Curricular Unit:			Code:
Molecular and Cellular Biology			1202BMC
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
1	Master	Pharmaceutical Sciences	6 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
Winter Semester		Portuguese/English	78
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
This course unit explores the basic structures and fundamental processes of life at the molecular and cellular level. At the level of knowledge, it aims to provide a better understanding of the molecular, structural and functional complexity of the cell, articulated way of functioning in multicellular organisms, and the importance of endogenous protection mechanisms for the maintenance of cellular and organism homeostasis. At the level of competences seeks to provide the ability to understand and recognize the relative importance of the cell in health and disease. At the level of skills aims at providing practical skills in the analysis and validation of technical and scientific information in the field of molecular and cellular biology, and continued development of knowledge. Overall, the learning process provides skills for the future professional to recognize and understand the role of the cell in health and disease in areas of clinical intervention or research.
Syllabus:
Theoretical component: Chemical bonds; Structure and function of inorganic molecules: water and mineral salts; Structure and function of biomolecules: nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids; Prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells; Cellular organelles: ultrastructure and physiology; Biomembranes: structure, functions, transmembrane transport; DNA replication and protein synthesis; Cell cycle: mitosis and meiosis; Programmed cell death; Signal transduction; Viruses and prions. Practical component: Characterization of amino acids and proteins; Protein isolation; Experimental analysis of the structure-function relationship (enzymes); Qualitative tests for identification of carbohydrates; Preparation and observation of extemporaneous preparations of plant tissue and animal tissue; Morphological and structural study of prokaryotic cells; Isolation of cell organelles and study of biomembrane permeability.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The theoretical part is divided into several sections: the levels of biological organization are described, in order to allow us to recognize that the living world is hierarchically structured; the cell is presented as a structural and functional unit of all living beings: characterization at the molecular, structural and functional level; the sequence of events that characterize protein synthesis and the cell cycle is studied; acellular beings are described at the structural and functional level. The practical part explores the use of optical microscopy in differentiating organisms and subcellular structures; structural and functional aspects of proteins and carbohydrates; application of basic techniques in the isolation of organelles.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
Theoretical component: descriptive and integrated exposition of the concepts, theories and mechanisms underlying the syllabus established in the theoretical program of the discipline, and articulated with the adopted bibliography. Approval will be certified through two written tests (average classification of at least 10/20; 75% weighting of the final grade of the curricular unit). Failure to pass continuous assessment sends the student to take an exam at the end of the semester. Practical component: use of experimental methodologies. Approval to the practical component will be certified by taking 2 theoretical-practical tests. The approval of the practical component implies obtaining at least 10/20 values (25% weighting in the final grade of the curricular unit).
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
Theoretical component: Aims at the acquisition of general and specific technical-scientific knowledge of this UC, good level of written communication and a good ability to relate concepts. Practical component: Aims to improve the understanding and deepen the technical-scientific knowledge of the student on specific topics of the program, as well as improve the operational capacity, both in the processes of organization and execution of work and in laboratory reasoning.
Reading:
1. ALBERTS B, BRAY D, HOPKIN K, JOHNSON D, LEWIS J, RAFF M, ROBERTS K, WALTER P. Fundamentos da Biologia Celular. Artmed Editora, 3ª Edição, 2012. ISBN: 9788536306797 (existe 2ªedição de 2006) 2. SUNKEL CE, AZEVEDO C. Biologia Molecular e Celular, Lidel eds. Técnicas, 5ª Edição, 2012 ISBN: 9789727576920 (existe 4ª edição, 2010) 3. QUINTAS A, FREIRE AP, HALPERN MJ. Bioquímica: Organização molecular da vida, Lidel, 2008 ISBN: 9789727574315 4. CASTRO A. Manual de trabalhos laboratoriais de apoio à componente prática da UC, 2021 5. MURRAY RK, GRANNER DK, RODWELL VW. Harpers’s Illustrated Biochemistry – Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill, 30th ed 2015 ISBN: 9780071825344 (existe a 27th ed, 2006) 7. 6.ALBERTS B, JOHNSON A, LEWIS J, MORGAN D, RAFF M, ROBERTS K, WALTER P. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Science, 5th Edition, 2014. ISBN: 9780815344322 (existe a 4ª edição, 2002)
Lecturer (* Responsible):
Anabela Castro (acastro@ufp.edu.pt) Maria Coelho (mcoelho@ufp.edu.pt) Sofia Pereira (sofia@ufp.edu.pt)