

types of stem cells. Stem cells and Regenerative and reparative medicine.

PRACTICES

1. LABORATORY SESSIONS

Practice 1 (P1): Foundations, components and use of the optical compound microscope.

Phase contrast, dark field. Physical parameters in optical microscopy.

Practice 2 (P2): Watching of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Watching of cell sizes.

Practice 3 (P3): Cell cycle. Mitosis's watching.

Practice 4 (P4): Foundations, components and use of the electronic microscope. Watching of

different cell types using electronic microscopy.


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2. CLINICAL SESSIONS

Practice 1 (PC1): Blood cells: Preparation of a blood smear. Identification of blood cells.

Agglutination reaction: Antigen - antibody. Blood groups.

Practice 2 (PC2): Male germ cells. Basic techniques for a basal semen analysis (seminogram).

Practice 3 (PC3): Clinical cytology. Exfoliative cytology in the early diagnosis of oncological

lesions.

Practice 4 (PC4): Introduction to cell culture.

26517 – PHYSICS


Ch1.- Biomechanics. Work and Energy.

1.1 General laws of motion.1.2 Work and power. 1.3 Kinetic and potential energy. Energy

Conservation. 1.4 Metabolic rate. Scaling laws.

Ch2.- Elastic properties of materials

2.1 Stress and Strain. 2.2 Elasticity in biological systems. 2.3 Allotropic laws. Scaling law.

Ch3.- Fluids

3.1 Static fluids. Archimedes principle. 3.2 Continuity equation. 3.3 Ideal fluids: Bernouilli

equation. Biological consequences.3.4 Viscosity. Poiseuille's law. 3.5 Circulatory system

in humans.

Ch4.- Surface phenomena.

4.1 Surface tension.4.2 Capillarity.4.3 Laplace law. Pulmonary surfactants.4.4 Ascension of

sap in trees.

Ch5.- Waves. Light and sound.

5.1 Description of an oscillatory motion. 5.2 Sound waves.5.3 Nature of light.

Electromagnetic spectrum. 5.4 Reflection and refraction. Lenses. Image formation.

Optical instruments.

Ch6.- Transport phenomena.

6.1 Particle diffusion. Osmosis.

6.2 Heat transport:

a.- Conduction

b.- Convection

c.- Radiation

6.3 Applications in Biology.

Ch7.- Bioelectromagnetism

7.1 Interaction between charged particles: Coulomb law. 7.2 Electric field, electric potential

energy and potential difference. 7.3 Magnetism. Magnetic field. 7.4 Nervous impulse.

Ch8.- Radioactivity. Biological effects of ionizing radiation.

8.1 Radioactivity. Radioactive decay. 8.2 Radioisotopes in Biology. Carbon dating. 8.3

Interaction of radiation with matter. 8.4 Dosimetry. Physical dose and biological dose.

26519 – INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN BIOLOGY 1st year



T1 Types of scientific research (basic, applied and technical). Bibliography.


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T2 Search and management of literature.

T3 Scientific collections as a source of information and biological databases

T4 Publication and evaluation of research results

T5 Features and application of the scientific method. Design of Experiments

T6 Planning scientific work

T7 Theory and practice of science communication I

T8 Basic rules for writing a scientific paper I

T9 Basic rules for writing a scientific paper II

T10 Basic rules for writing a scientific article III

T11 Introduction to scientific careers, scholarships, research centers.

T12. Development of research proposals.

T13. Theory and Practice of Scientific Communication II.

COMPUTER PRACTICAL SESSIONS

PO1. Handling of useful software for research in biology: Excel.

PO2. Computer Search engines of general and specialized bibliography.

PO3. Management references. Refworks.

PO4. Management of useful Internet databases for research in Biology.

PO5. Handling of useful software for research in biology: Power point.

PO6. Data Analysis.

PROBLEM-SOLVING SESSIONS

PB1. Critical analysis of scientific research articles ('research papers').

PB2. Design of Experiments in Biology I

PB3. Design of Experiments in Biology II students Exhibitions.

PB4. Writing articles (abstract).

PB5. Design of scientific posters.

PB6. Design of Powerpoint presentations (oral communication).

SEMINAR / WORK GROUP

Students will work in groups.

Seminar Activities:

S1 Introduction to CI2. Basic Bibliographic Search (UA resources)

S2 General search and literature

S3 Planning work group research. Gantt Chart.

S4 TeamWork Seminar I

S5 TeamWork Seminar II

S6 TeamWork Seminar III

S7 Analysis, discussion and presentation of results 1 Preparation of a research paper, poster

and PowerPoint presentation.

S8 Analysis, discussion and presentation of results 2 Statement of results within the group.

S9 SCIENTIFIC DAYS. Delivery of research seminars by the students.

Scientific conferences:

Non- simultaneous four-hour sessions, each of them of compulsory attendance for the


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corresponding students’ sub-groups. The research works of the the mentioned subgroups

will be presented. Formats: seminars, Powerpoint's presentations, posters, articles, etc.

TUTORIAL GROUP

Workteams. Planning activities. Development of the 'program' of a scientific conference,

monitoring and evaluation activities. Question solving.

TUT1: Creating groups (4-5 students). Presentation CI2.

TUT2: Gantt Chart (S3). List of bibliographic references with Vancouver standards (PO3).

TUT3 Organization of the Scientific Sessions. Delivery of abstract (PB4) and reviewing poster

(PB5).

SECOND YEAR-COURSES IN ENGLISH

26520 - HISTOLOGY 2nd year

THEORETICAL LESSONS (2015-16)

The contents of this course are divided into three major modules: module 1, dedicated

to the histology of the metazoan (animal histology), the module 2 dedicated to the study

of plant histology, and module 3, introduction to the organography. This third module

will be taught in practical sessions. The 30 units on the syllabus are grouped into 12

different thematic blocks.

MODULE 1 (M1) ANIMAL HISTOLOGY

BLOCK 1 (B1): INTRODUCTION.

UNIT 1 (T1): Introduction to embryology. Main stages in embryonic development. From

fertilization to trilaminar embryo.

Unit 2 (T2): General classification of the metazoans. General characteristics of

invertebrates and vertebrates.

Unit 3 (T3): The organization of cells in tissues. General classification of tissues. Critical

analysis of the concept of tissue. General catalogue of the mammalian cells.

BLOCK 2 (B2): EPITHELIAL TISSUES

Unit 4 (T4): Concept and general characteristics of the epithelia. Lining epithelium.

Histogenesis and histophysiology. Functional significance and interest of study. Unit 5

(T5): Epithelial cells (2). Exocrine and Endocrine glandular epithelia. Histogenesis and

histophysiology. Functional significance and interest of study.

BLOCK 3 (B3): TISSUES WITH TROPHIC AND MECHANICAL FUNCTION (TFTM)

Unit 6 (T6): Concept and classification of the TFTM. The cells of the connective tissues.

Similar cells and fibroblasts. Defensive cells (granulocytes, lymphocytes and histiocytes,

mast cells and macrophages). Histogenesis and histophysiology. Functional significance

and interest of study.

Unit 7 (T7): Varieties of ordinary connective tissues (mesenchymal, mucous, lax,

reticular, dense). Adipocytes. Brown fat and white fat. Histogenesis. Functional

significance and interest of study.


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Unit 8 (T8): The extracellular matrix (ECM). Concept and parts. Ground substance:

glycosaminoglycans and the ECM adhesion molecules. Fibers of the ECM: collagen and

reticulin and elastic fibers. Physical, chemical features, location, functional significance

and interest of the components of the ECM.

BLOCK 4 (B4): (2) TFTM SKELETAL TISSUES

Unit 9 (T9): Concept of cartilage and cartilage tissue. Chondrocytes, structural and

functional characteristics. Extracellular matrix. Types of cartilage tissue. Location,

histogenesis, functional significance and interest of study.

Unit 10 (T10): concept of bone and bone tissue. Osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts,

structural and functional characteristics. Bone matrix. Types of bone tissue and location.

Compact and spongy bone tissue. Haversian systems, circumferential systems,

Volkmann’s canals.

Unit 11 (T11): Bone Histogenesis. Intramembranous ossification. Endochondral

ossification. Growth and bone remodeling. Bone regeneration. Histophysiology of the

bone. Functional significance and interest of study.

Block 5 (B5): MUSCLE TISSUE

Unit12 (T12): Concept of muscle and muscle tissue. Classification of muscle tissues.

Smooth muscle tissue and varieties. Striated cardiac muscle tissue. Heart conduction

system. Organization and distribution. Histogenesis. Functional significance and interest

of study.

Unit 13 (T13): Skeletal striated muscle cells. Skeletal myocytes. Types. Structure and

function. Differences with the cardiac myocytes. Histogenesis. Functional significance

and interest study.

BLOCK 6 (B6): NERVOUS TISSUE

Unit 14 (T14): Concept of nervous tissue. The cells of the nervous tissue. General

characteristics. The neuron. Concept and types, morphofunctional characteristics.

