To understand the role of microrganisms in the enviroment, in human health/diseses and in biotechnology. The expected learning outcomes are as follows: - Knowledge of the structure of microorganisms, in particular of bacteria and Archaea, and understanding of their internal organization, through the study of the peculiar characteristics of the prokaryotic cell. - Knowledge of the specific language for the description of microorganisms.
Course Prerequisites
Principles of Genetics and Biochemistry.
Teaching Methods
The course is based on lectures, with the help of video projections. Power Point presentations are used for the lessons, made available to students in the section dedicated to teaching on the KIRO platform. There are no practical exercises or laboratory activities.
Assessment Methods
The learning test is always in written form, with 8 open questions aimed at verifying the study and knowledge of the subject. The evaluation will take into account the use of an appropriate scientific language. The exam will last two hours.
Texts
- Dehò G, Galli E - Biologia dei microrganismi - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2018. - Madigan MT, Martinko JM, DA Stahl, DP Clark - Brock Biologia dei Microrganismi – Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale. Pearson Italia, 2022. - Willey JM, Sandman KM, Wood DH - Prescott Microbiologia Generale., Ottava Edizione, Mc Graw Hill, 2023.
Contents
Prokaryotic cell: structure and function. Microbiological techniques: microscopy, staining and media. Methods of sterilization. Determination of bacterial growth. Antibiotics: mechanism of action and of resistance. Energy production by bacteria: fermentation, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, oxygen and anoxygen photosynthesis. The control of metabolic activity: feed-back, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. The bacterial genome. Horizontal gene transfer: transformation, conjugation, and transduction. General virology and bacteriophages. Principles of taxonomy. Archaea and principal groups of bacteria.
Course Language
Italian
More information
For the categories of students identified by Senato Accademico in the session of 23 March 2023, the inclusive methods, among those indicated, will be provided and established ad hoc for each student who should need them.
