Cell Physiology

Base Knowledge

Knowledge of Cell and Molecular Biology is advisable.

 

Teaching Methodologies

The programmatic contents follow internationally accepted practices for a curricular unit with the proposed objectives.

In the general exhibition of the subjects in the theoretical-practical classes, examples of the application of the subject are presented, whenever appropriate.

Discussion of the fundamentals of the experimental works to be carried out (at the beginning of the experimental classes) and the results obtained and their interpretation (at the end of the classes). In the theoretical-practical component, a space for discussion on the topics under study and their application in other contexts will be provided, and students will be encouraged to read the recommended bibliography in advance.

During the COVID-19 contingency plan, the classes will have a non-face-to-face character, and students are available to the students, elucidative videos and works that help to understand the topics addressed.

Theoretical-practical component, which includes one laboratory component per module and discussion of scientific articles.

The Curricular Unit is organized in Modules with equal weightings in the Theoretical-Practical component (50% each):

Module I: Membrane Transport (50%);

Module II: Cellular Signaling (50%).

 

 

Learning Results

The main objective of the curricular unit is to make known the mechanisms of cellular transport at the level of biological membranes and their implications in terms of cellular metabolism. Cellular communication and changes that occur at the level of cells, tissues and the body in the presence of (extracellular) bindings, such as the different classes of neurotransmitters, hormones, growth factors and death factors, it will be addressed, allowing students to perceive cellular communication and the effect of some drugs, aiming at an integration of knowledge with the interpretation of some situations of their daily lives. At a personal level it makes it possible to develop autonomous and critical-minded learning skills.

Program

1. Membrane Transport:

1.1. Passive transport

– Partition coefficients and Ionophores (classes, experimental applications);

– Ionchannels;

– Electrical membrane potentials (Nernst expression and GHK equation);

– Glucose carriers;

1.2. Primary and secondary active transport

– ATPases (classification, functions and pathologies) and ABC transporters;

1.3. Cellular interiorization of macromolecules: endocytosis (phagocytosis, pinocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis) and exocytosis.

 

2. Intercellular signaling:

2.1.Intercellular communication (endocrine, paracrina, autocrina and communication by surface proteins);

2.2. Specificity of the receiver;

2.3. Classification of hormones and their mode of action;

2.4. Classification of neurotransmitters and their mode of action;

2.5. Second intracellular messengers;

2.6. Definitions of cell death. Apoptotic cascade;

2.7. Neoplasms.

 

 

Curricular Unit Teachers

Internship(s)

NAO

Bibliography

 

LODISH, H., BERK, A., KAISER, C.A., KRIEGER, M.,  BRETSCHER, A., PLOEGH, H., AMON, A. & MARTIN, K.C.  “Molecular Cell Biology” 8th Edition, W.H. Freeman & Co (New York, USA), 2016. ISBN: 978-1464183393

ALBERTS, B., JOHNSON, A., LEWIS, J., MORGAN, D., RAFF, M. “Molecular Biology of the Cell” 6th Edition, Garland Science (USA), 2014. ISBN 978-0815344322.

COOPER, G. & HAUSMANN, R.E.  “The Cell – a Molecular Approach” (5th Ed) Sinauer Associates Inc. Publisheres, USA, 2006. ISBN: 978-0878933006

Scientific articles indicated by the professor, with focus over the topics taught.