Histogenesis. Functional significance and interest of study.

Unit 15 (T15): Concept of neuroglia. Classification of the glial cells. Astrocytes,

oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells. Microglia. Schwann cells and similar cells. The nerve

fiber. Morphofunctional characteristics. Histogenesis. Functional significance and

interest of study.

Unit 16 (T16): Relations among cellular elements of the nervous tissue. The synapse.

Chemical and electrical synapses. Types of chemical synapses. The motor endplate.

Neurohistogenesis. Functional significance and interest of study.

MODULE 2 (M2): PLANT HISTOLOGY

BLOCK 7 (B7): INTRODUCTION TO THE PLANT HISTOLOGY. MERISTEMATIC TISSUES

Unit 17: Plant histology. The plant cell, structural and functional characteristics. Plant

tissues. Simple and compounds. Development of the seed plant. Mature embryo.


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Development of the embryo. Differentiation, specialization and Morphogenesis.

Unit 18 (T18): Meristematic tissues. Classification and general characteristics. Primary

meristem and its derivatives. Primary apical meristem. Intercalary meristems. Secondary

meristems. Vascular and interfascicular Cambium. Cork Cambium.

BLOCK 8 (B8): PROTECTIVE, PARENCHYMA and SECRETORY TISSUES Unit 19 (T19):

Primary protective tissues. Epidermis, hypodermis and endodermis. Secondary

protective tissues. Suber. Phellogen. Periderm. Rhytidome and bark. Lenticels.

Unit 20 (T20): Parenchyma: Characteristics and origin. Types of parenchyma. Content,

shape, layout cell. Internal secretory tissues. Ground tissues. Collenchyma.

Sclerenchyma. Cell types, distribution and structure.

Unit 21 (T21). Secretory tissues: concept. Internal secretory tissues: gomiferos, Laticifers

and resin ducts.

BLOCK 9 (B9): VASCULAR TISSUES AND PHLOEM

Unit 22 (T22): Vascular tissues. Xylem or leno. Primary xylem. Protoxylem and

metaxilem. Differentiation of the tracheal elements. Secondary xylem. Cell types. Basic

structure. Wood.

Unit 23 (T23): Phloem. Primary phloem. Secondary phloem. Cell types. Basic structure.

Transport systems in plants. Apoplastic and symplastic transport. Movement of water

and ions in xylem and phloem. Introduction to plant organography. Root and stem. The

leaf and flower. Reproductive organs. Seeds.

MODULE 3 (M3): INTRODUCTION TO THE ANIMAL ORGANOGRAPHY

BLOCK 10 (B10): MICROSCOPIC ORGANOGRAPHY OF METABOLIC SYSTEMS

Unit 24 (T24): Circulatory system. Structure, functional significance and interest of study.

Respiratory system. Structure, functional significance and interest of study. Unit 25

(T25): Digestive system. Structure, functional significance and interest of study.

Excretory system. Structure, functional significance and interest of study.

Block 11 (B11): MICROSCOPIC ORGANOGRAPHY OF THE SYSTEMS FOR THE CONTROL

AND ADJUSTMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Unit 26 (T26): Nervous system. Types, structure, functional significance and interest of

study. Sense organs. Types of sense organs. Structure, functional significance and

interest of study.

Unit 27 (T27): Endocrine system. Structure, functional significance and interest of study.

Unit 28 (T28): Concept and parts of the musculoskeletal system. Structure, functional

significance and interest of study.

BLOCK 12 (B12): MICROSCOPIC ORGANOGRAPHY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE AND

DEFENSIVE SYSTEM

Unit 29 (T29): Concept and types of reproductive tract. Male reproductive system.


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Structure, functional significance and interest of study. Female reproductive system.

Structure, functional significance and interest of study.

Unit 30 (T30): Teguments and its annexes. Types of teguments. Structure, functional

significance and interest of study. Hematopoietic and immune system. Structure,

functional significance and interest of study.

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

LAB SESSIONS

These practices are an introduction to the histological technique. Students will learn

about methods and techniques for processing materials, from animal and vegetable

organisms, and to observe them through different microscopes. In addition to this,

students will learn to interpret the histological sections.

Practice 1 (P1): Histological technique (1): collection and processing of samples for

microscopy. Techniques in histology. Preparation of material to be cut. Microtomy.

Sample stain with conventional techniques: hematoxylin-eosin.

Practice 2 (P2): histological technique (2): methods to detect substances in cells and

tissues: Histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and "in situ hybridization". Staining

with PAS technique and observation of samples processed by different

histochemical/immunohistochemical methods.

Practice 3 (P3): Histological technique (3): Observation and interpretation of histological

cuts. Lining epithelium and mucous membranes. Exchange of nutrients between the

organism and the environment: digestive and respiratory barriers. The skin and its

annexes. Glandular epithelium and secretion. Urinary epithelium

Practice 4 (P4): Histological technique (4): Preparation of samples for the study of plant

histology. Observation of samples in fresh and fixed material: pollen, trichomes,

epidermis and parenchyma, vascular, sclereids, etc. Introduction to the plant

organography.

CLINICAL SESSIONS

These practices are an introduction to the microscopic organography from a clinical

approach. The student will learn, in a reasoned way, the microscopic features of the

main organs.

Practice 5 (P5): Microscopic features of muscle and connective tissues. Major tissues and

organs involved in metabolism and body mass index. Metabolic disease as an example.

Practical exercises.

Practice 6 (P6): Biological basics and morphologic and microscopical features of the

control systems: (SN) nervous system and endocrine system. Cerebral and cerebellar

cortex. Spinal cord. Endocrine glands. Cerebral metabolism as an example.

Practice 7 (P7): Microscopic features of the circulatory system. The heart and blood

vessels. Observation of preparations of myocardium, veins, arteries, etc. Microscopic


20

features of the respiratory system. Observation of preparations for the histological

study of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

Practice 8 (P8): Microscopic features of the gastrointestinal tract. Basic differences of

the mucosa and other components of the wall of the digestive tract and its functional

significance. Microscopic structure of the liver and the pancreas. Functional meaning.

Microscopic features of the reproductive system. Structure, functional significance and

interest of study.

26521 - ECOLOGY 2nd year

THEORETICAL LESSONS

BLOCK 1. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING LIFE ON THE PLANET

UNIT 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE SCIENCE OF ECOLOGY. The ecosystem. The components of

the ecosystem and hierarchies. The scientific method in ecology.

UNIT 2. CLIMATE. The solar radiation. Endosomatic and exosomatic energy. The

atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Patterns of large-scale climate variations.

Microclimates.

UNIT 3. SOIL: The soil formation. Development of soil profiles. Types of soils. Properties of

soil and ecosystem functioning.

UNIT 4. TERRESTRIAL BIOMES. Patterns of large-scale climate variations. Climate diagrams.

Holdridge life zones. Tropical biomes.

UNIT 5. DRY AND TEMPERATE BIOMES: Desert, forest and Mediterranean scrub, grasslands

and temperate forests. COLD BIOMAS: Boreal forest, Tundra and mountains.

UNIT 6. THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT. Conditions in the aquatic environment. Oceans and

surface water: geography, structure, physical and chemical, and biology. Reefs and

seashores.

UNIT 7. FRESHWATERS AND COASTAL AREAS. Estuaries, salt marshes and mangroves:

geography, structure, physicochemical conditions, biology and human influence. Rivers,

streams, lakes, and wetlands.

BLOCK 2. ORGANISM-ENVIRONMENT RELATIONSHIP

UNIT 8. TEMPERATURE. The temperature and function of organisms. Temperature and

growth. Regulation and survival at extreme temperatures.

UNIT 9. WATER. Availability of water. Regulation of water in terrestrial environments.

Balance of water and salts in aquatic environments. The concept of stress.

UNIT 10. ENERGY AND NUTRIENTS. Energy sources: the use of light and CO2. The use of

organic and inorganic molecules. Energy flows. Limitations of use of energy.

BLOCK 3. FUNCTIONAL PROCESSES IN TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

UNIT 11. PRIMARY PRODUCTION IN AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL MEDIA. Chemosynthetic


21

and photosynthetic organisms. Types (bacteria, algae and plants). Efficiency. Photosynthesis

limiting factors: light, water, nutrients.

UNIT 12. PATTERNS OF PRIMARY PRODUCTION. Patterns of terrestrial and aquatic primary

production. Balance of carbon and net production in the ecosystem. Global distribution of

biomass and PPN: differences between biomes.

UNIT 13. SECONDARY PRODUCTION. Type of nutrition and efficiencies in the use of the

food. Secondary production efficiencies. Transfer and dissipation of energy. Animal

metabolism.

UNIT 14. DECOMPOSITION IN THE ECOSYSTEMS. The organic matter of the soil. Matter

recycling. Temporal and spatial variation. Decomposition rate. Regulation factors.

