Course Syllabus
A. Name of university/ Instructor’s name (department/ position)
Voronezh State University, Faculty of Biology and Soil Sciences, Department of
Genetics, Cytology and Bioengineering / Mikhail Belousov (assistant), Olga
Mashkina (associate professor)
B. Title of course/ Semester
Introduction To Cytology / 3rd semester
C. Instructor’s office location and address/ office phone
Universitetskaya pl., 1, Voronezh, Russia, 394006 / +7 (473) 220-88-76
D. Instructor’s e-mail address
bmv_happy@mail.ru
E. Course description
Welcome to the course in Cytology. We’re your instructors, Mikhail Belousov and
Olga Mashkina. We’ll be together for the next 18 weeks. In this course, we’ll help
you learn the functions and structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. After
completion the course you’ll understand the composition and functions of
subcellular structures.
The course will explore the characteristic of modern cytology methods. This
introductory course teaches students the features of the structure and functioning
of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, plant and animal cells. Class work is based
on learning practical skills of microscopic techniques, preparation of slide mounts
and cytological analysis. A discussion of the characteristics of structural and
functional organization of subcellular components will provide students with solid
knowledge of the origin of eukaryotic cells, their differentiation in multicellular
organisms. This course is designed to foster a comprehensive understanding of
structural and functional organization, types and modern methods of studying
chromosomes as carriers of material units of heredity - genes. Through this
course you will find out about the cell cycle and its regulation, normal karyotype
and various pathological conditions. This course is an introduction to the division
types (reproduction) of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, mechanisms of mitosis,
meiosis and amitosis, their characteristic features. The course will give you an
idea of endomitosis and somatic polyploidy polyteny, explore the features of
micro- and megasporogenesis, micro- and megagametogenesis, the process of
fertilization in plants. Students will gain knowledge of apoptosis - genetically
programmed cell death. We will consider cytological basis of pathology, aging
and cell death.
F. Course Objectives
After completing the course students will …
 be able to describe the present state of the structural and functional organization
and the activity of cells (prokaryotes and eukaryotes, plant and animal) in normal
and various pathologies;
 appreciate the difference between structural and functional state of the cell
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

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(normal or pathological);
gain a broad understanding of the origin of cells, their reproduction and
differentiation in multicellular organisms;
enhance skills in microscopic techniques;
become acquainted with the manufacture of preparations and study by electron
microscopy;
have studied a variety of approaches to slide mounts preparations and
cytological analysis by light microscopy;
G. Methods of Instruction
Course meetings will consist of approximately one third of lectures and two-thirds
of activities. There will be four types of activities:
Labs. Students will learn the skills of slide mounts preparations. Students in
groups of 2 people will work with a light microscope – observe and analyze slide
mounts.
Excursions. Students will be divided into groups of 5-6 people. Each group goes
on an excursion to become familiar with the electron microscope.
Discussions. Students will discuss homework topics.
Assessment. Throughout the course there will be 3 tests. Testing will be
conducted on the Moodle software.
H. Course Requirements and Grading
The course grade will be determined by a weighted average of the following:
 Lectures 25%
 Lab 35%
 Homework 25%
 Exams 10%
 Final Exam 5%
Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:
85-100% A
70-84% B
55-69% C
0-54% F
I. Final Exam
If students successfully cope with the 3 tests (A, B or C grades), then they get a
pass. In case of a failure, they have to sit an exam.
J. Required texts
a. Essential readings
1. Essential Cell Biology / B. Alberts, D. Bray, K. Hopkin [et al.]. — 4th ed. —
New York; London: Garland, 2013. — 865 p.
2. Cytogenetics / P.K. Gupta. — 1st ed. — New Delhi, India, 2007. — 421 p.
b. Recommended readings
1. Bayani J., Squire J.A. et al. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) // Curent
Protocols in Cell Biology. 2004. P. 22.4.1-22.4.52.
2. Boisvert F., van Koningsbruggen S., Navascués J., Lamond A.I. The
multifunctional nucleolus // Nature Reviews Mol. Cell Biol. 2007. Vol. 8. P.
574-585.
