General Biology

Brief description: The purpose of the module is to give to the students the basic concepts of evolution, anatomy and organ functions of animals and plants.

1.    Knowledge and understanding :

At the end of the module, the student should have an understanding of:  

Ø  The various stages of cell division

Ø  Gametogenesis, fecundation and embryonic development

Ø  The structure and functions of various animal and plant tissues.

Ø  The differences in structure between various organs of plants and animals.

Ø  The differences between various vital functions in plants and animals.

Ø  The theories and the evidence of the biological evolution.

2.    Practical knowledge

At the end of the module, the student should have an understanding of:  

Ø  How to recognize using a microscope the various cellular organelles and explain their functions.

Ø  How to recognize using a microscope the characteristics of various tissues and to give their functions.

Ø  How to locate on anatomical models, the various tissues and organs of the plants and animals.

Indicative content:

Ø  Study of the cell: Concept of cell. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, structure, chemical nature and role of the various cellular components. The cell cycle.

Ø  Cellular organization and structure;

Ø  Different types of cells

Ø  Cell division

Ø  Introduction to cell physiology

Ø  Plant tissues: parenchymas, meristems, protective tissues, supporting tissues, conductive tissues and secretive tissues.

Ø  The anatomical structure of the plant organs: Anatomy of the stem, the root, the leaves and the floral parts. Modes of ramification of the stem. Modes of adaptation of the roots, the leaves and the floral parts

Ø  Animal tissues: epithelial tissues, connective tissues, cartilaginous tissues, blood, muscular tissues, nervous tissues.

Ø  Anatomy of the organs of the animal body: skeletal anatomy, the muscles, the nervous system; sensory organs of touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight.

Ø  Concept on functions: the digestive system and digestion, the circulatory system and circulation, the respiratory system and breathing, the urogenital system and reproduction.

Ø  Embryology: Meiosis, gametogenesis, fecundation, types of embryonic development, mechanisms of differentiation.

Ø  Outline on the Biological Evolution: Definition of evolution and phylogeny, theories of evolution, evidence of evolution, various levels of evolutionary development, speciation and natural selection.

Indicative bibliography