Program Overview

HISTOLOGY

Course Description

The HISTOLOGY course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the structure, organization, and function of different human tissues, as well as the morphological-functional characteristics of cells that compose them.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

The course aims to enable students to:

• Know the structure, organization, and function of different human tissues
• Understand the morphological-functional characteristics of cells that compose them
• Acquire knowledge of investigation methods in cytology and histology
• Familiarize themselves with the terminology of the discipline
• Understand the subcellular, cellular, and tissue structures of the human body

Teaching Methods

The course will be taught through frontal lectures. Students with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or special needs are required to contact the lecturer and the dedicated SLD representative in the department before the class begins to arrange specific teaching methods.

Syllabus/Content

The course syllabus includes:

• Eukaryotic cell:
  • The main steps in eukaryotic cell evolution
  • The plasma membrane: structure and functions, membrane transports, endocytosis, and exocytosis
  • The cytoplasm: hyaloplasm, ribosomes, rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (RER), smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (REL), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, mitochondria, and the cytoskeleton
  • Cell movement, cell motility, and intracellular transport
  • Cell junctional complexes
  • The nucleus and the nucleolus
  • Cell cycle and mitosis
• Tissues:
  • Epithelial tissue: main characteristics, lining epithelia, organization, and classification, structural surface differentiations of epithelial cells
  • Connective tissue: extracellular matrix, cell components, connective tissue proper, support connective tissue (cartilage and bone tissue), ossification, trophic connective tissue (blood and lymph), and lymphatic tissue
  • Muscle tissue: striated skeletal and cardiac muscle, smooth muscle tissue, myofibril structure, and muscle contraction
  • Nerve tissue: neurons, glial cells, nerve fibers, synapses, and impulse transmission

Recommended Reading/Bibliography

"Elementi di Istologia e Cenni di Embriologia" edited by A. Filippini, published by Casa Editrice Piccin.

Teachers and Exam Board

The course will be taught by:

• Alessandra Dondero
• Emanuela Marcenaro The exam board consists of:
• Davide Bagnara (President)
• Alessandra Dondero (President)
• Fabio Giuseppe Ghiotto (President)
• Emanuela Marcenaro (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

Lessons

Lessons will take place in the first semester of the academic year. The class schedule is available on the Portale EasyAcademy.

Further Information

Details regarding exam preparation and the required level of depth for each topic will be provided during the course. The course contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, and Decent Work and Economic Growth.