KEY CONCEPTS IN
BIOLOGY
Jagiellonian University
Medical College
School of Medicine in English
BIOLOGY
1. Bricks of life – DNA composition 3.3. Understanding of genetic code – how
1.1. Mechanism of replication and control genome is read;
of DNA quality; 3.4. Translation – interplay of RNAs and
1.2. Principles of complementarity; enzymes;
1.3. Functional structure of eukaryotic 3.5. Protein structures – role of Heat Shock
DNA; Proteins in acquiring native
1.4. DNA topology: from double helix to conformation;
chromosome; 3.6. Posttranslational modification and its
2. RNAs diversity importance in protein function;
2.1. Polymerases as complex enzymes 3.7. Cellular and secretory proteins;
recognizing different types of genes; 3.8. Protein degradation;
2.2. Transcription as a dynamic process – 4. Enzymes – cellular machines
initiation, elongation and termination; 4.1. Role of enzymes in catalyzing of
2.3. Mechanisms of transcription control; biological reaction;
2.4. mRNA – structure and its 4.2. Regulation of enzyme activity;
modification; 4.3. Reaction center and its specificity to
2.5. Alternative splicing – the way to get substrates;
more!; 4.4. General types of enzymes;
2.6. Types of introns; 5. Cell life – circular or linear
2.7. tRNA – structure, specificity; 5.1. Cell as an open thermodynamic
2.8. rRNA – scaffold of ribosomes; system;
2.9. small RNAs – key players in the 5.2. Structure and role of biological
regulation of replication and membranes;
transcription (snRNA, Y-RNA, 5.3. Functional differentiation of
siRNA, shRNA); membrane proteins;
3. Gene expression – “from blueprints to 5.4. Cytoskeleton and its role in
the active structure” intercellular connections, cell
3.1. Eukaryotic gene structure and its movement and tissue organization;
regulatory elements; 5.5. Cell junction – interplay of
3.2. Systems of DNA repair; cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix;
5.6. Endoplasmic reticulum – its role in the 9.1. Mutagen, clastogen, teratogen and
cell; carcinogen – role in carcinogenesis;
5.7. Golgi apparatus – its functional 9.2. Mutation as a source of genetic
structure; instability;
5.8. Golgi network and lysosomes; 9.3. Proto-oncogenes and oncogenes;
5.9. Native or alien – mitochondria 9.4. Origin of cancer – single abnormal
(structure and function); somatic cell vs. altered stem cell;
5.10. Endocytosis, exocytosis and vesicular 9.5. Evolution of cancer – cancer stem
transport; cells;
5.11. Nucleus – its topology and structure; 9.6. Involvement of immune system in
5.12. Nucleoli – organization and cancer cells spread;
structure; 10. Microbiology
6. Metabolism – how the cell obtains 10.1. Virus structure;
energy 10.2. Viral life cycle;
6.1. Glycolysis – what is it for? (Anaerobic 10.3. Human diseases caused by viruses;
and aerobic – substrates and 10.4. Prokaryotic cell: differences between
products); prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells;
6.2. Krebs cycle – role in the cell and 10.5. Bacteria: structure, growth and
general features; physiology, genetics;
6.3. The respiratory chain and ATP 10.6. Human diseases caused by bacteria;
synthesis; 10.7. Antibiotics mode of action;
6.4. Metabolism of fat; 10.8. Human diseases caused by parasites
6.5. Metabolism of proteins; (malaria, worms, flukes,
7. Cell communication and signaling ectoparasites);
7.1. Receptors and signaling cascades – 11. Specialized eukaryotic
general principles; cells/tissues/organs/systems
7.2. Different ligands – different types of 11.1. Nerve cell structure (axon,
communication; dendrites, myelin sheath,
7.3. G-protein linked cell surface receptors; oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells,
7.4. Enzyme linked cell surface receptors; nodes of Ranvier)
7.5. Ion channels; 11.1.1. Synapse (synaptic activity,
7.6. Intracellular receptors; transmitter molecules);
8. Cell division 11.1.2. Resting potential (electrochemical
8.1. Meiosis; gradient, ions involved);
8.2. Mitosis; 11.1.3. Action potential (threshold, all-or-
8.3. Crossing over; none rule, sodium–potassium
8.4. Recombination; pump);
8.5. Basics of inheritance – genetic and 11.2. Nervous System – organization of
biochemical sex determination; vertebrate nervous system
8.6. Mitochondrial inheritance; 11.2.1. Sensor and effector neurons;
9. Cancer
11.2.2. Cerebral cortex (cortical loose versus dense, extracellular
representation of sensory and motor matrix)
functions); 11.8. Endocrine system – definition of
11.2.3. Reflexes (feedback loop, reflex arc, an endocrine gland, hormone
effects on flexor and extensor 11.8.1. Function of the endocrine system
muscles, roles of spinal cord, brain); (terms: autocrine, paracrine, and
11.2.4. Sympathetic and parasympathetic endocrine control, concept of
nervous systems (functions, negative feedback loop regulation);
neurotransmitters used, 11.8.2. Major endocrine glands (names,
antagonistic control); locations, products – full names and
11.3. Muscle cell structure (skeletal, their abbreviations);
smooth, and cardiac muscle; 11.8.3. Major types of hormones, their
striated versus non-striated) chemical structures;
11.3.1. Sarcomeres (general structure – “I” 11.8.4. Transport of hormones, their
and “A” bands, “M” and “Z” lines, specificity;
“H” zone); 11.8.5. Cellular localization of hormone
11.3.2. Organization of contractile elements receptors depending on their
