Learning outcomes of the curricular unit (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)
Provide expertise in the following themes: the evolution and origin of multicellular organisms; eukaryotic cell organization, with emphasis on the functional aspects; specialization and diversity of plant and animal cells and tissues; transmission of genetic traits in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; phenotype formation.
Syllabus
THEORETICAL SESSIONS. Organization of the living world: subcellular and cellular organisms. Eukaryotic cell organization: structural and functional correlation. Cell diversity and characterization of plant and animal tissues and functions. Reproduction: mitosis and meiosis; asexual reproduction and sexual; sporogenesis and gametogenesis. Heredity: mendelism; characterization of nucleic acids; genes, alleles, genotype. Gene action, environment and phenotype. Reproduction and transmission systems.
PRACTICAL AND LABORATORIAL SESSIONS. Organization of the living world: introduction to optical microscopy: observation of prokaryotes, unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes. Eukaryotic cell organization: transportation of solutions in yeasts; study of plasmolysis and turgidity in plant cells; pigment analysis and determination of chlorophyll content. Cell diversity and characterization of animal and plant tissues and their functions. Observation of mitosis and meiosis. Heredity: exercises.
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
The principal themes addressed in theoretical and practical context, seeks to establish a balance between the knowledge and skills to acquire. The approach to organization of the living world is characterizing the cellular and subcellular organisms, clarifying the types of cell organization. Through the study the eukaryotic cell organization connecting the structural and functional aspects, with emphasis on the characterization of the main types of animal and plant cells and their tissues. The study of the reproductive systems and of the underlying cell divisions, as well as the functional and molecular basis of heredity, combine to achieve the objective of understanding genetic transmission and their contribution to the development of the phenotype.
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
Theoretical formation is effected through thematic exposure sessions. The lab practical sessions introduce a set of procedures and techniques using eukaryotes for structural and functional development. Compared observation of cell division processes and exercises support and train the integrative understanding of reproductive processes and heredity, to be developed in further curricular units. Tutorial guidance supplements observations and case studies of the lab practical teaching component.
Students are admitted to the final exam. Ongoing evaluation requires obligatory assistance to 75% of sessions. Assessment elements consists of 2 written tests (PE), with theoretical component (CT) and practical laboratory component (CPL), which can exempt from final exam {0,6[average (PECT)] + 0,4[average (PECPL)]}, as long as none of the components of the evaluation elements for exemption scores < 8 values and the overall average is > 10 values. The final exam consists of a written test.
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
Theoretical sessions with audiovisual presentation is intended to give the theoretical foundations of the different topics, as well as a perspective of integration in the organization of the living world, with special attention to its application in vegetable and animal area. Laboratory practices aimed at the practical implementation of some basic procedures and techniques in the study of structural and functional components of eukaryotes. All tutorial sessions are moments of interaction with students in the analysis and interpretation of comments made or of the data obtained.
Being a basic curriculum unit, it is reasonable the separation between the expository theoretical component and practice and laboratory component and the binding of the tutorial component to the latter.
Bibliography (Mandatory resources)
Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Morgan, D., Raff, M., Roberts, K. & Walter, P. (2014). Molecular Biology of the Cell, (6th ed.). Garland Science, 1464 pp.
Azevedo, C. & Sunkel,C. (2012) Biologia Celular e Molecular (5ª ed), Lidel - Edicões Técnicas, 629 pp.
Griffiths, A. J. F., Susan R. Wessler, S.R., Carroll, S.B. & Doebleyt, J. (2012). An Introduction to Genetic Analysis (10th ed.). MacMillan Education, 800 pp.
Observations
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
Practical sessions and, at least, 50% of theoretical-practical sessions will be delivered in class mode.
Theoretical sessions will be delivered in online mode, when the in class mode makes it impossible for the previous priorities.
Periodical evaluations and exams will be in class.
Notice: in case of escalation of Covid-19 pandemic in Portugal, there may be:
1) partial or total substitution of live sessions by online sessions;
