Living beings and cell theory. The central dogma of Biology. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The organization of the eukaryotic cell. The cell membrane, the nucleus, the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, lysosomes and peroxisomes. The cytoskeleton: microtubules, intermediate filaments, microfilaments. The extracellular matrix.
The informational macromolecules. Structure and function of proteins, DNA and RNA. Size and complexity of genomes. The organization of DNA in chromosomes.
The flow of genetic information. Transcription and maturation processes of eukaryotic mRNA. The genetic code and its characteristics. The translation apparatus and protein synthesis. Structure of the eukaryotic gene. Notes on gene regulation in eukaryotes.
DNA as hereditary material Semi-conservative DNA replication. The enzymatic mechanism of replication.
Cellular reproduction. Mitosis. The cell cycle: phases and control of progression. Sexual reproduction and the mechanism of meiosis. Differences between mitosis and meiosis. Gametogenesis in the human species: spermatogenesis and oogenesis.