Decomposition on an ecosystem scale.

UNIT 15 TROPHIC STRUCTURE. Trophic chains. Trophic networks. Trophic systems based on

plants and detritus. Energy flows through the trophic levels. Ecological efficiencies.

Ecological pyramids.

UNIT 16. AGRICULTURAL AND URBAN ECOSYSTEMS FUNCIONING. Agro-ecosystems: types.

Sustainable agriculture. Water, nutrients and energy balances. Urban ecosystems.

Structure. Materials and energy balance. Future models.

BLOCK 4. LARGE-SCALE ECOLOGY

UNIT 17. LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY. Concept of landscape. The structure of the landscape:

descriptors. Ecotones. Fragmentation. Processes in the landscape: geology, climate.

Organisms. Anthropogenic disturbances.

UNIT 18. BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES. The hydrological cycle. The cycle of carbon, oxygen,

phosphorus, nitrogen and sulphur and acid rain. The air pollution and the decline of forests.

The dynamics of the ozone. The Gaia hypothesis.

UNIT 19. GLOBAL CHANGE. Climate change: the atmospheric layer and the greenhouse

effect. The ENSO and climate change models. The ozone hole. The child: Effects on marine

and terrestrial populations. Changes in coverage: tropical deforestation.

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

FIELD PRACTICALS

1.- THE FULL LIGHT / SHADE EFFECT IN MEDITERRANEAN MOUNTAINS. Structural

characterization of terrestrial ecosystems. Sampling field techniques for the functional

study of terrestrial ecosystems. Data and measures will be collected in the area of Maigmó

and Chirau plots.

2.- VERIFICATION OF THE GRADIENT OF SALINITY EFFECT IN COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND

ESTUARY OF RIVERS. Analysis and description of coastal ecosystems of the region.

Techniques of structural and functional measures in aquatic and coastal systems: coast of

Guardamar and mouth of the Segura (Guardamar). Data collection and field measurements.

LABORATORY SESSIONS:


22

1. Analysis and processing of samples taken during the field practical 1.

2. Analysis and processing of samples taken during the field practical 2.

3. Experiments and measurements of secondary production (2 h).

COMPUTER SESSIONS:

1. Processing and analysis of data obtained during the field practical 1and laboratory 1

2 .Processing and analysis of data obtained during the field practical 2 and laboratory 2

PROBLEMS SESSIONS:

Resolution of problems of ecology theory and relevant issues in ecology.

26523 – BOTANY 2nd year



Unit 1. Introduction and general matters (4 hours)

L1. Botany: basic contents. Brief history. The domain of Botany and its relationships with

other sciences. The boundaries of plant world. The plant species concept and speciation

processes. Botanical nomenclature and taxonomic categories.

L2. Life modes in plant organisms. Autotrophy: photosynthetic pigments and reserve

substances; taxonomic significance. Diversity and evolution of plastids. Heterotrophy:

saprophytism, parasitism and symbiosis. Other mechanisms.

L3. Reproduction in plant organisms. Vegetative and spore-based propagation. Sexual

reproduction: gametangia and gametes. Special cases. Life cycles: types and meaning.

Nuclear phase and generations athermancy.

L4. Morphological levels of organization. Plant diversity: phylogenetic groups and lineages.

Unit 2. Level 'Protophytes' (2 hours)

L5. Structural types: coccal, monadal, coenobial, prototrichal and protocolonial. Prokaryotic

Protophytes: the beginning of aerobic life. Main characteristics and organization of the first

photoautotrophic organisms.

L6. Eukaryotic Protophytes: structural and morphological diversification. Special cell

coatings: mucilage, pellicles, frustules, and thecae. Value and evolutionary significance.

Unit 3. Level 'Thallophytes' (4 hours)

L7. The thallus: structure and diversification. Morphologial complexity and of life cycles.

L8. Heterotrophic Thallophytes. The plasmodium and the fungal mycelium: types and

modifications. The dikaryon phase: fibulation and uncinulation. Fungal fruitbodies. Case

study: parasitic fungi, mycorrhizae, and lichen symbiosis.

L9. Autotrophic Tallophytes. Evolutionary lineages and phylogenetic relationships: brown,

red and green algae. Modes of cell division, metabolic pathways and mobile cells in

Chlorophytes. Case study: Charophytes as precursors to land plants.


23

Unit 4. Level 'Protocormophytes' (2 hours)

L10. Terrestrial environment: adaptations to hostile conditions. Origin of land plants:

antithetic and homologous theories. Antheridium and archegonium: characteristics and

evolution. The embryo: evolutionary significance.

L11. Bryophytes: the poikilohydric lifestyle and the cycle with dominant gametophyte. Basic

corporal model: rhizoid, caulidium and phyllidium. The parasitic sporophyte. Origin and

evolution of bryophythes: structural changes in lineages.

Unit 5. Level 'Cormophytes' (10 hours)

L12. Vascular plants: Tracheophytes or Cormophytes: the homeohydric lifestyle and the

cycle with dominant sporophyte. Morphology of cormus: roots, stems and leaves. Theories

on the origin and evolution of cormus. Root types and modifications. Stem types and

modifications. Leaf types and modifications.

L13. Non-seed Cormophytes. Isospory and heterospory: microsporangium and

macrosporangium. Types of gametophytes: endosporic and exosporic development.

Evolutionary lineages: licophytic and monilophytic ferns.

L14. Seed plants: gymnosperms and angiosperms. Pollen and pollination agents. The ovule

primordium and the megaspore. Development of gametophytes and fertilization. Double

and simple fertilization.

L15. From the gymnosperm strobile to the angiosperm flower. Floral whorls (verticils):

perianth, androecium and gynoecium. Floral diagrams and formulas. Origin and evolution of

flower. Inflorescences: types and inter-relationships.

L16. Seed development and ripening. Seminal ancillary structures. Fruit development and

morphology; the pericarp. Typology of fruits and most representative examples.

Infrutescences. Peudocarps or false fruits.

L17. Dissemination or dispersal of diaspores. Dispersal systems: anemochory, hydrochory,

zoochory and autochory. Effect of anthropochory: ruderal plants and weeds. Seed

germination: processes and types. Viviparism or viviparity

L18. Ecomorphology of cormus. Adaptations to water availability, soil salinity, light and

temperature. Life forms or biotypes. Totally or partially heterotrophic Cormophytes:

parasitic, insectivorous and humicolous plants.

Unit 6. Introduction to Geobotany (3 hours)

L19. Factors conditioning plant life. Bioclimatology: biomes and macrobioclimates of the

World. Phytogeography: basis concepts. Flora: autochthonous and allochthonous plants.

Floristic kingdoms of the World. Chorological sectorization of the Iberian Peninsula.

L20. Vegetation science: basic concepts. Phytosociology: the plant association. Dynamics of

vegetation: plant succession and vegetation series. Phytotopography or Landscape science.

Zonation and catenae.

FIELD WORK

Two field excursions are programmed, both to be realized preferably after accomplishing


24

lectures of the Second unit: 1. Cabo de las Huertas (4 hours). 2. Campus of San Vicente and

Bosque ilustrado (5 hours).

LABORATORY SESSIONS

(6 sessions of 3 hours each).

PR 1. Vegetative and reproductive structures in the main groups of Algae. (3 hours)

Learning objectives: Identification and recognition of the major vegetative (morphology and

anatomy) and reproductive (sexual and asexual) structures of a number of different groups

of brown, red and green algae. Recognition of the principal tallophytic levels of cellular

organization will also be studied from representative genera of those groups.

Material required: binocular and light microscopes with adapted camera, computer and LCD

projector, specialized literature, preserved and fresh samples.

PR 2. Vegetative and reproductive structures in fungi. (3 hours)


anatomy) and reproductive (sexual and asexual) structures of different groups of both

macroscopic and microscopic fungi. Special emphasis will be placed on the analysis of

morphological characters of macroscopic fruitful bodies (ascocarps and basidiocarps), on

the basis of representative genera of Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes.



PR 3. Vegetative and reproductive structures of the lichenized fungi. (3 hours)


anatomy) and reproductive (sexual and asexual) structures of the lichenized fungi or

lichens, from representative genera of the various life forms in Ascolichenes.



PR 4. Vegetative and reproductive structures in non-seed Embryophytes. (3 hours)

Learning objectives: Identification and recognition of the major vegetative structures of the

Protocormophytic organization level (Protocormophytes or bryophytes). Recognition of the

major reproductive structures of the most primitive land plants (archegonia and antheridia),

based on examples from various families of bryophytes and ferns.



PR 5. Structure of cormus: roots, stems and leaves. (3 hours)

Learning objectives: Identification and recognition of the main types of root systems, stems

and leaves, on the basis of the larger groups of Cormophytes (ferns, gymnosperms,

angiosperms, monocots and eudicots). In addition, the principal modifications found in

these structures mainly as a response to environmental changes will also be studied, on the

basis of representative genera of different families.


