Universidad de Jaén

THEORY

 1. Organization of life:

Origin of life. Levels of organization of organisms.

2. Molecular organization of organisms:

Carbohydrates, structure and properties. Lipids, structure and properties. Protein structure and organization. Nucleic acids, structure and composition.

3. Cellular organization: basic principles

Prokaryotic cell organization. Eukaryotic cell organization: cytoplasm, nucleus, nucleolus

4. Cellular Metabolism

Mitochondria, plastids. Energetic metabolism. Peroxisomes. Detoxification.

5. Structure and vital processes of plants and animals

Structure and function of tissues and organs of animals and plants

6. DNA, genes and genome

Molecular (DNA replication) and cellular (mitosis/meiosis) mechanisms controlling the transmission of hereditary material. Mendelian principles regulator of heredity. Gene expression and its regulation.

7. Mutations

Origin and types of (spontaneous and induced) mutations. Molecular effects. Repair mechanisms. Detecting environmental mutagens.

8. Evolution

Evolutionary theories and principles. Molecular basis of evolutionary change: population genetics

PRACTICAL LESSONS

*Identification and handling of the material and equipment commonly used in the laboratory. Reagent preparation and
tampons. PH determination.
* Determination of metabolites spectrophotometrically.
* Analysis and detection of mutagenicity: Ames test.
* Study of mitosis and realization of karyotypes.
* Observation of histological animal preparations: epithelial, connective muscle and nervous.
* Observation of histological plan preparations: root, stem and leaf

Teaching methodology

 

The lectures will take place in theoretical academic sessions with the support of Information and communication thecnologies, that will provide all necessary teaching materials, references, addresses, in order to allow students to work independently.

 

The lab sessions will be developed in the laboratory, and consist of conducting experiments in a guided session of 2 hours. Students will grouped in working teams and will have the support of the laboratory notebook, containing basis of experimental procedures. The results will be analyzed and discussed globally with the teacher.

  

Problems and seminars sessions will take in one-hour sessions, focused to the resolution of issues worked on the theory, and the presentation and defense of work done by groups of students on environmental topic of interest related to the subjects.

 

In the tutorials (small groups) will be discussions on topics of interest related with theory matter.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

The final note of the course will be obtained by summing the proportional scores obtained for each aspect (Theory, Practice and Problems / seminars) of the subject.

In the final exam of Theory it must be obtained a minimum rating of 4 out of 10 to further add both the Practice and Problems scores and overcome the complete subject. If the course is not approved as a whole in the ordinary call I (January-February), the Practices and Problems will be saved just for the extraordinary calls I (May-June) or II (June-July). The following year, students must take and relay examined of all parts of the course.