BIOLOGY is essential to Chemistry, since it deals with the organisms in which metabolic processes take place. This course studies the characteristics of living beings, as well as their levels of organisation, molecular bases of life, cellular organisation and industrial applications. We therefore consider the basic principles of the cellular model and the main techniques for studying living beings. The contents are integrated and linked to other related areas such as inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. The subject is fundamental for the professional training of any graduate in Biosciences.

Core skills:

1- Learn to use the most common laboratory resources and techniques safely.

2- Know the basic aspects of biological systems and processes.

3- Know and understand the chemical basis of biological processes and their reflection in cellular organisation and genetics.

4- Know the basic principles of Earth Sciences and their relationship with the origin and characteristics of chemical substances.

5- Know and use the most common sources of information and documentation in Experimental Sciences.



Cross-cutting skills:

1- Develop the ability to analyse and synthesize for decision-making and to prepare and transmit information.

2- Develop the ability to organise and plan.

3- Develop skills in interpersonal relations that foster teamwork and progress in critical reasoning.

4- Maintain a positive attitude that enables the acquisition of tools for autonomous and continuous learning.

INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY

1. Concept. Characteristics of living organisms. Levels of organisation

BIOMOLECULES

2. The chemical basis of life: Water. Functional groups of organic compounds.

3. Biomolecules: Carbohydrates. Lipids. Proteins. Nucleotides.

4. Enzymes. Chemical reactions and activation energy. Structure and function of enzymes Factors affecting enzyme activity. Regulatory enzymes.

CELLULAR ORGANISATION

5. The cell: General structure. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisation.

6. The plasma membrane: Structure and function. The cell wall.

7. Cytoplasm and cytoskeleton. Microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules. Motile appendages: Cilia and flagella.

8. Ribosomes and endomembrane system: Structure and function. Rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Lysosomes and microbodies.

9. Mitochondria and chloroplasts: Structure and function. Energy metabolism.

10. The interphase nucleus: Structure and function. Nuclear membrane, nucleolus and chromosomes. The cell cycle.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF GENETICS

11. Reproduction. The dividing nucleus: Mitosis and meiosis. Life cycles.

12. Transmission of hereditary traits.

13. Chromosomal theory of inheritance. Linkage and recombination. Multiple alleles. Sex-linked inheritance. Chromosome mapping.

14. Mutations. Point and chromosomal alterations. Importance of mutations as a source of variability. Mutagens.

BIODIVERSITY and EVOLUTION

15. Chemical evolution. Prebiotic evolution.

16. Biological diversity

17. Biodiversity and evolution of metabolism in microorganisms.

INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY

18. Concept of biotechnology. Industrial organisms. Classes of industrial biological products. Enzymes: production and applications. Antibiotics, vitamins and amino acids. Microbial polysaccharides and polyesters.

19. Microorganisms and environmental protection. Microbial insecticides.

20. Genetic recombination. Important biotechnological products manufactured by recombinant DNA: Hormones, blood proteins, vaccines, anticancer agents and immune modulators. Plant products and drugs derived from plants. Process and products from animals and cultured animal cells.

21. Bioethics, concept. Ethics committees at the UPV-EHU. Protocols and procedures.

The programme subjects are taught in units of different lengths. Consequently, the time schedules differ. The correct preparation and delivery of classroom, computer and laboratory assignments within the established deadlines will be a prerequisite for passing the course. In general, and unless otherwise indicated, students are not allowed to use books, notes or notes, or telephone, electronic, computer or any other type of device or apparatus during an assessment test.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Multiple-Choice Test (%): 65
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 15
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 5
  • Exhibition of works, readings ... (%): 15

-. Guided academic activities (problem solving, participation, completion of tasks): 20% of the final continuous assessment mark.

-. Continuous assessment of laboratory practicals (laboratory activities, reports, laboratory work, results obtained): 15% of the final continuous assessment mark. Attendance is compulsory for laboratory practicals in the case of continuous assessment.