3. Branco M.R., Pombo A. Chromosome organization: new facts, new models //
Trends Cell Biol. 2007. Vol. 17. P. 127-134.
4. Cremer T., Cremer M. et al. Chromosome territories – a functional nuclear
landscape // Curr. Opin. Cell. Biol. 2006. Vol. 18. P. 307-316.
5. Derenʐini M., Pasquinelli G., O’Donohue M. et al. Structural and functional
organization of ribosomal genes within the mammalian cell nucleolus // J.
Histochem. Cytochem. 2006. Vol. 54. P. 131-145.
6. Edgar B.A., Orr-Weaver T.L. Endoreplication cell cycles: more for less // Cell.
2001. Vol. 105. P. 297-306.
7. Frenkiel-Krispin D., Minsky A. Nucleoid organization and the maintenance of
DNA integrity in E. coli, B. subtilis and D. radiodurans // J. Struct. Biol. 2006.
Vol. 156. P. 311-319.
8. Green R.E., Malaspinas A., Krause J. et al. A complete neandertal
mitochondrial genome sequence determined by high-throughput sequencing
// Cell. 2008. Vol. 134. P. 416-426.
9. Grewal S.I.S., Jia S. Heterochromatin revisited // Nature Reviews Genetics.
2007. Vol. 8. P. 35-46.
10. Kleckner N. Chiasma formation: chromatin/axis interplay and role(s) of the
synaptonemal complex // Chromosoma. 2006. Vol. 115. P. 175-194.
11. Morgan G.T. Lampbrush chromosomes and associated bodies: new insights
into principles of nuclear structure and function // Chromosome Research.
2002. Vol. 10. P.177-200.
12. Nigg E.A. Mitotic kinases as regulators of cell division and its checkpoints //
Nature Reviews Mol. Cell. Biol. 2001. Vol. 2. P. 21-32.
13. Olins D.E., Olins A.L. Chromatin history: our view from the bridge // Nature
Reviews Mol. Cell Biol. 2003. Vol. 4. P. 809-814.
14. Richmond T.J., Davey C.A. The structure of DNA in the nucleosome core //
Nature. 2003. Vol. 423. P. 145-150.
15. Siri V., Urcuqui-Inchima S., Roussel P. et al. Nucleolus: the fascinating
nuclear body // Histochem. Cell. Biol. 2008. Vol. 129. P. 13-31.
16. Thanbichler M., Viollier P.H., Shapiro L. The structure and function of the
bacterial chromosome // Current Opin. Genet. Dev. 2005. Vol. 15. P. 153-162.
17. Tremethick D.J. Higher-order structures of chromatin: the elusive 30 nm fiber
// Cell. 2007. Vol. 128. P. 651-654.
18. Woodson J.D., Chory J. Coordination of gene expression between organellar
and nuclear genomes // Nature Reviews Genetics. 2008. Vol. 9. 383-395.
19. Zhimulev I.F. Genetic organization of polytene chromosomes // Adv. Genet.
1999. Vol. 39. P. 1-589.
20. Zhimulev I.F. Morphology and structure of polytene chromosomes // Adv.
Genet. 1996. Vol. 34. P. 1-497.
21. Zhimulev I.F. Politene chromosomes, heterochromatin, and position effect
variegation // Adv. Genet. 1998. Vol. 37. P. 1-566.
22. Zhimulev I.F., Belyaeva E.S. Intercalary heterochromatin and genetic
silencing // Bioessays. 2003. Vol. 25. P. 1040-1051.
K. Tentative schedule
Week
Week 1
Class1
(lecture)
Class 2
(lab)
Week 2
Class 2
(lab)
Week 3
Class1
(lecture)
Class 2
(lab)
Week 4
Class2
(lab)
Week 5
Class1
(lecture)
Topic
Subject "cytology". Stages of
development. Cell theory. Cytological
methods
Light microscopy: device types, optical
data and instructions how to work with
microscopes.
Methods of slide mounts preparation for
light microscopy according to the
research objectives
The structure and function of cells. The
ultrastructure of cells. Structure and
function of cell membranes and one
membrane organelles.
Measurement of microscopic objects.
