Cell and Tissue Biology

Code:

M112

Acronym:

BCT

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Medicine

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S (of 16-09-2024 to 10-01-2025)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Microscopy
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Masters Degree in Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIM	207	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Portuguese
Obs.: Português / Bibliography suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

AIMS:

Part 1 - CELL BIOLOGY:

-It is intended that students acquire basic concepts of the structure and functioning of the cell, and its relationships with physiology, age, adaptation and associated pathology.

 -More specifically:

-have specific notions on the structure and function of the various cell components.

-learn to autonomy the use of the optical microscope.

-Know the processing for optic and electron microscopy.

-Know to identify the ultrastructural structure of the cell components.

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY:

Acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge of the microscopic morphology and histophysiology of the tissues of the human body, acquiring knowledge and skills that enhance the understanding and progressive integration of contents of cell biology, special histology, embryology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and other.

Learning outcomes and competences

LEARNING OUTCOMES AND SKILLS:

Part 1 - CELL BIOLOGY:

The student should end the semester with knowledge, key skills and attitudes including:

 -To acquire general notions on the structure and function of the cell components.

-To be able identifying the ultrastructure of the cell components.

-To acquire full autonomy with handling the optic microscope.

-To acquire general notions on the processing of biological material for optic and electron microscopy.

-Team working and debating.

-Learn to be disciplined, polite and respectful in relation to the institution, teachers and colleagues.

General skills and learning outcomes:

Skills to be acquired:

1-critical-thinking and problem-solving ability,

2-collaboration, agility and adaptability,

3-initiative and entrepreneurship,

4-good oral and written communication,

5-ability to access information and analyze it,

6-curiosity and imagination.

What the labor market requires a licensed:

-specialized skills.

-autonomy.

-continued ability to learn.

-produce knowledge.

-adapt to new situations.

-interact with people, sometimes of multiple nationalities and different cultural backgrounds.

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY:

To apply the acquired knowledge and skills to make differential diagnoses, identifying properly and discriminately the tissues as well as their structural components; unfolding and correlating the structure with the related histophysiology. To be able to understand and predict ways in which the structure and its histophysiology can be altered with age, adaptations and disease.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

PRE-REQUISITES (previous knowledge) and co-requisites (simultaneous knowledge)

Part 1 - CELL BIOLOGY:

Students have to possess the basic concepts of cell biology at the level of the 10º-12º year of the high school.

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY:

Prior knowledge: Cell Biology. Co-requisites: Systematic Anatomy I.

Program

PROGRAM

Part 1 - CELL BIOLOGY:

THEORETICAL MODULES:

1-Presentation of the Curricular Unit

2-Morphology of the cell.

3-Struture of the cell membrane.

4-Membrane transport of small molecules.

5-Endoplasmic reticulum. Protein and lipid processing. Calcium reserves. Nuclear transport. Golgi apparatus. Exocytosis.

6-Lysosomes. Autophagy. Endocytosis. Peroxisomes.

7-Mitochondria. Reserve inclusions.

8/9-Cytoskeleton I and II. Pathology.

10-Intercellular junctions. Cell adhesion and mobility.

11-Cell signaling.

12-Cell cycle. Mitosis. Meiosis.

13-Programmed cell death.

PRACTICAL MODULES:

1-The light optic microscope

Execution:

-Structure. Optics. Focus

-Learning autonomously the use of the optic microscope (epidermis)

2-Methodology of biologic material processing to optic microscopy

Execution:

Microtomy of paraffin-embedded biological material (sectioning) followed by section collage in slides

Hematoxilin-Eosin staining, mounting of the histological sections

3- Methodology of biologic material processing for transmission electron microscopy

4-Transmission electron microscopy

Execution:

-Ultramicrotomy

-Cell visualization at the transmission electron microscope

5-Cell Atlas

Execution:

-Image analysis of the ultrastructure of the cell components

Cell ultrastructure analysis (PP and in printed images)

6-Membrane specializations

Execution:

Microvilli (small intestine)

Stereocilia (modified microvilli) (epididymis)

Cilia (trachea) (Fallopian tube)

Flagellum (spermatozoa)

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY:

Theoretical and practical laboratory program, covering the following topics:

1. Introduction to tissue biology (functional histology);

2. General and special staining to view in class (applications to different tissues, morphofunctional interpretation);

3. Epithelial tissue (variants);

4. Connective tissue (proper);

5. Adipose tissue (variants);

6. Cartilage (variants);

7. Bone and ossification (variants);

8. Muscle tissue (variants);

9. Nervous tissue (cells, central and peripheral nervous systems).

Mandatory literature

Bruce Alberts; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 978-0-8153-4464-3
Wojciech Pawlina; Histology: A Text and Atlas: With Correlated Cell and Molecular Biology (Ninth, North American Edition), LWW, 2023. ISBN: 1975181514

Complementary Bibliography

Abraham L Kierszenbaum, Laura L Tres; Histology and Cell Biology: An Introduction to Pathology, Saunders, 2019. ISBN: 032367321X
Bertalan Dudas; Human Histology: A Text and Atlas for Physicians and Scientists (1st Edition), Academic Press, 2022. ISBN: 0323918913
Harvey Lodish et al.; Molecular Cell Biology (8th Edition), W.H. Freeman and Company, 2016. ISBN: 1319067743

Comments from the literature

All Theoretical and Practical classes are accompanied by the provision of PP, Texts, Atlas and videos, to support the integration of knowledge.

