Introduction to the study of Biology: the experimental approach. Chemical basis of life. Organic molecules: structure and biological functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Key Features of the structure and cellular functions. The eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell. The plant and animal cell. Cytoplasmic organelles. The cytoskeleton. The cell membrane structure and function. The nucleus and its molecular components. Inheritance and information. Replication and DNA repair. Cell reproduction. Meiosis and recombination. Transfer of genetic information from DNA to proteins: protein synthesis. Genetic code. Gene expression and cellular properties. The energy flow and metabolism. Cellular respiration. Photosynthesis. Autotrophy and heterotrophy. The species. General concepts of evolution, biodiversity, systematics and phylogeny. General principles of ecology. Intraspecific and interspecific relationships: competition, predation, symbiosis, parasitism. Plant organisms. Plant tissues. Structural plans of the plants. Introduction to Plant Physiology. The vegetative and sexual reproduction. Angiosperms: general characteristics. Main families of angiosperms. Animal organisms: the animal tissues. Body plans of animals. Adaptive physiology. Reproduction and development. Major animal phyla with particular reference to Arthropoda and Chordata phylum.

Sadava D, Heller CH, Orians GH, Purves WK, Hillis DM
Biologia - La cellula Zanichelli, quarta edizione italiana
Sadava D, Heller CH, Orians GH, Purves WK, Hillis DM
Biologia – L'evoluzione e la biodiversità (Cap. 22-23-25-27-31-32-33) Zanichelli, quarta edizione italiana
Sadava D, Heller CH, Orians GH, Purves WK, Hillis DM
Biologia - L'ereditarietà e il genoma (Cap. 11-12-14-15.1) Zanichelli, quarta edizione italiana
Sadava D, Heller CH, Orians GH, Purves WK, Hillis DM
Biologia - La biologia delle piante (Cap.34-35-38) Zanichelli, quarta edizione italiana