Psychiatric Rehabilitation Technique - Roma Azienda Policlinico Umberto I

Activity type

Scienze propedeutiche

SSD

PHYS-06/A

Year

1st year

Semester

1st semester

CFU

2

Hours distribution

20 classroom hours

Lecturers

MICHELA FRATINI

Activity type

Scienze biomediche

SSD

BIOS-07/A

Year

1st year

Semester

1st semester

CFU

2

Hours distribution

20 classroom hours

Lecturers

MARIA LUISA MANGONI

Activity type

Scienze biomediche

SSD

BIOS-10/A

Year

1st year

Semester

1st semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

10 classroom hours

Lecturers

MARIA TERESA FIORENZA

Activity type

Scienze biomediche

SSD

MEDS-01/A

Year

1st year

Semester

1st semester

CFU

1

Hours distribution

10 classroom hours

Lecturers

VIVIANA CAPUTO

At the end of the course Molecular Bases of Life, the student will have acquired a multidisciplinary background integrating principles of biochemistry, biology, physics, and genetics, and will have developed the ability to understand the relationships between molecular and cellular processes that regulate the fundamental functions of living organisms. The knowledge acquired will enable the student to apply theoretical concepts to interpret physiological and pathophysiological processes, linking the molecular and cellular dimensions to practical contexts, including clinical and rehabilitative fields. Furthermore, the student will be able to critically analyze experimental data and scientific information, assessing their reliability, consistency, and relevance.
The course will also contribute to the development of transversal skills: the student will learn to communicate concepts and results clearly and appropriately, and to develop autonomy in critical judgment when interpreting biological and molecular phenomena. Finally, the student will be able to navigate academic and professional contexts, using the acquired knowledge as a foundation for continuous learning and for the autonomous acquisition of new competencies in the life sciences and related disciplines. At the end of the course, the student must take a final examination to demonstrate the achievement of the expected knowledge and skills.

To understand the contents of the course and achieve the learning objectives, at the beginning of the teaching activities the student must have a basic knowledge of general and organic chemistry, general and cell biology, as well as fundamental notions of mathematics and physics.

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At the end of the course, students will be able to describe the structure of the atom, pH and buffer systems; the structure and properties of biological molecules (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids), hemoglobin, enzymes and their properties as catalysts; metabolism and its hormonal regulation.


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For the purpose of consultation and in-depth study, the recommended books are the following:


1)Purves, Sadava, Orians, Heller. Elementi di Biologia e Genetica. Ed. Zanichelli;
2) M. Samaja- R.Paroni . Chimica e Biochimica per le lauree triennali dell’area biomedica Ed. PICCIN
3) Stefani & Taddei. Chimica Biochimica e Biologica Applicata. Ed. Zanichelli
4) P.C. Champe, R.A. Harvey, D.R. Ferrier- Le basi della biochimica-Ed. Zanichelli
5) Trudy McKee e James R. McKee- Biochimica le basi molecolari della vita- Ed. McGraw-Hill
6) D. Scannicchio, E. Giroletti - Elementi di Fisica Biomedica – Ed. EdiSES


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Fondamenti di Biochimica-Voet and Voet. Zanichelli


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Teaching is delivered through lectures in the classroom, supported by multimedia presentations and teaching materials provided by the instructor. The lessons are designed to facilitate the understanding of basic theoretical concepts and to encourage active student participation through moments of discussion and clarification. The topics covered can be found in the recommended textbooks and in the supplementary teaching material provided by the instructor and made available to students on the e-learning platform. The instructor is available for clarification and further explanations during office hours.

Teaching is delivered through classroom lectures, supported by multimedia presentations and teaching materials provided by the instructor. The lessons are designed to promote the understanding of basic theoretical concepts and to encourage active student participation through moments of discussion and clarification. Attendance is monitored by the instructors through attendance sheets/roll calls on updated lists provided by the Academic Office; it is mandatory, with a minimum requirement of 67%.

The Integrated Course Molecular Bases of Life includes the modules of Biochemistry, Biology, Genetics, and Physics. The assessment consists of two parts:
Written examination: aimed at verifying basic knowledge of biochemistry, cell biology, physics, and genetics. It may include multiple-choice and/or open-ended questions, designed to assess both memorization skills and the understanding of fundamental concepts. The written test lasts 1 hour.
Oral examination: aimed at further evaluating the student’s ability to present the course content clearly and accurately, to establish connections between the various topics, and to demonstrate critical thinking and independent judgment.
To pass the exam, students must achieve a minimum score of 18/30 in each module. Evaluation is based on the knowledge of the topics covered and the ability to relate them to the cellular and molecular processes that regulate life. The maximum grade (30/30 with honors) is awarded to students who demonstrate comprehensive and excellent preparation, with the ability to integrate knowledge critically and across disciplines.Formative self-assessment tests are also provided. Exams are held in February, June–July, and September, with the possibility of extraordinary sessions in cases established by academic regulations.