(thin/thick actin and myosin structure;
filaments, cross bridges, sliding 11.8.6. Cellular mechanisms of hormone
filament model); action;
11.3.3. Calcium regulation of contraction, 11.8.7. Hypothalamus-pituitary gland-
sarcoplasmic reticulum, role of peripheral gland axis;
troponin and tropomyosin; 11.8.8. Hormones regulating calcium
11.3.4. Nervous control (motor neurons, homeostasis;
neuromuscular junctions, motor end 11.8.9. Diseases resulting from
plates, voluntary and involuntary inappropriate hormone levels;
muscles); 11.9. Sensory reception and processing
11.4. Skeletal structure (names of major 11.9.1. Skin, proprioceptive and somatic
bones, specialization of bone sensors;
types, joint structure) 11.9.2. Olfaction, taste;
11.4.1. Cartilage (structure, function); 11.9.3. Hearing (ear structure, mechanism
11.4.2. Ligaments, tendons; of hearing);
11.4.3. Bone structure (osteoblasts, 11.9.4. Vision (eye structure, light
osteoclasts, protein matrix, receptors, visual image processing);
calcium); 11.10. Circulatory system – functions
11.5. Epithelial cells (simple of the cardiovascular system
epithelium, stratified epithelium, 11.10.1. Four-chambered heart (structure,
localization in various organs) function);
11.6. Endothelial cells 11.10.2. Pacemaker cells, impulse conduction
11.7. Connective tissue cells (major system;
tissues and cell types, fiber types,
11.10.3. Systolic and diastolic pressure 11.13.1. Saliva as source of enzymes;
(pressure in the left ventricle and 11.13.2. Stomach: structure (gross),
aorta, closing and opening of production of digestive enzymes,
valves); gastric juice, protection against self-
11.10.4. Pulmonary and systemic destruction;
circulation; 11.13.3. Liver: structure (gross), role in
11.10.5. Arterial and venous systems nutrient metabolism, blood glucose
(arteries, arterioles, venules, veins); level regulation, production of bile;
11.10.6. Capillary beds (mechanisms of gas 11.13.4. Bile composition and function;
and solute exchange); 11.13.5. Pancreas: structure (gross),
11.11. Blood – composition enzymes produced;
11.11.1. Erythrocyte production and 11.13.6. Small intestine: structure (anatomic
destruction (spleen, bone marrow), subdivisions), function and
hematocrit and erythropoietin; structure of villi, production of
11.11.2. Hemoglobin, biochemical enzymes, absorption of food
characteristics of hemoglobin, details molecules;
of oxygen/carbon dioxide transport; 11.13.7. Large intestine: structure (gross);
11.11.3. Coagulation, clotting mechanisms, 11.13.8. Muscular control: peristalsis,
role of the liver in clotting factors sphincter muscles;
production; 11.14. Excretory system – kidney
11.11.4. Origin and composition of lymph; structure, nephron structure
11.12. Immune system – innate and (glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule,
adaptive systems proximal tubule, loop of Henle,
11.12.1. White blood cells, their structure distal tubule, collecting duct)
and basic functions; 11.14.1. Formation of urine (glomerular
11.12.2. T and B lymphocytes (cellular vs. filtration, secretion and reabsorption
humoral immunity); of solutes, concentration of urine,
11.12.3. Other cells of the immune system countercurrent multiplier
(macrophages, mast cells, dendritic mechanism);
cells); 11.14.2. Roles of kidneys in homeostasis:
11.12.4. Central and peripheral lymphatic blood pressure, osmoregulation,
tissues (bone marrow, thymus, acid–base balance, forms of soluble
spleen, lymph nodes); nitrogenous waste excreted;
11.12.5. Basic aspects of innate immunity 11.14.3. Urine storage and elimination
and inflammatory response; (micturition reflex);
11.12.6. Concepts of antigen and antibody; 11.15. Respiratory system – general
11.12.7. Structure of antibody molecule; structure and function
11.12.8. Mechanism of stimulation by 11.15.1. Gas exchange, partial pressures of
antigen, use of vaccination; oxygen and carbon dioxide;
11.13. Digestive system – general 11.15.2. Protection against disease,
organization and function particulate matter;
11.15.3. Breathing mechanisms (diaphragm,
rib cage, pleural pressure);
11.16. Skin system – structure (layer
differentiation, cell types, tissue
types [epithelial,
connective]and functions in
homeostasis (vasoconstriction
and vasodilation in surface
capillaries)
11.16.1. Nails and hair;
11.17. Reproductive system – male and
female reproductive structures
and their functions (gonads,
genitalia, differences between
male and female structures)
11.17.1. Gametogenesis by meiosis;
11.17.2. Ovum and sperm (differences in
formation, morphology);
11.17.3. Reproductive sequence (fertilization,
implantation, development, birth);
12. Embryogenesis
12.1. Stages of early development (order
and general features of each:
fertilization, cleavage, blastula
formation, gastrulation);
12.2. Formation of primary germ layers
(endoderm, mesoderm, ectoderm);
12.3. Neurulation;
12.4. Major structures arising out of
primary germ layers.
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS
BIOLOGY
Recommended international textbooks –
respective chapters from:
1. Biology: A Global Approach, by
N.A. Campbell et al. Global
Edition (English), Prentice Hall;
11th edition (2017), ISBN-10:
9781292170435
2. Molecular biology of the cell, B.
Alberts et al. Norton &
Company; 6th Revised edition
(2014); ISBN-10: 0815344643
