Cellular Structure and Function

Code:

MA113

Acronym:

EFC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	General and Aquatic Biology

Instance: 2019/2020 - 1T (of 16-09-2019 to 01-11-2019)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Microscopy
Course/CS Responsible:	Aquatic Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCMA	53	Official Study Plan	1	-	5	48	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Students should acquire basic knowledge about cell morphology, function and biogenesis of cell organelles and nuclear structures.  

 

 

 

 

 

Learning outcomes and competences

Students should be able to identify organelles and other cell structures in electron microscopy images; know the basic microscopy techniques for cell and tissue studies; acquire the theoretical knowledge about cell biology necessary to understand the next curricular units.  

 

Working method

Presencial

Program

1) Characterization and diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; brief reference to virus. 2) Optical and electronic microscopes, microscopy techniques and other methods for cell study. 3) Chemical components of the cell and their detection with histochemical and cytochemical methods: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. 4) Fundamental aspects of DNA replication and transcription; RNA splicing; ribosomes and protein synthesis.  5) Composition, structure and functions of biological membranes; the glycocalyx. 6) Cytoskeleton and related structures: microtubules, cilia and flagella; microfilaments; intermediate filaments. 7) The nucleus:  nuclear envelope and transport in the nuclear pores; chromatin and chromosomes; the nucleolus and the formation of ribosomal RNA. 8) Cell cycle and division: mitosis, meiosis and cytokinesis. 9) Ultrastructure, functions and biogenesis of cytoplasmic organelles: endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, mitochondria, chloroplasts and peroxisomes. 10) Extracellular matrix and the wall of plant cells. 11) Structural and functional aspects of cell junctions: tight junctions, adherents junctions, desmosomes and hemidesmosomes, gap junctions and plasmodesmata. 12) Apoptosis.

 

Mandatory literature

Azevedo Carlos 340; Biologia celular e molecular. ISBN: 978-972-757-692-0
Alberts Bruce 070; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 978-0-8153-4464-3

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes; laboratory classes dedicated to microscopy techniques, observation of microscopy slides and electron microscopy images.

 

keywords

Natural sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	90,00
Trabalho laboratorial	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	87,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

3/4 of lab classes

Calculation formula of final grade

Exam classification = 90% of final classification; laboratory reports = 10% of final classification