Describe the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids
Structure and function of hemoglobin
Signal transduction

What is meant by karyotype, and why is it important in medical genetics?
What are DNA variations, and what role do they play in individual diversity?
How can a mutation affect the function of a protein?
In which situations can prenatal diagnosis be useful?
What is the main purpose of prenatal genetic testing?
How is a monogenic disease defined?
What are the general differences between dominant and recessive genetic disorders?

The short polymer chains of sugars, called oligosaccharides, are important constituents of:
A) nucleosomes
B) chromatin
C) cytoskeletal proteins
D) the mitochondrial matrix
E) many plasma membrane proteins

A typical membrane phosphoglyceride is composed of the combination of the following molecules:
A) 1 glycerol, 1 fatty acid, 1 phosphate group
B) 1 glycerol, 1 fatty acid, 2 phosphate groups
C) 1 glycerol, 2 fatty acids, 2 phosphate groups
D) 1 glycerol, 2 fatty acids, 1 phosphate group
E) 1 glycerol, 3 phosphate groups

Gap junctions are essential for:
A) ensuring coordinated responses
B) securing chromosome movement during mitosis
C) anchoring cells to each other
D) anchoring cells to the extracellular matrix
E) stabilization of the cytoskeleton

The motion of a material point in which both the curvature of the trajectory and the scalar speed are constant is a motion:
(A) uniformly accelerated;
(B) harmonic;
(C) helical;
(D) uniform circular;
(E) question without a unique or correct solution

– The second law of thermodynamics excludes the possibility of:
(A) producing work by means of heat;
(B) transforming heat into work;
(C) completely transforming heat into work in an isothermal transformation;
(D) completely transforming heat into work in a cyclic process;
(E) question without a unique or correct solution

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• BIOCHEMISTRY_Topic 1 Atomic structure and nature of the chemical bond; Concept of the mole; Solutions and concentrations (molarity, molality, mole fraction, and weight percentage). Osmotic pressure. Chemical equilibria, ionic equilibria in aqueous solutions. Acids and bases, definition of pH, and buffer systems (December 16, 2025), 4 hours
  • Books: Tiziana Bellini Chimica medica e propedeutica biochimica-Zanichelli


• BIOCHEMISTRY_Topic 2 Classification of biological molecules. Lipids (structural and functional organization), membranes. Membrane transport (December 22, 2025), 4 hours
  • Books: -M. Samaja- R.Paroni . Chimica e Biochimica per le lauree triennali dell’area biomedica  Ed. PICCIN  


• BIOCHEMISTRY_Topic 3 Structure and classification of amino acids. Properties. Peptide bond. Structural organization levels of proteins. Denaturation. Signal transduction. (January 12, 2026), 4 hours
  • Books: -Emine Ercikan Abali, Susan D. Cline, David S. Franklin, Susan Viselli- Le basi della biochimica-Ed. Zanichelli  


• BIOCHEMISTRY_Topic 4 Hemoglobin. Mutant hemoglobins: sickle cell anemia. Enzymes and enzyme kinetics (January 13, 2026), 4 hours
  • Books: -M. Samaja- R.Paroni . Chimica e Biochimica per le lauree triennali dell’area biomedica  Ed. PICCIN  -


• BIOCHEMISTRY_Topic 5 Glucose and lipid metabolism. ATP synthesis. Fermentation. Overview of lipid metabolism and hormonal regulation (January 20, 2026), 4 hours
  • Books: Tiziana Bellini Chimica medica e propedeutica biochimica-Zanichelli

• BIOLOGY_Topic1: Origin of life; general aspects of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The plasma membrane: structure and permeability. Membrane proteins: transport mechanisms, cellular secretion. Phagocytosis and exocytosis.


• BIOLOGY_Topic2: Cellular communication: plasma membrane and intracellular receptors. Cellular junctions. The cytoskeleton: microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments.


• BIOLOGY_Topic3: The membrane system within the cell: structures and functions of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum; Golgi apparatus; endo/lysosomal system. Energy metabolism in the cell: structure and function of the mitochondrion, glycolysis, and the Krebs cycle.


• BIOLOGY_Topic4: The flow of information from DNA to proteins: nucleic acids, chromatin and chromosomes, eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic genes, replication, transcription, and translation


• BIOLOGY_Topic5: The cell cycle: mitosis and meiosis.

• - DNA: structure and function. Protein synthesis. Genes, genome, and genetic mutations. 2h


• - Transmission of inherited traits. Classification of genetic diseases. 2h


• - Examples of monogenic diseases. 1h


• - Human chromosomes. Karyotype. Chromosomal anomalies. Chromosomal disorders. 2h


• - Diagnosis of monogenic diseases and chromosomal disorders. 1h


• - Prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases. 1h


• - Genetic counseling: indications, aims, and methods. 1h