-. Theoretical-practical exam. It may be oral and/or written. It will account for 65% of the final continuous assessment mark and 100% in final assessment.

-. Failure to take the final exam will be sufficient for the final grade of the course to be a “No Show”.

-. Students are prohibited from using books, notes, as well as telephone, electronic, computer or any other type of apparatus or device during the assessment tests. In the event of any case of dishonest or fraudulent practice, the provisions of the protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in assessment tests and academic work at the UPV/EHU shall be applied.

-. Students will have the right to be assessed using the final assessment system, regardless of whether or not they have participated in the continuous assessment system. To do so, students must submit a written waiver of continuous assessment to the lecturer responsible for the subject, for which they will have a period of 9 weeks from the beginning of the term, in accordance with the academic calendar of the centre.

In the extraordinary call, the final mark will be established following the same protocol described in the ordinary call. Failure to take the test will mean that the student will not be able to take part in the assessment session and will be recorded as a “No Show”.

Students are prohibited from using books, notes, as well as telephone, electronic, computer or any other type of apparatus or device during the assessment tests. In the event of any case of dishonest or fraudulent practice, the provisions of the protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in assessment tests and academic work at the UPV/EHU will be applied.

Textbooks and scientific journals, virtual tools, web-based materials.

Basic bibliography

Basic bibliography (there are English editions for all the listed textbooks)



N.A. CAMPBELL & Jane B. REECE (2007). Biología. Panamericana, 7. ed.

Helena CURTIS, N. Sue BARNES, Adriana SCHNEK & Alicia MASSARINI (2008). Biología. Panamericana, 7. ed.

S. FREEMAN (2009). Biología. Pearson Education, 3. ed.

Sylvia S. MADER & M. WINDELSPECHT (2019). Biología. McGraw Hill, 13. ed.

D. SADAVA, H.C. HELLER, G.H. ORIANS, W.H. PURVES & D.M. HILLIS (2009). Vida: La Ciencia de la Biología. Panamericana, 8. ed.

Eldra P. SOLOMON, Linda R. BERG & Diana W. MARTIN (2008). Biología. McGraw Hill, 8. ed.

Cecie STARR, R. TAGGART, Christine EVERS & Lisa STARR.(2009). Biología: la unidad y la diversidad de la vida. Ed Thomson, 12. ed.

In-depth bibliography

Bibliography for further reading

ALDRIDGE S. El hilo de la vida. De los genes a la ingeniería genética. Cambridge University Press. Madrid. 1999.
DURÁN, A. y RIECHMANN, J. (coord.). Genes en el laboratorio y en la fábrica. Ed. Trotta. Fundación 1º de mayo. Madrid. 1998.
GARCÍA OLMEDO. La tercera revolución verde. Plantas con luz propia. Debate. Madrid. 1998.
GRACEE. La Biotecnología al desnudo. Promesas y realidades. Anagrama. Barcelona. 1998.
LÓPEZ BARAHONA & ANTUÑANO. La clonación humana. Ariel. 2002
MAE-WAN HO. Ingeniería genética: ¿sueño o pesadilla? Gedisa. Barcelona. 2001.
RAVEN P. y JOHNSON G.B., Biology, Ed. McGraw-Hill. 2005.
WALKER, J. y GINGOLD, E. Biología Molecular y Biotecnología 3ª ed. Ed. Acribia. Zaragoza. 1997.

Journals

Journals

Biological Chemistry
Elhuyar, Zientzia eta Teknologia aldizkaria
Investigación y Ciencia
Mundo Científico
Nature
Science

Web addresses

Useful websites

www.medicapanamericana.com/campbell
http://bcs.whfreeman.com/thelifewire9e/default.asp#t_542578____
http://genomasur.com
http://www.nature.com/scitable
https://zientzia.info/ (Cátedra de Cultura Científica UPV/EHU)
https://naukas.com/ (Plataforma on line sobre divulgación científica)