It will be made available a Manual for Practical Classes 2024/2025, authored by the teaching staff of the Laboratory of Histology and Embryology ICBAS; essential for monitoring the practical classes. It will also be made available to students complimentary slides and, whenever relevant, selected texts.

Teaching methods and learning activities

METHODS OF TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Part 1: CELL BIOLOGY:

Theoretical Modules:

-Presential teaching (B-learning when mandatory)

-Plataform Moodle-ICBAS-UP- with all Theoretical presentations with additional support texts.

-Wide range of other learning resources: Library, key books, scientific journals.

-Complementary support outside physical classroom, using SIGARRA and other digital media (Moodle, Zoom, others), providing static and/or dynamic information for self-study and self-assessment.

-Classes are dynamic, allowing interaction with students.

 

Practical Modules:

-Presential teaching (B-learning when mandatory)

-Plataform Moodle-ICBAS-UP- with all Practical presentations with additional support texts.

-Wide range of other resources: Atlas with optical, histochemical and electron microscopy images.

-Modern laboratory with up-to-date equipment.

-Complementary support outside physical classroom, using SIGARRA and other digital media (Moodle, Zoom, others), providing static and/or dynamic information for self-study and self-assessment.

-Classes are experimental, personalized, allowing integration with theoretical knowledge, interactive discussion and group work, enabling the use of instruments and identifiers independently.

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY:

Plenary lectures (face-to-face or at distance if needed) and practical training (in the Histology Practical Classroom).

It includes observation and discussion of collections of histological glass slides, under the microscope, and/or digital slides, as well as selected static digital images.

There are interactive discussions for theoretical-practical and morphofunctional integration; using images, surveys, debates.

Complementary support outside physical classroom, using SIGARRA and other digital media (Moodle, Zoom, others), providing static and/or dynamic information for self-study and self-assessment.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Histology
Health sciences
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Cell biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	3,00
Exame	97,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	106,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

ADMISSION TO EXAMS

Part 1: CELL BIOLOGY:

-Final examination and Retest examination (January-February).

-Without middle examinations.

-In Practical classes, students cannot exceed by 25% the number of unofficially justified absences (rules under the Act Law).

The student who exceeds this number is automatically disqualified.

-The presence in Practical classes is not a component for evaluation.

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS THAT FAILED APPROVAL IN PREVIOUS YEARS

[1] The coordinators dismiss all repeat students, who already had obtained "frequency" of the UC, from attending the practical classes of this school year, with this criterion being valid for Part I-BC and Part II-BT.

[2] The coordinators will consider for the present scholar year all the partial classifications that some repeating student may have obtained in previous year. For example, if a student obtained a positive score in a Part of the UC, it will only have to make evaluation(s) to the Part that he/she has failed.

Calculation formula of final grade

FINAL GRADE:

Part 1- CELL BIOLOGY:

Final exam: 2h. Total of 100%-20 marks:

-Multiple choice questions about the theoretical presentations. Each multiple choice question has 5 alternatives, four of them are correct and only one is totally incorrect. Students must indicate the wrong answer. Only one alternative can be answered. The wrong answers are not discounted. Total of 70%-14 marks.

-Identification of electron microscopy images, with labelled structures and organelles. The student has to identify each by full writing. The wrong answers are not discounted. Total of 30%-6 marks.

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY:

Theory exam - Multiple choice test type. Each question has five alternatives, of which only one is correct (either true or false). The student can signal as many alternatives as adequate - the correct alternative of the question is worth 100%, each wrong one is worth -25%. The duration of the test will not be less than 50 seconds / question.

Practical exam - consists of the projection of digital images/slides, at an Amphitheatre, for diagnosis of histological structures in printed form. Covers various topics / sections, summing from 20 to 40 questions. The duration of the practical exam is from 45 to 60 minutes per shift of students. The questions may integrate theoretical and practical concepts.

Participation (Continuous Evaluation) - Prize for attendance (each lack decreases the grade), commitment, behaviour and quality of performance throughout the theoretical classes and, above all, practices. It includes the quality of performance in small tests done during classes, whether in person or at a distance.