25



PR 6. Reproductive structures of the seed plants: flowers, fruits and seeds. (3 hours)

Learning objectives: Identification and recognition of various types of inflorescences, floral

verticils (perianth, androecium and gynoecium), fruits and seeds, from a selection of

families of spermatophytes (gymnosperms and angiosperms).



26524 - MICROBIOLOGY 2nd year

Theoretical and practical contents

THEORETICAL LESSONS

Unit 1. Microbiology. Concept of microbiology. History of microbiology. Abundance and

importance of microorganisms. Classification. The three domains. Taxonomy and

phylogeny. Molecular chronometers. Evolution and diversity of microorganisms. (3 hours)

Unit 2. Structure and function of prokaryotic cell. Morphology. Prokaryotic organelles and

cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic membrane of prokaryotes. Cell walls of prokaryotes. External

structures. Mobility in prokaryotes. The bacterial endospore. (5 hours)

Unit 3. Microbial metabolism. Sources of carbon and energy. Metabolic categories.

Respiration. Fermentation. Photosynthesis in prokaryotes. Chemolithotrophy. Autotrophy.

Fixation of nitrogen (3 hours)

Unit 4. Microbial growth. Cell division in prokaryotes. Continuous culture and discontinuous

culture. Factors that influence growth. Control of microbial growth. Culture media. Sterile

technique. Extremophiles. Strategies of survival in prokaryotes. (3 hours)

Unit 5. Genetics of prokaryotes. The prokaryote genome. Chromosomes and plasmids.

Genomics and metagenomics. Horizontal transfer mechanisms: transformation,

conjugation, and transduction. Transposable elements. Genetic manipulation of

microorganisms. (4 hours)

Unit 6. Domain Bacteria. Diversity and phylogeny of the domain Bacteria. Applied and

environmental importance. Phylum Cyanobacteria. Phylum Proteobacteria. Phylum

spirochaete. Phylum Bacteroidetes. Phylum Actinobacteria. Phylum Chlamydiae. Phylum

Firmicutes. Phylum Tenericutes. Other phyla. (12 hours)

Unit 7. Domain Archaea. Diversity and phylogeny of the domain Archaea. Applied and

environmental importance. Phylum Euryarchaeota. Phylum Nanohaloarchaeota. Phylum

Nanoarchaeota. Phylum Crenarchaeota. Phylum Thaumarchaeota. Other phyla. (3 hours)


26

Unit 8. Micro-organisms in the domain Eukarya. Microscopic fungi and protozoa. Applied

importance. (2 hours)

Unit 9. Virus. General properties of the virus. Replication strategies and synthesis of

components. Viruses of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Reproductive cycles. Techniques for

the study of virus. Clinical and applied importance of viruses. Subviral agents. (3 hours)

PRACTICAL LESSONS

Practice 1. Preparation of culture media. Preparation, sterilization and dispensation of the

culture media used in practices.

Practice 2. Techniques of isolation, seeding, and incubation of microorganisms. Sowing by

exhaustion and triple flute. Effects of temperature and lack of oxygen in the incubation.

Practice 3. Ubiquity of microorganisms. Take samples of throat, skin, surface, air, soil and

ambient culture suspension.

Practice 4. Sterility and contamination. Evaluation of boiling and radiation UV as

disinfectants or sterilizing methods.

Practice 5. Bacterial growth. Curve of bacterial growth and cell counting.

Practice 6. Effect of antibiotics on growth and aeration. Comparison of the growth with

different conditions of aeration and addition of different antibiotics.

Practice 7. Bacterial identification. Characterization of an organism problem through the

analysis of their metabolism, Physiology and structure (observation through the fresh and

Gram stain microscopic).

Practice 8. Evaluation of antimicrobial agents. Analysis of bacterial resistance to different

compounds according to the formation of growth inhibition halos.

Practice 9. Infection by bacteriophages. Formation of bald spots of Lysis.

26526 – BIOCHEMISTRY II 2nd year


THEORETICAL LESSONS

BLOCK 1: INTRODUCTION AND CONCEPTS OF METABOLISM

Unit 1. Introduction to metabolism. Major metabolic pathways. Metabolic control.

Organization of metabolic reactions: characteristics of metabolism, metabolic sequences,

basic concepts. Metabolic flux. Reactions approaching equilibrium. Non-equilibrium

reactions . Cycles of substrate. Interconversion cycles. Metabolic control analysis:

coefficient of control flow, elasticity, theorem of connectivity, coefficients of response.

Sensitivity in metabolic regulation. Unit 2. Biosignaling. Hormones. Receptors. Protein G.

Secondary messengers: cyclic AMP, Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Calmodulin:

structure and function. Other messengers. Protein kinases. Determination of specificity.

Spatial and temporal distribution. Tyrosine kinases: Structure and function. Histidine and

aspartate kinases: structure and function. Molecular adhesives: SH2 and SH3 domains.

Domains of hormonal response. Functional diversity of the HREs. Hormones binding to

intracellular receptors. Hormones binding to cell surface receptors. Enhancers. Zinc finger

proteins.


27

BLOCK 2: METABOLIC PATHWAYS AND THEIR REGULATION.

Unit 3. Metabolism of carbohydrates. Catabolism. Generalities. Reactions of Glycolysis.

Catabolism of other hexoses rather than glucose. Metabolic destinations of Pyruvate.

Electronic and energy balance. Degradation of glycogen: Glycogenolysis. Glycogen

phosphorylase. Debranching of glycogen. The pentose phosphate pathway. Unit 4. The

tricarboxylic acid cycle. Characteristics of the cycle. Metabolic origin of acetyl groups.

Regulation of Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Enzymatic reactions of the cycle. Energy

balance of the cycle. Anaplerotic pathways. Regulation of the cycle. Glyoxylate pathway.

Amphibolic nature of the Krebs cycle.

Unit 5. Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation. General scheme of electron

transport and oxidative phosphorylation. Localization. Key components of the

mitochondrial electron transport chain. Stoichiometry of the mitochondrial electron

transport chain. Oxidative phosphorylation: synthesis of ATP. Overall stoichiometry of

oxidative phosphorylation. Effect of inhibitors: disconnection of chain electron transport

and oxidative phosphorylation. Regulation of the production of ATP. Unit 6.

Photophosphorylation. General diagram of photosynthesis. Light phase: location,

absorption of light, functional devices, electronic flow, photophosphorylation, cyclic

electronic flow. Photosynthetic bacteria. Unit 7. Biological fixation of carbon. Cycle of the

carbon in the biosphere. Routes of the Calvin cycle: production and recovery phases.

Destination of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. Control of the Calvin cycle.

Photorespiration. The 4 cycle in plants.

Unit 8. Biosynthesis of carbohydrates. Gluconeogenesis. Gluconeogenic intermediates.

Biosynthesis of glycogen: glycogen synthase. Glycogen branching. UDP-glucose

pyrophosphorylase. Starch and sucrose biosynthesis, glycoproteins, and Peptidoglycan.

Unit 9. Regulation of oxidation and synthesis of carbohydrates. Control systems at glucolitic,

gluconeogenic, glucogenogenic and glucogenolitic routes. Effect of hormonal regulation on

limiting flow enzymes of the pathways. Regulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Effect of

hormonal regulation on limiting flow enzymes or the cycle. The assimilation of carbon

regulation. Unit 10. Lipid metabolism: catabolism. Oxidative catabolism. Mobilization of

fatty acids: absorption, transport, storage and use of lipids. Fatty acid oxidation. Energy

balance. Oxidation in peroxisomes and glyoxysomes. Ketone bodies.

Unit 11. Lipid metabolism: biosynthesis. Biosynthesis of fatty acids: stages, reactions and

overall stoichiometry of the process. Elongation of fatty acids. Synthesis of unsaturated

fatty acids. Synthesis of Eicosanoids. Synthesis of triacylglycerols and glycerophospholipids.

Synthesis of sphingolipids. Synthesis of cholesterol.

Unit 12. Regulation of lipid metabolism. Regulation of oxidation and biosynthesis of fatty

acids. Regulation of the synthesis of triacylglycerols and phospholipids. Effect of hormonal

regulation on limiting enzymes of flow in lipogenesis and lipolysis. Regulation of arachidonic

acid metabolism. Regulation of cholesterol synthesis. Unit 13. Protein and amino acid

metabolism: catabolism. Digestion of proteins. Intracellular protein degradation.

Catabolism of amino acids: deamination. Urea cycle, energy balance regulation. Other


28

forms of nitrogen excretion. Destination of the carbon skeleton. Regulation of amino acid

catabolism. Unit 14. Amino acid metabolism: biosynthesis of amino acids and nitrogen

fixation. The nitrogen cycle. Importance of nitrogen: conservation of atmospheric nitrogen

in other equivalent forms. Nitrogen fixation. The nitrogenase complex. Regulation of

nitrogen fixation. Biosynthesis of nonessential amino acids: origin of the carbon skeleton.

