Cellular And Developmental Biology 2021/2022

Cytology.

Cytology and Histology, where is the difference. Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cell. Historical background. The Cell Theory and its exceptions. Properties of the cells. How to study a cell. Optical and electron microscopy. Slides preparation and staining. Structure and composition of the biological membranes. The plasma membrane and its specialisations. Cell Junctions and transport across membranes. Endo-membrane system and protein synthesis: Rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus. Mitochondria: structure, functions and energy production. Cytoskeleton: microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules. Vesicular transport, endo- and exo-cytosis, lysosomes and peroxisomes. Nucleus: nuclear envelop, chromatin, nucleoli. Chromosome structure. Cell cycle. Mitosis and meiosis. Cell signalling.

Histology.

Lining and secretory epithelia. Epithelia Classification. Specialised structures of the apical (microvilli, cilia and stereociglia), lateral and basal surface. Structure of the mucosa. Secretory epithelia. Secretion modality. Morphological classification of the glands. Exocrine glands: secreting cells (goblet cells), gastric, intestinal, salivary, sweat, and sebaceous glands; Pancreas, mammary gland, prostate gland. Endocrine glands: thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands, hypophysis, islets of Langerhans.

Connective tissue. The cells of the connective tissue and their origins. Connective fibres. Fibril structure and formation. Collagens. Proteoglycans. Extracellular matrix. Classification of the connective tissues. Cartilage: elastic cartilage, hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage.

Gastro-intestinal apparatus. General structure: Mucosa, submucosa, Muscularis propria, Adventitia. Oesophagus, Stomach, small and large intestine.

Glands of the digestive system. Liver’s structure: blood flow, hepatic artery, and portal vein. Functional lobes. Portal areas, bile canaliculi and ducts, sinusoids, perisinusoidal space (Space of Disse). Hepatocytes structure and functions. Exocrine Pancreas: structure and function of the pancreatic acinus. Gallbladder.

Bone structure compact and trabecular bone. Woven and lamellar bone. Osteoblasts, Osteocytes, and Osteoclasts. Intramembranous and Endochondral ossification. Bone’s resorption.

Kidney. Microanatomy. Kidney blood flow. Structure and function of the Nephron: glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule, proximal and distal convoluted tubules, Henle’s loop, cortical collecting duct. Podocytes, fenestrated capillaries, basal membrane. Juxtaglomerular apparatus.

Anatomy of the male and female’s reproductive system. Testicle’s structure (seminiferous tubules, interstitial tissue). Duct system. Spermatogenesis. Meiosis. Sertoli cells. Spermiogenesis, spermatozoa. Ovary’s structure. Oogenesis and follicles development. Menstrual cycle. Follicles, corpus luteum.

Muscle tissue. Skeletal muscle. Microscopic and ultra-microscopic anatomy of muscle fibres. Microfilaments. Sarcoplasmic reticulum. T-Tubules. Smooth muscle, microscopic and ultra-microscopic anatomy of muscle cells. Heart anatomy. Cardiac muscle. Intercalated discs. Cardiomyocytes. Excitation-contraction coupling.

Blood. Plasma composition. Coagulation. Blood’s cells. Blood as seen at optical and electron microscopy. Structure of the bone marrow. Haematopoiesis. Circulatory system: heart, arteries, veins and capillaries.

Lymphoid tissues. Thymus, spleen, and lymphonodes. Lymphatic circulation. Structure of the spleen.

The immune system. Innate and adaptive immunity. MHC. B and T lymphocytes. Antibodies. Cytokines. Macrophages.

Nervous tissue. Neuron: axons, dendrites, and cytoplasmic structures. Neuron’s classification and function. Myelin sheath. Schwann cells. Myelinated and non-myelinated fibres. Nerve’s ends: chemical and electrical synapses. Nervous tissues as seen at optical and electron microscope. Organisation of the central and peripheral nervous system. Brain, Cerebellum and Spinal cord. Nerve’s structure. Neuroglia. Oligodendrocytes. Somatic and autonomous nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic).

Sense organs. The sensitivity, particles and cells. Sense organs, olfactory mucosa, taste buds. The retina, the structure of rods and cones.