Final Classification of Tissue Biology = (Grade of the theoretical test x 0.50) + (Grade of the practical test x 0.45) + (Grade of participation in classes x 0.05). Each partial grade is given on the scale of 0 to 20.

Minimum classification in the theoretical test of Tissue Biology: 9.5 values. Minimum classification in practical test: 9.5 values. Minimum mark for final approval: 9.5 points.

Note - Condition for access to practical exam: to obtain a minimum grade of 9.5 in the theoretical exam. If you do not get the final result, Tissue Biology is expressed as Failure by Missing Component (RFC). If it fails the practical exam, the final classification is also given by RFC.


FORMULA FOR CALCULATION OF THE FINAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE CURRICULAR UNIT (UC):

Final Grade of the UC = Grade CELL BIOLOGY x 0.44+ Grade TISSUE BIOLOGY x 0.56

In the above formula, each partial Grade is rounded to the nearest hundredth. For final approval to the UC it is required the minimum classification of 9.50 values for each of the Parts (Modules). In the absence of approval either of CELL BIOLOGY or of TISSUE BIOLOGY, the student's final grade is expressed as Failure by Missing Component (RFC).

 

Examinations or Special Assignments

SPECIAL WORKS:

Part 1 - CELL BIOLOGY: None

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY: None

Internship work/project

INTERNSHIP/PROJECT WORK:

Part 1 - CELL BIOLOGY: None

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY: None

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

SPECIAL EVALUATION:

Part 1 - CELL BIOLOGY:

-To be defined by the Direction of ICBAS-UP

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY:

The exams explained above are for students who regularly undergo an examination (normal and appealing). Following this, and in agreement with the regulations approved at ICBAS, the special tests required, for example, the associative students or the workers, can be of different types, according to a model/type to be determined by the course coordinator, in each case, may well consist of the same kind of tests but with a different number of questions, theoretical and practical written evidence, theoretical and practical projections, direct examination with histological slides under the microscope, etc. The exam format will be informed at the time of the test. The designation of the examination day(s) is the responsibility of teachers according to their availability and schedules of the available rooms for examination, with the candidates being informed via announcement in Moodle and/or by e-mail, using the emails given by the ICBAS, contained in the form of students (SIGARRA).

Classification improvement

RATING IMPROVEMENT:

Preliminary note:

A student can only request an improvement of grade(s) after a first final approval to the UC.

Part 1 - CELL BIOLOGY:

-It is done by taking a new final exam.

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY:

It is done by conducting new final tests, theoretical or practical, only theoretical, or only practical, according to the student's wishes (that must inform the coordinator of the module of Tissue Biology). The course coordinator will use the best possible combination of the obtained positive grades; yet, the student should confirm that this is the case and contact the coordinator if not. In the case of continuous evaluation score, this is only improvable by renewing the attendance of the theoretical and practical classes (if conditions allow).

CONJUGATION OF PARTS IN THE FINAL EVALUATION FORMULA

Improvements can only take place after one final approval at the UC. The coordinators authorize the student to improve either Part 1, or Part 2, or both. Coordinators will use the best possible combination of grades, including carrying over grades from the previous year. The student must verify that this is applied.

Observations

OBSERVATIONS:

Part 1 - CELL BIOLOGY:

-DOUBTS SCHEDULE:

Each student should contact the Professor who teaches each specific subject.

Mário Sousa: msousa@icbas.up.pt

Rosália Sá: rmsa@icbas.up.pt

-COMPULSORY REQUESTS:

-STUDENTS HAVE TO USE A WHITE COAT IN ALL PRACTICAL CLASSES.

 

-THE FIRST PRACTICAL CLASS IS MANDATORY.

 

-The Theoretical classes are not of mandatory assistance. Therefore, students must have an exemplary behaviour keeping in silence. No Abuse of lack of higher education will be tolerated. At the end of each presentation, students will have 10 min for questions to the Lecturer.

-MANDATORY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1-Molecular Biology of the Cell (2022) Alberts B et al. Garland Edition. 7th Edition.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021049376 | ISBN 9780393884821 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780393884630 (epub)

 2-Cell Biology Program (2024/2025). Moodle-ICBAS-UP. It is mandatory to consult the Theoretical Classes, Practical Classes and General Folder folders, where Students will find the Power points of the classes, Support texts and Protocols of the Practical classes.

 

-COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1-Molecular Cell Biology (2016) Lodish H et al. W.H. Freeman and Company. 8th Edition.

ISBN-13: 978-1319067748 / ISBN-10: 1319067743

 2-The Cell: A Molecular Approach (2015) G Cooper and R Hausman. ASM Press Edition. 8th Edition.

ISBN: 9781605352909

 3- Biologia Celular e Molecular (2012) Azevedo C e Sunkel CE. Lidel Edition. 5ª Edição.