Biosynthesis of essential amino acids. Regulation of the biosynthesis of amino acids. Unit

15. Nucleotide metabolism. De novo synthesis of purine nucleotide. Regulation. Synthesis

of pyrimidine nucleotides. Regulation. Synthesis of ribonucleotides di - and tri-phosphate.

Synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides. Recovery of purine pathways. Nucleotide catabolism.

Purine degradation. Pyrimidine degradation. Unit 16. Metabolic integration.

Interdependence of the major organs. Metabolism of fuels in vertebrates. Pathways

involved in the feed-fast cycle and rest-exercise states. Hormonal regulation of metabolism

of fuels. Response to metabolic stress: starvation, diabetes and exercise (sprint and

marathon).

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

Practice 1: isolation of c-cytochrome from the heart and spectroscopic characteristics.

Practice 2: isolation and properties of yeast RNA

Practice 3: isolation of alpha amylase and determination of enzyme activity Practice 4:

isolation and hydrolysis of glycogen

26528 – PLANT BIODIVERSITY 2nd year

Theorical and Practical contents

THEORETICAL LESSONS

BLOCK I. TAXONOMY AND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS

Unit 1. Basic concepts: Taxonomy and Systematics. Classification systems: past and present.

BLOCK II. BIODIVERSITY AND PHYLOGENY OF AQUATIC PHOTOSYNTHETIC ORGANISMS OF

THE KINGDOMS PROTOZOA AND CHROMISTA

Unit 2. Kingdom Protozoa. Major groups (Euglenozoa). Diagnostic characteristics and

ecology. Phylogenetic relationships.

Unit 3. Kingdom Chromista. Main groups: Dinophyta and Heterokontophyta; mention of

Prymnesiophyta and Cryptophyta. Diagnostic characteristics and ecology. Phylogenetic

relationships.

BLOCK III. BIODIVERSITY AND PHYLOGENY OF AQUATIC PHOTOSYNTHETIC ORGANISMS:

ALGAE OF THE KINGDOM PLANTAE

Unit 4. Phylogenetic relationships in the Kingdom Plantae. Major groups. Div. Rhodophyta

(red algae). Diagnostic characteristics and ecology. Phylogeny and major groups.

Unit 5. Div. Chlorophyta and Charophyta (the green algae). Diagnostic characteristics and


29

ecology. Phylogeny and major groups.

BLOCK IV. BIODIVERSITY AND PHYLOGENY OF LAND PLANTS: THE EMBRYOPHYTES

(KINGDOM PLANTAE)

Unit 6. Origin of terrestrial plants: main theories. Identification of the predecessor group of

land plants. Evidences. Theories of colonisation of the land.

Unit 7. Non-vascular Embriophytes. Bryophytes: mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.

Diagnostic characteristics and ecology. Phylogeny and major groups.

Unit 8. Traqueophytes spread through spores. Phylogeny and major groups: Lycophyta and

Monilophyta (ferns). Lycophyta: diagnostic features and ecology.

Unit 9. Traqueophytes spread through spores. Monilophyta or ferns: major groups.

Diagnostic characteristics and phylogenetic relationships.

Unit 10. Spermatophytes. Gymnosperms. Diagnostic characteristics and ecology. Major

groups and phylogenetic relationships.

Unit 11. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms. Basal Angiosperms and the Magnolidas group.

Phylogeny and leading families. Diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Unit 12. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms. Monocots I. Phylogeny and main families.

Diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Unit 13. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms. Monocots II. Phylogeny and main families.

Diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Unit 14. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms. Basal group of the eudicotyledons. Phylogeny and

main family (Papaveraceae and Ranunculaceae). Diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Unit 15. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms. The core of the eudicotyledons: the order

Saxifragales and the clade of Fabidae. I. Filogenia and main family (Crassulaceae,

Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and Salicaceae). Diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Topic 16. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms. The core of the eudicotyledons: the clade of

Fabidae II. Phylogeny and main family (Fagaceae, Rosaceae, Rhamnaceae, Ulmaceae,

Moraceae and Urticaceae). Diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Unit 17. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms. The core of the eudicotyledons: the clade Malvidae.

Phylogeny and main family (Malvaceae, Cistaceae, Brassicaceae, Rutaceae, Anacardiaceae

and Geraniaceae). Diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Unit 18. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms. The core of the eudicotyledons: the order

Caryophylalles (I). Phylogenetic relationships and main family (Caryophyllaceae, Cactaceae)

diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Unit 19. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms the nucleus of the eudicotyledons: the order

Caryophylalles (II). Main family (Amaranthaceae, Plumbaginaceae and Tamaricaceae)

phylogenetic relationships. Diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Unit 20. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms. The core of the eudicotyledons: the clade Asteridae

(I): the Lamiidae subclade. Phylogeny and main family (Lamiaceae, Oleaceae, Solanaceae,

Convolvulaceae, Apocynaceae and Rubicaceae). Diagnostic characteristics and ecology.

Unit 21. Spermatophytes. Angiosperms the nucleus of the eudicotyledons: the clade


30

Asteridae (II): the order Ericales, subclade Campanulidae. Phylogeny and main family

(Ericaceae, Apicaceae, Asteraceae and Caprifoliaceae). Diagnostic characteristics and

ecology.

BLOCK V. CONSERVATION OF FLORA

Unit 22. Conservation of flora I. regional and national legislation. Threatened flora red

books. Categories and IUCN criteria.

Unit 23. Conservation of flora II. In situ conservation and ex situ techniques. Conservation

genetics. Examples of conservation of flora in the Valencian Community.

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

P. 1. Aquatic photosynthetic multicellular organisms: recognition the main species of the

coast of Alicante. (3 hours)

Recognition and determination of the main multicellular organisms on the Alicante coast.

Main genres of the taxonomic groups: Div. Rhodophyta, Div. Chlorophyta and fam.

Phaeophyceae

Necessary equipment: binocular loupes, microscopes, camera adapted to Magnifier,

computer and projector, specialist literature, preserved and live material.

Objectives: Identify the morphological features to distinguish the main aquatic organisms

in Mediterranean coast. Basics of organism determination by using dichotomous key.

P.2. Plants spread through spores: recognition of the major groups. (2 hours)

Recognition and determination of the main organisms spread by spores: Bryophytes, ferns

and lycophites.



Training objectives: Identify the morphological features to distinguish the main genres that

are present in the Iberian peninsula. Basics of organism determination by using

dichotomous key.

P. 3. Gymnosperms. Recognition of the principal groups. (2 hours)

Identify the morphological characters necessary to distinguish between large groups of

spermatophytes. Special emphasis in the taxonomic groups of Gymnosperms, and especially

in the genera present in our flora: Pinus and Juniperus Ephedra genres used in gardening

will also be identified.



Training objectives: Identification of vegetative and reproductive structures of the major

groups. Management of the dichotomous keys

P.4. Angiosperms I. recognition of main groups. (2 hours)

Students will work with the major groups of Angiosperms, families that have a wide


31

representation in our flora.

Brassicaceae and Papaveraceae families

Necessary equipment: binocular loupes, Magnifier, computer and projector, specialist

literature, preserved material and live.


groups. Management of dichotomous keys.

P.5. Angiosperms II. Recognition of the main groups. (2 hours)

Leguminosae, Cistaceae Families


literature, preserved material and live.



P.6. Angiosperms III. Recognition of the main groups. (2 hours)

Labiatae and Liliaceae families


literature, preserved and live material.



P. 7. Angiosperms IV. Recognition of the principal groups. (2 hours)

Asteraceae and Malvaceae families





P. 8. Angiosperms V. recognition of main groups. (3 hours)

Poaceae and Euphorbiaceae families





FIELD PRACTICALS (2 sessions)

-Dunes and salt marshes of Urbanova (Alicante)

-Alicante mountains at the biological station of Torretes (Ibi)

26529 – PLANT PHYSIOLOGY: NUTRITION, TRANSPORT AND METABOLISM 2nd year

THEORETICAL LESSONS

MODULE I: INTRODUCTION

UNIT 1. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY. PLANT CELLS: Concept and contributions of plant physiology.


32

The origin of vascular plants. Plant cells. The cell wall.

MODULE II: WATER AND PLANT NUTRITION

UNIT 2. PLAN WATER RELATIONS: Importance of water in plants. Water potential and its

components. Osmotic characteristics of plant cells. Water flow in plants.

UNIT 3. ABSORPTION AND TRANSPORT OF WATER: Water from the soil and its availability

to the plant. Absorption and transport of water from the roots. Xylem via. Cohesion Theory.

Water exchange between the xylem and other tissues.

