39111 - CELL BIOLOGY

Subject type: Basic

Coordinator: Jordi Sarola Gassiot

Trimester: First term

Credits: 6

• Catalan

Oral presentations in the classroom will be in Catalan.

The cell biology subject belongs to the basic subjects module of the Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. It is necessary for the formation and understanding of basic and complex concepts of human biology. 

We will focus on the study of the eukaryotic cell of animal origin, how it is composed of organelles and what are the main functions of these, as well as other structures not organized into organelles, essential for the functions that define a cell as such: nutrition, relationship and reproduction. 

In this subject we will focus on cellular structures and functions and their relationship with the process of human nutrition. We will also delve deeper into the study of the mitochondrion as a fascinating organelle, from an evolutionary point of view. Of the crucial role it plays in cellular physiology and its relationship with disease. 

At the same time, we will develop seminars dedicated to oxidative stress, the relationship of chronic stress with health and nutrition, HIV and a series of clinical cases related to specific cell organelles. 

Topic 1. Cell theory. 

1.1. Discovery of cells. 

1.2. Concept and basic properties of the cell. 

1.3. General characteristics of the eukaryotic cell: general structure. 

Topic 2. Cell membranes 

2.1. Composition, structure and functions of the plasma membrane. 
2.2. Selective transport across membranes: simple diffusion vs. transport facilitated by proteins (active and passive). 
2.3. Membrane potentials and neurotransmission. 

Topic 3. Cell compartmentalization. 

3.1. Main organelles and functions. 

Topic 4. Intracellular transport of protein and lipid materials. 

4.1. General description of the endomembrane system. 
4.2. Transport vesicles. 
4.3. Exocytosis, endocytosis and phagocytosis. 
4.4. Destruction of misfolded proteins. 

Topic 5. Cellular bioenergetics. 

5.1. Generalities about metabolism: anabolism and catabolism. 
5.2. Mitochondrial aerobic metabolism and electron transport. 
5.3. Chemical energy and ATP synthesis. 
5.3. Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species. 

Topic 6. The cytoskeleton. 

6.1. Components: composition, structure and dynamics of polymerization and depolymerization.  
6.2. The cytoskeleton during cell division, prometaphase. 
6.3. The cytoskeleton during embryonic development, axonal growth. 
6.4. Importance of the cytoskeleton in cell junctions and transport. 

Topic 7. Cellular signalling. 

7.1. Basic principles of inter and intracellular signaling. 
7.2. Types of receptors: intracellular and surface. 
7.3. Integration of extracellular signals and cellular responses to them. Signaling routes and messengers.  

Unit 8. Cellular renewal. 

8.1. Cell proliferation: control of the cell cycle. Cell elements involved in cell division. 
8.2. Survival and cell death: apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. 

Seminars 

Seminar 1.
Seminar 2.
Seminar 3.
Seminar 4.

The evaluation system will be carried out according to the guidelines of the Academic Regulations for Undergraduate Teaching at Pompeu Fabra University. The results obtained for the student body will be expressed in numerical grades, in accordance with the scale provided for in Royal Decree 1125/2003, of September 5, for which the European system of credits and the system of qualifications in university degrees of an official nature and valid throughout the national territory:  

0,0 - 4,9: Suspension (SS) 

5,0 - 6,9: Approved (AP) 

7,0 - 8,9: Notable (NT) 

9,0 - 10: Excellent (SB) 

According to the Academic Regulations for degrees, there will only be one official call that will cover two different evaluation periods: 

1. Ordinary period, which takes place in an integrated way in the training process and during the teaching period. 

2. Extraordinary period, in which the student can be assessed again for tasks, activities or tests that have not been passed satisfactorily within the framework of the first period. 

ordinary period 

Evaluation of the face-to-face modality: 

Evaluation of the virtual modality: 

Extraordinary assessment period 

Requirements to pass the continuous assessment (AC):  

- Mandatory minimum achievement in the subject and seminars of 75%, absences due to illness or injury are included.  

- If the continuous assessment is not passed due to non-compliance with any of the necessary requirements described above, the student will fail the subject.  

Recovery: Within the same course, there is the possibility of recovering skills not achieved during the subject. In accordance with current regulations, in the evaluation activity of the exam, you can only choose to retake the subject, if it has been suspended. In the case of those who did not present, it will not be possible to opt for recovery. 

Assignments: All assignments must be submitted through the Virtual Classroom on the date indicated. No late work will be accepted. The seminars will be mandatory (75% minimum attendance. The average grade obtained in the continuous evaluation will be averaged with the grade of the final exam. To get an average, it will be necessary to have passed the final exam. The full or partial copy in any of the learning activities will mean a "Not Presented" in the subject, without the option to take the recovery test and without prejudice to the opening of a file for this reason. Therefore, plagiarism or the copy of someone else's work will be penalized according to the Regulations on the rights and duties of students of the University of Pompeu Fabra. The University will be informed and a serious offense will be placed on the file.  

To facilitate the appropriate citation of texts and materials it is necessary to consult the orientations and guidelines for academic citation available at the website of the Library. 

Karp, Gerald. (2011). Cellular and molecular biology. McGraw-Hill/Interamericana. Madrid 

Stryer, Lubert. (2013). biochemistry reverted Barcelona 

Lehninger, Albert. (2006.) Principles of biochemistry. Omega. Barcelona