Assigned readings and due
assignments
a: 1 (Chapter 1, p. 1-5; 1232)
a: 1 (Chapter 1, p. 5-6)
a: 1 (Chapter 1, p. 6-7)
a: 1 (Chapter 1, p. 8-12;
Chapter 11, p. 359-367)
a: 1 (Chapter 1, p. 5-11)
Staining techniques used in light
microscopy. Confocal microscopy.
a: 2 (Chapter 1, p. 9-12)
Semiautonomous two membrane
organelles: mitochondria and plastids.
Non-membrane cell components. Cell
center. Ribosome structure and their role
in protein synthesis. Origin of eukaryotic
a: 1 (Chapter 1, p. 15-18;
Chapter 14, p. 451-453)
b: 8, 18
Class 2
(lab)
Week 6
Class2
(lab)
Week 7
Class1
(lecture)
Class 2
(lab)
Week 8
Class2
(lab)
Week 9
Class1
(lecture)
Class 2
(lab)
Week 10
Class2
(lab)
Week 11
Class1
(lecture)
Class 2
(lab)
Week 12
Class2
(lab)
Week 13
Class1
(lecture)
Class 2
(lab)
Week 14
Class2
(lab)
Week 15
Class1
(lecture)
Class 2
(lab)
Week 16
Class2
(lab)
cells.
Electron microscopy as a method of
cytological studies.
The ultrastructure of cells.
Structure and function of the cell nucleus.
a: 1 (Chapter 1, p. 8-12)
a: 1 (Chapter 1, p. 12-23)
b: 8, 18
a: 1 (Chapter 1, p. 15)
b: 9, 21
a: 2 (Chapter 1, p. 4-5)
b: 2-5, 9, 15, 17
The structure of mitotic chromosomes. a: 1 (Chapter 5, p. 171-178);
2 (Chapter 1, p. 2-4)
Karyotype concept.
b: 1, 7, 13, 14, 16
Chromatin. Levels of DNA compaction of a: 1 (Chapter 5, p. 179-187);
2 (Chapter 1, p. 4-5)
eukaryotic cells composed of
b: 1, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16
chromosomes. Structure and function of
chromosomes.
a: 1 (Chapter 5, p. 188-190);
Methods of chromosome analysis.
2 (Chapter 1, p. 3-4); b: 1,
Karyogram, idiograms.
13, 14
a: 1 (Chapter 5, p. 190-192);
Human karyotype and methods of its
2 (Chapter 1, p. 5-16); b: 1
studying.
Nucleus of interphase cells.
The cell cycle and its regulation. Methods
of cell division.
Mitotic cell division. Amitosis.
Cell cycle. Determination of mitotic
activity in plant facilities.
a: 1 (Chapter 18, p. 607614);
b: 10, 12
a: 1 (Chapter 18, p. 621632); b: 1
a: 1 (Chapter 18, p. 603-607)
b: 10, 12
Chromosomal human diseases caused a: 2 (Chapter 2, p. 19-30; 4243)
by abnormalities of mitosis and meiosis.
b: 10, 12
b: 6, 11, 19-22
Polytene chromosomes as a result of
"failure" of the cell cycle.
a: 2 (Chapter 6, p. 133-137;
Pathology of mitosis and their
Chapter 7 p. 161-166)
consequences. Polyploidy and
aneuploidy as a result of chromosome
violations during anaphase of mitosis.
Cytoskeleton – “musculoskeletal” system a: 1 (Chapter 17, p. 565-579)
cells. Stem Cells.
Cell division – meiosis.
Pathology of meiosis and their
consequences in plants.
a: 1 (Chapter 19, p. 648657); b: 10, 12
a: 2 (Chapter 9, p. 236, 249)
b: 10, 12
Week 17
Class1
(lecture)
Class 2
(lab)
Week 18
Class2
(lab)
a: 1 (Chapter 18, p. 633-640)
Pathology, aging and cell death.
Apoptosis - the genetically controlled cell
death.
Chromosomal human diseases caused a: 2 (Chapter 8, p. 190-226)
by abnormalities of mitosis and meiosis.
Gametogenesis in humans. Sporogenesis a: 1 (Chapter 19, p. 645-648)
and gametogenesis in plants.