UNIT 4. PERSPIRATION: Occlusive cells. Ion flows in Occlusive cells. Internal and external

factors that affect the stomatal opening. Nature of perspiration. Functions of perspiration.

Antiperspirants.

UNIT 5. MINERAL NUTRITION: History and general information. Accessories and essential

elements. Nutrient solutions. Metabolism and function of mineral elements. Relationship

between mineral nutrition and growth. Mineral deficiencies.

UNIT 6. ABSORPTION AND TRANSPORT OF NUTRIENTS FROM THE ROOT: The root as an

organ of absorption. Transport via Apoplast and symplast. Forces acting on the ions.

Transport mechanism. Foliar uptake.

MODULE III. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY METABOLISM

UNIT 7. CHLOROPLASTS AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS: The spectrum of solar radiation.

Structure of the chloroplasts. Structural organization of the thylakoid membranes. Structure

and distribution of photosynthetic pigments.

UNIT 8. LIGHT ENERGY CAPTURE: History and general information. Photoexcitation of

photosynthetic pigments. Photosynthetic electron transport system: z-scheme. The

photolysis of water. Photophosphorylation. Photo-oxidative stress.

UNIT 9. CARBON DIOXIDE FIXATION, BIOSYNTHESIS OF PHOTOASSIMILATES AND

PHOTORESPIRATION: Fixation and reduction of CO2: Calvin cycle. Synthesis of sucrose and

its regulation. Starch synthesis and its regulation. Photorespiration.

UNIT 10. MECHANISMS OF CO2 CONCENTRATION: C4 plants. Kranz anatomy. Cycle of Hatch

and Slack. Physiological significance of the C4 cycle. Plants and cycle CAM. Intermediate

plants. Other mechanisms of CO2 concentration.

UNIT 11. FACTORS THAT REGULATE PHOTOSYNTHESIS: Influence of radiation. Influence of


33

carbon dioxide and oxygen. Influence of temperature and water. Internal factors.

UNIT 12. PHLOEM TRANSPORT: The phloem as a driver of solutes: sources and sinks. Nature

of the transported substances. Characteristics of the transport. Loading and unloading of

the phloem. Transport mechanisms. Environmental factors.

UNIT 13. NITROGEN AND SULFUR ASSIMILATION: The nitrogen cycle and the plants.

Biological nitrogen fixation. The legume-rhizobia symbiosis. Assimilative nitrate reduction.

The sulfur cycle. Assimilative sulfate reduction. Function and metabolism of glutathione.

UNIT 14. PLANT RESPIRATION: The respiration process. Glycolysis and fermentation. Plant

mitochondria. Krebs cycle. The electron transport chain. Oxidative phosphorylation. The

cyanide-resistant respiration. Cycle of the pentose phosphate. Factors that affect

respiration.

UNIT 15. SPECIALIZED METABOLISM: Primary and secondary metabolism. Terpenes.

Phenols. Lipids. Alkaloids. Applications of secondary metabolites.

MODULE IV. PHYSIOLOGY IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS

UNIT 16. PHYSIOLOGY IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS: Phases induced by stress. Stressing agents.

Plant responses to stress. Abiotic and biotic stress.

PRACTICAL SESSIONS

LAB SESSIONS

P. 1. Water potential determination of a plant tissue

P. 2. Osmotic potential determination of a plant tissue

P. 3. Water transport in plant: measurement of the intensity of transpiration and

determination of stomata’s opening and closing.

P. 4. Effects of water and mineral elements on growth and development of plants

P. 5. Determination of photosynthetic pigments

P. 6. Determination of starch: dependence of light

P. 7. Influence of environmental factors on the permeability of plant membranes and

secondary metabolism

PROBLEMS SESSIONS: Students will discuss the resolution of several representative

problems related to the contents of theory.

GROUP TUTORIALS

THIRD YEAR-COURSES IN ENGLISH

26531 – ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES 3rd year

Course Competences


34

Theoretical Skills

CE3: Understand and apply mathematical and statistical methods for validating models

from experimental data applied to Biology.

CE7: Understand evolutionary mechanisms and models.

CE9: Identify organisms and interpret the diversity of species in the environment, as well as

their origin, evolution and behaviour.

CE10: Understand the fundamentals of the regulation of vital functions of organisms

through internal and external factors and identify mechanisms for adapting to the

environment.

CE23: Analyse the components of the physical environment: hydric, atmospheric and

terrestrial and their relationship with the biotic environment.

CE24: Acquire the basic knowledge to analyse the structure and dynamics of populations.

CE25: Relate the different interactions between species in the working of ecosystems.

CE26: Acquire the basic knowledge to analyse the structure and dynamics of communities.

Practical Skills

CE31: Recognise and implement good scientific P.s for measurement and experimentation.

CE34: Plan, design and execute practical research studies, evaluating the results.

CE35: Interpret data gathered from observation and measurement in the laboratory and the

field.

CE47: Characterise, manage, conserve and restore populations, communities and

ecosystems.


THEORETICAL CONTENT

Evolutionary Ecology. Population Dynamics. Spatial distribution. Habitat selection.

Interactions between species: competition. Exploitation. Positive interactions. Indirect

interactions. Organization of communities in space and in time. Diversity and complexity.

Diversity and function. Stability and resilience.

26532 – GENERAL INMUNOLOGY



The contents of this course are divided into five thematic blocks:

Block 1 (B1). Concepts. Molecules, cells and tissues of the immune system. Ontogeny.

Unit 1 (T1)- History of Immunology. Definition of immunology. Basic concepts and general

aspects. Innate immunity and acquired immunity. General properties of the immune

system. Phylogeny of the immune system.

Unit 2 (T2) .-Cells of the immune system: structural and functional characteristics.

Hematopoiesis. Lymphoid cells. Non lymphoid stem cells.

Unit 3 (T3) .-Leukocyte markers in differentiation. CD nomenclature. T Cells: molecular

markers of differentiation and activation. B Cell: molecular markers of differentiation and

activation. NK cells: molecular markers of differentiation and activation. Molecular markers

of differentiation in other immune system cells: macrophages, granulocytes, mastocytes,


35

and platelets. Ontogeny of the immune system.

Unit 4 (T4). - Lymphoid tissue: primary lymphoid organs. Secondary lymphoid organs.

Lymphocyte recirculation.

Block 2 (B2). Antibodies (Ab). B cell receptor. Genetic rearrengement. Antigen (Ag). Antigen-

Antibody reaction.

Unit 5 (T5) -B: Immunoglobulins: B- cell Antigen receptors. Isotypes, allotype and idiotype.

General functions of immunoglobulins: primary and secondary immune response. Biological

properties of the different types of inmunoglobulins: structure and function of BCR.

Unit 6 (T6) -Genetics of immunoglobulins. Theories about the genesis of antibodies. The

immunoglobulin genes. Genetic rearrangement mechanism. Importance of conserved

sequences. Enzymes involved. Regulation of the reorganization process. Recombination

signal sequence. Immunoglobulin class switching or isotype switching. Diversity and affinity

maturation of immunoglobulins. Synthesis of immunoglobulins: allelic exclusion process.

Secreted Immunoglobulins vs. Membrane immunoglobulins.

Unit 7 (T7). - Antigens: definition and physical-chemical characteristics. ImmunoGen,

hapten, adjuvant, epitope/antigenic determinant. Immunogenicity. Mitogens.

Superantigens. Antigen-antibody interaction: spatial complementarity.

Block 3 (B3). Major histocompatibility (MHC) complex. Lymphocyte T receptor Phagocytic

cells and NK cells receptors. Antigen presentation.

Unit 8 (T8). - Major histocompatibility complex: HLA/MHC system. Importance. Molecular

structure and function. Structure, distribution and function of HLA class I and class II

molecules. Genetic organization and inheritance pattern. Antigen processing. Nature of the

processed peptide: intracellular vs. extracellular peptides.

Unit 9 (T9). - Antigen receptors of T-cells (TCR) Antigen receptor structure. Structure and

gene organization of the TCR. Rearrangement and gene regulation of the TCR. Intrathymic

selection: importance of r αβ and γδ receptors in recognition of self peptides. The clonal

selection theory. Functions of T-cells with αβ TCR type. LT CD4 + and CD8 + LT. Functions

assigned to stem of cells with γδ TCR type.

Unit 10 (T10) . Types of granulocytes receptors. Types of receptors in the cells of the

monocyte / macrophage system. Types of NK cell receptors. Functions assigned to each of

these leukocyte populations.

Unit 11 (T11) .-Antigen presentation. Immunological Synapse. Lymphocyte activation. Co-

receptor and other accessory molecules involved. Biochemistry of lymphocyte activation.

Second messengers. Phosphorylation of proteins. Transcription factors. Activation and

differentiation of lymphocyte T helper and T cytotoxic (LTc), B lymphocyte and NK. cell

Block 4 (B4). Adhesion molecules. The complement system. Cytokines.