ISBN: 978-972-757-692-0

 4-Reprodução humana masculina. Princípios fundamentais (2015). Margarida Fardilha, Joana Vieira da Silva, Miguel Conde (Eds). ARC Publishing e Editores.

ISBN: 978-989-98599-3-7

 5-Biblioteca ICBAS/FFUP: Medline, PubMed, Net, Livros, Atlas e scientific journals.

-RULER:

Mário Sousa, MD, PhD, Full Professor, Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology (Director), ICBAS-UP

-TEACHING TEAM:

-Mário Sousa, MD, PhD, Full Professor (Ruler)

Graduated in Medicine (ICBAS/CHUP), PhD (ICBAS), Post-doctorate (INSERM, Clamart, France), Subspecialty in Laboratory Reproductive Medicine (American Hospital of Paris, France)

Email: msousa@icbas.up.pt

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3009-3290

CIENCIA ID: 5118-4AC0-9709

-Rosália Sá, PhD, Assistant Professor

Graduated in Biology (University of Aveiro), PhD (ICBAS)

Email: rmsa@icbas.up.pt

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6551-3822

CIENCIA ID: DB18-92C4-7A18

 

-TECHNICAL TEAM::

-Elsa Oliveira, Superior Technician, Technical Specialist 1st class of Anatomical Pathology, Cytology and Thanatology, Area of Diagnosis and Therapy, Superior degree in Anatomical Pathology, Cytology and Thanatology, Area of Diagnosis and Therapy

Email: emoliveira@icbas.up.pt

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8482-5047

CIENCIA ID: A711-3A06-28FF

-Telma Oliveira, MSc, Superior Technician, Graduation in Anatomical Pathology, Cytology and Thanatology, Area of Diagnosis and Therapy. Master in Biopathology Laboratorial and techniques (Escola Superior de Saúde do Porto)

Email: telmah_18@hotmail.com

ORCID ID: 0009-0006-1258-5941

CIENCIA ID: 4810-D233-9D11

-Joana Saramago, PhD, Superior Technician, Graduation in Biology (FCUP), Master in Molecular and celular biology (FCUP), Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS / IBMC/i3S)

Email: jfsaramago@icbas.up.pt

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8190-2617

CIENCIA ID: 5717-8EE4-9F4E

Part 2 - TISSUE BIOLOGY:

SCHEDULE FOR DOUBTS :

The clarification of doubts is primarily done by email, or, alternatively, by conversation (in person or via Zoom) with prior appointment of day and time. Questions on theoretical topics should be clarified with the Coordinator, and on practical topics should preferably be dealt with by teachers in practical classes.

COMPULSORY REQUESTS:

Students have to use a white coat in all practical classes.

Exemplary behaviour is required in all classes, and disrespects of any kind are not tolerated.

In addition to the dialogue in class, all communication with students will be done by dynamic email.

For the sake of cost savings and human resources management, before the theoretical and practical exams, students may have to demonstrate their commitment for going to exams, by answering via an online system, to be made available by the coordinator. Interested parties will be contacted by dynamic email.

MANDATORY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1 - Wojciech Pawlina and Michael H. Ross; Histology: A Text and Atlas: With Correlated Cell and Molecular Biology (Eighth International Edition), Wolters Kluwer - LWW, 2019. ISBN: 978-1496383426

2 - Carlos Gonçalves, Vasco Bairos; Histologia. Texto e Imagens (4ª Edição), Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, 2013. ISBN: 978-989-26-0671-2

-COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1 - Abraham L Kierszenbaum, Laura L Tres; Histology and Cell Biology: An Introduction to Pathology (4rd Edition), Saunders, 2019. ISBN: 032367321X

2 - Bertalan Dudas; Human Histology: A Text and Atlas for Physicians and Scientists (1st Edition), Academic Press, 2023. ISBN: 0323918913

BIBLIOGRAPHY OBSERVATIONS:

I will be made available a Manual for Practical Classes, authored by the teaching staff of the Laboratory of Histology and Embryology ICBAS; essential for monitoring the practical classes. It will also be made available to students complimentary slides and, whenever relevant, selected texts.

COORDINATOR:

Eduardo Rocha, Dept. Microscopy, Lab. of Histology and Embryology.

TEACHING TEAM:

Eduardo Rocha, Full Professor

Maria João Tomé da Rocha, Auxiliary Professor with Habilitation

Marta Susana Santos, Auxiliary Professor

Tânia Vieira Madureira, Invited Associate Professor

Leonardo Maia Moço, Invited Auxiliary Professor

Margarida Ribeiro Vilaça, Invited Assistant

TECHNICAL TEAM:

Célia Lopes, Principal Technician

Fernanda Malhão, Principal Technician

Rosária Seabra, Principal Technician