Unit 12 (T12). - Adhesion molecules in the immune response. Classification: integrins,

selectins, immunoglobulin supergene family, cadherins, other molecules. General and


36

specific functions of the different families. Control of the expression of adhesion molecules

in cells and tissues.

Unit 13 (T13). – The Complement System. Activation: classical pathway, Alternative

pathway and Lectin pathway. Biosynthesis of the complement proteins. The biological

functions of the complement. Effector molecules. Concept of complement-dependent

cytotoxicity. Regulation molecules. Cellular receptors for the complement. Genetics of the

complement system.

Unit 14 (T14) -Soluble mediators of immune response (cytokine): chemical structure and

cytokine-producing cell systems. Patterns of cytokines Th1/Tc1 Th2/Tc2, Th3, Th17. Action

mechanisms of cytokines. Classification of cytokines. The pleiotropism of cytokines. Cellular

receptors for cytokines. Brief mention of the use of cytokines and their antagonists in the

clinic.

Block 5 (B5). Cellular immune response. Humoral immune response. Immune response

regulatory molecules and cells. Regulatory mechanisms. Main immune-based diseases.

Unit 15 (T15). - Humoral immune response: cells and molecules involved.Cellular immune

response: cells and molecules involved. Concepts: Cellular cytotoxicity. Antibody dependent

Cytotoxicity (ADCC).

Unit 16 (T16). - Regulation of the immune response. Antigens as basic factors of control of

the immune response. The "feedback" effect, developed by antibodies and immune

complexes. Idiotype interactions. Cytokines and regulatory cells. Neuroendocrine

modulation of the immune response. Other regulatory mechanisms: genetic, nutritional,

pharmacological.

Unit 17 (T17). - Hypersensitivity reactions. Definition. Gell and Coombs Classification.

Concepts: tolerance, autoimmunity and autoimmune disease.

Unit 18 (T18). - Immune deficiencies. Concept. Classification. Diagnosis and treatment.

LABORATORY P.S, CLINICS AND SEMINARS:

1. Isolation of (PBMNc) peripheral blood mononuclear cells by density gradient technique.

2.-PBMNc Cell counting with Neubauer Chamber. Cell viability. Image through the optical

microscope and identification by phase contrast.

3. Isolation of CD4 + and CD8 + lymphocyte populations using the technique of

immunomagnetic spheres. Concept of positive and negative selection. Image through the

optical microscope of marked and non-marked populations.

4 Macrophages / dendritic cells production from PBMNc, using the plastic adherence

technique. Image through the inverted microscope.

5 Direct and indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) technique from PBMNc in suspension. T, B

and NK lymphocyte populations counting by fluorescence microscopy.

6. Functional test of Phagocytic cells. Phagocytosis of candida albicans.

7. Functional test of Phagocytic cells. NBT Reduction test.

8. Histology of the primary and secondary Lymphoid organs: thymus, spleen and lymph

nodes. H & E staining.


37

26533 - ADVANCED MICROBIOLOGY 3rd year


T0. Introduction (1 h) B1. FOOD MICROBIOLOGY (14 h) T1. Important Micro-organisms in

food T2. Microbiology of food preservation. T3 Microbiology of food processing. B2

MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY (10 h) T4. Molecular Virology T5. Microbial Genomics and

Metagenomics T6. Microbial evolution. B3 ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY (15 h) T7.

Microbial Ecology T8. Microorganisms in biogeochemical cycles. T9 Soil microbiology. T10

Microbiology of aquatic environments T11. Environmental applications of microorganisms

P1 practical content. Realization of microbiological analysis of food (9 hours) P2. Analysis of

the microbiota of natural samples using molecular and culture techniques (8 hours)

26535 - ADVANCED GENETICS 3rd year


THEORETICAL CONTENT

1. Genomic organization and content (2 h.)

2. Genome Maps (1 h.)

3. Study of the DNA function (3 h.)

4. Gene expression: interactions and relevant elements in transcription and

translation. (6 h.)

5. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. (8 hrs.)

6. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. (5 hours)

7. Genetic control of development. (2 hrs)

8. Genetic aspects of cancer. (1 hr)

PRACTICAL CONTENT

* P. 1. Laboratory 9 h.

* P. 2. Laboratory 7 h.

* P. 3. Computer simulation. 3 h.

* Problem-Solving discussion (practical session). Discussion about the solving

process of some representative problems related to the topics of theory lessons. 10 h.

* Tutorial Group: To solve all kind of questions and to help to understand relevant

concepts or difficult issues. 3 h.

26536 – MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES 3rd year


THEORETICAL LESSONS

B. 1: Methods for the isolation of biomolecules (1 h)

T 1. Isolation of nucleic acids and proteins (1 h)

B. 2: Methods for the study of proteins (5 h)

T 2. Protein electrophoresis (1 h)

T 3. Chromatographic techniques applied to the study of proteins (2 h)

T 4. Spectrophotometric and fluorimetric studies of proteins (2 h)

B. 3: Methods for the study of nucleic acids (3.5 h)


38

T 5. Nucleic acid electrophoresis. Southern blotting (1 h)

T 6. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Applications (1 h)

B. 4: Genetic engineering and genomics (5.5 h)

T 7. Recombinant DNA strategies (3.5 h)

T 8. Sequencing of genes and genomes (1.5 h)

T 9. Genetic modification of organisms (2 h)

B. 5: Analysis of gene expression (2 h)

T 10. Detection and quantitation of gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels (2 h)

LABORATORY SESSIONS

PL1: Purification of egg lysozyme by ion exchange chromatography (6 h)

PL2: Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Monitoring of the purification process (6 h)

PL3: Western blotting (3 h)

PL4: PCR analysis of recombinant plasmids. Agarose gel electrophoresis (2 h)

PL5: PCR-directed mutagenesis. Purification and digestion of a PCR product (6 h)

PL6: Purification, quantitation and cloning of a DNA fragment (6 h)

PL7: Transformation and screening of recombinant colonies. Plasmid DNA isolation (6 h)

PL8: Restriction analysis of plasmid DNA (2 h)

PO: Analysis of protein sequences (3 h)

26537 – STRUCTURAL AND FUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES 3rd year


THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL SESSIONS

BLOCK I: STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR THE STUDY OF PROKARYOTES

(13 H T+12H PL + 2 H TG + 3 H S = 30 H)

LABORATORY (12 h)

P1. Preparation, processing and fixation of viruses and bacteria’s samples (3 h)

P2. Fluorescent in situ hybridization of prokaryotes and staining and counting of virus in

pure cultures and complex natural samples (3 h)

P3. The viability study of prokaryotes (LIVE/DEAD) in the analysed samples (3 h)

P4. Oral presentation and discussion of the results obtained in each group (3 h)

SEMINARS (3 h)

Exhibition and discussion of scientific articles.

GROUP TUTORIALS (2 H)

In groups, students should develop and resolve test questions related to the content given.

THEORY (13 h)

T1. Microscopy (6 h)

1.1 Instrumental techniques for the processing of biological material

1.2. Optical microscopy, fluorescence and confocal


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1.2.1 Basic structural staining of nucleic acids, proteins, sugars and lipids

1.2.2 Fluorescent marking and radioisotopes (FISH, RING-FISH, sea-FISH and RAMAN-FISH)

1.2.3 Immunocytochemistry and Immunohistochemistry techniques

1.3 Electron microscopy, atomic force and scanning tunneling.

T2. Techniques for the functional study of prokaryotes (7 h)

2.1 Use of molecular probes for measuring microbial activity

2.2 Techniques based on the use of microsensors and MICROELECTRODES

2.3 Use of stable isotopes and BrdU

BLOCK II: TECHNIQUES FOR FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURE-FUNCTION STUDIES AT CELL,

TISSUE/ORGAN AND ORGANISM LEVELS (13 H T + 12 H PL + 4 H S + 1 H TG = 30 H)

THEORY

T3. Structural and functional techniques at molecular/cellular level (5 h).

3.1. Three-dimensional structure of proteins (2 h):

3.1.1. X-ray diffraction.

3.1.2. Electron diffraction.

3.1.3 Relevance of structure-function studies

3.2. Electrophysiological techniques (2 h).

3.3. Microfluorimetry (1 h).

T4 Functional techniques at the level of organs/tissues (5 h)

4.1 Pulmonary function measurement techniques. (1.5 h)

4.1.1 Measurement of pulmonary perfusion and ventilation

4.1.2 Determination of dead space

4.2 Cardiovascular function measurement techniques (2.5 h)

4.2.1. Determination methods of the cardiac function

4.2.2 Measurement of regional blood flow

4.2.3 Measurement of capillary hydrostatic pressure

4.3 Techniques of measurement of renal function (1 h)

4.3.1. Determination of renal clearance

4.3.2. Determination of pH renal compensation

T5 Functional techniques at the level of organism/animal (3 h)

5.1. Functional Nuclear magnetic resonance (2 h).

5.2. Functional measures of metabolism and energy consumption (detection of levels of O2

and CO2 in air) (1 h).

LABORATORY

P5. Laboratory. Processing of electrophysiological signals (3 h)

P6. Laboratory. Registration and functional analysis of an ECG (3 h)

P7. Laboratory. Measurement of the cardiac output in animals (3 h).


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P8. Laboratory. Measurement of the transporting function of the intestinal epithelium (3

h).

SEMINARS

Seminar 4. Applications of electrophysiological techniques: "patch-clamp", intra and

extracellular (1 h) records.

Seminar 5.Fluorescent indicators and probes(1 h).

Seminar 6. Techniques for the cell volume measurement. Capacitance measurements to

evaluate secretion processes (1 h).

Seminar 7. Techniques for evaluation of hormonal function: ELISA. RIA. (1 h)

GROUP TUTORIALS (1 h)

In groups, students should develop and resolve test questions related to the content

taught.

26538 – MODELLING ECOLOGICAL

SYSTEMS

3rd year


THEORETICAL LESSONS

Unit 1: Theoretical basis for modeling

T1.1. Systems theory in ecology.

T1.2. Dynamic analysis of ecosystems: Causal diagrams.

T1.3. Functional analysis of the system: Flow Chart.

T1.4. Building dynamic models.

Unit 2: Introduction to biogeochemistry.

T2.1. Biogeochemical cycles.

T2.2. Hydrological cycle. Hydrological models: Afforestation and erosion.

T2.3. Carbon cycle. Models of organic matter: Carbon sequestration.

T2.4. The cycle of Nitrogen and other elements.

COMPUTER SESSIONS (21 hours)

O1. Introduction to modeling. O2. Software for modeling. O3. General models focused on

carbon and nitrogen. O4.Hydrological models.

LABORATORY SESSIONS (20 hours)

L1. Organization, preparation of soil samples and reagents.

L2. Analysis of functional organic carbon fractions.

L3. Analysis of N fractions.

L4. Data treatment and discussion.

FOURTH YEAR-COURSES IN ENGLISH

26545 – CELL CULTURES AND TISSUE ENGINEERING 4th year



41

PART I: CULTURE OF ANIMAL CELLS

BLOCK 1-INTRODUCTION TO CELL CULTURE AND ANIMAL TISSUES.

UNIT 1. History and evolution of cell culture. Advantages and limitations of in vitro culture.

Types of cultivation of tissues and cells.

UNIT 2. Biology of culture cells. The environment. Cell adhesion. Cell proliferation and

differentiation. Cell signaling. Energy and metabolism of culture cells. Senescence and cell

death. Apoptosis.

UNIT 3. Establishment of cell lines in culture. Initiation, evolution and senescence of cells in

culture. Transformation and establishment of stable cell lines. Main cell lines and their

applications.

BLOCK 2-PHYSICAL AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CELL AND TISSUE CULTURE

UNIT 4. Laboratory of cell cultures. Design, distribution and equipment. Laminar flow

cabinet types. Incubator CO2 and incubators of hypoxia. Inverted microscope fluorescence.

UNIT 5. Aseptic technique. Principles and recommendations for the proper handling of cells

in culture. Preparation and sterilization techniques. Sources of contamination and

eradication techniques.

UNIT 6. Biosafety, bioethics and quality control in laboratory cell cultures. Viability, cell

count and other parameters of quantification. Cytotoxicity.

UNIT 7. Culture vessels and substrates. Treated surfaces and feeder layer. Choice of the

culture vessel. Specialized culture systems.

UNIT 8. Culture media. Defined medium and supplements. Physical and chemical properties

of the medium. Balanced saline solution. Complete medium, additives and serum. Choice of

the culture medium and special media (serum-free, protein-free, etc.).

BLOCK 3-TECHNICAL PROCEDURES APPLIED TO THE CELL AND TISSUE CULTURE.

UNIT 9. Primary cultures. Establishment and initiation of a primary culture. Selection and

isolation of tissue. Primary cultures: explants, splitting cells culture, organ culture,

organotypic culture.

UNIT 10. Techniques of subculture and establishment of cell lines. Propagation, growth, cell

cycle and subculture. Routine maintaining of cell cultures. Subculture of cells in monolayer

and suspension.

UNIT 11. Characterization, cloning and selection of cell types. Cell separation techniques.

Insulation, replica and expansion of monoclonal cell types. Morphological, genetic and

phenotypic characterization of culture cells. Transformation and Immortalization of culture

cells.

UNIT 12. Cryopreservation, storage and transportation of animal tissues and cells in culture.

Physical and chemical principles of cryopreservation. Vitrification. Techniques and

protocols of freezing and thawing. Banks of cells and animal tissues.

BLOCK 4- ADVANCED CUTURE TECHNICS, STEM CELLS AND CELLULAR ENGINEERING.


42

UNIT 13. Processing and handling of cells in culture. Introduction of genetic material (DNA

and RNA). Introduction of fluorescent protein (GFP), changes in gene expression (siRNA,

miRNA). Viruses, liposomes and other vectors of transformation. Cell fusion.

UNIT 14. Culture of stem cell. Types of stem cells: ESC, PGC, SSC, HSC, iPSC. Media,

substrates and other special requirements. Embryonic bodies and in vitro differentiation

process. Cancer cell culture .

UNIT 15. Three-dimensional culture and tissue engineering. The organ culture, histotypic

and organotypic culture. Cell interaction and organization of different types of cells in a

same culture. Use of scaffolds, media and special requirements. Present and future

applications of tissue engineering.

PART II: CULTURE OF PLANT CELLS

BLOCK 5. CULTURE OF PLANT CELLS IN SUSPENSION.

UNIT 16. Introduction to the anatomy and plant development. The plant cell. Main plant

tissues. Structural differentiation and development of plant organs.

UNIT 17. Methodology of growing cells and plant protoplasts. Introduction. Applications.

Choice of the explants. Preparation and sterilisation of explants. Induction of calluses,

subculture, and maintenance. Initiation of suspension cultures. Measures of growth in

suspension culture. Methods for isolation and culture of protoplasts. Regeneration of

plants from protoplasts. Somatic hybridization in plants: Fusion of protoplasts. Selection of

somatic hybrids. Applications.

UNIT 18. Plant cells as biofactories for production of secondary metabolites. Introduction to

the secondary metabolism in plants. Selection of cell lines with high production of

metabolites. Biotechnological applications. Introduction to metabolomics.

UNIT 19. Plant stem cells. Characterization and localization. Functional regulation.

Biotechnological applications

BLOCK 6-PLANT TISSUE CULTURE.

UNIT 20. Somatic embryogenesis. Molecular basis. Structural and physiological

characterization. Biotechnological applications.

UNIT 21. Organogenesis. Regulation of polarity in plant tissue cultures. Structural and

physiological characterization. Biotechnological applications

UNIT 22. Micropropagation. A Micropropagation protocol design. Stages of the process.

Physiology of crop micropropagated vitro / ex vitro. Quality control. Micropropagation in

bioreactors. Biotechnological applications.

BLOCK 7-REGENERATION OF PLANTS FROM TISSUE CULTURE.

UNIT 23. Technical conservation ex situ by using plant tissue and cell culture. Techniques of

conservation through retarded growth. Conservation by refrigeration. Cryopreservation.

Biotechnological applications.


43

BLOCK 8-TRANSFORMATION OF PLANT CELLS AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE PRODUCTION

OF TRANSGENIC PLANTS.

UNIT 24. Transformation of plants. Molecular and cellular basis for the transformation of

plant cells. Methods of transformation.

UNIT 25. Biotechnological applications.

LABORATORY PRACTICALS

PART I: CULTURE OF ANIMAL CELLS

P1.-Foundations of cell culture. Aseptic technique. Preparation of media and sterile

material. General terms and conditions of culture.

P2-Cell subculture. Growth curve. Evaluation of cell viability. Introduction of DNA by

transfection techniques.

P3.-Characterization of cell lines. Immunomarking techniques for the observation of

subcellular structures. Preparation of a karyotype.

P4-Cell cryopreservation. Storage of cells and tissue types. Freezing and thawing of cells.

PART II: CULTURE OF PLANT CELLS

P5.-Structure and components of the plant cell cultures laboratory. Preparation of plant

tissue culture media. Medium for micropropagation of Stevia rebaudiana and Allium

sativum.

P6.- Micropropagation by using axillary bud of Stevia rebaudiana. Culture of Allium sativum

meristematic to start in vitro stem culture.

P7.-Encapsulation of Stevia rebaudiana axillary shoots for refrigeration.

P8.-Evaluation of salinity tolerance in tobacco BY2 cell line by applying Evans blue and the

Triphenyl tetrazolium viability techniques.

degree in biology – courses in english (2015-16)...unit 2 (u2). chemical bonding and structure....

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