College of Medicine

2023/2024
1444-1445

1st year

Medical Biology 1
 Lecture`s Objectives

Introduction to biology
❖ List characters, organization and structural units of living

organisms & cell theory

❖ Identify organization levels of living matter.

❖ Identify Cells as the structural units of all living organisms

❖ Differentiate between prokaryotic & eukaryotic cells

 What is Biology?

Science classified into:

1- Natural science, study of nature
2- Physical science, non-living things as physics
3- Biological science, living things
So, the Biology is the science of life, From Greek wards: “ bio”
= life “logy” = study
• It is the study of structures, functions & relationships of
living-things & the interactions between them & environment.
• Medical biology, means study of human
 Some Fields of
study in biology

• Anatomy, study of organ structure

• Embryology study of embryonic development
• Histology study of cells and tissues
• Genetics study of heredity
• Microbiology study of microorganisms
• Virology study of viruses
• Mycology study of fungi
• Bacteriology study of bacteria
• Physiology study of functions & activities of living organisms
• Taxonomy study of classification of plants and animals
• Biochemistry study of biochemical process in the body
• Parasitology study of parasites
• Zoology study of animals / Botany study of plants
 Importance of biology

🞇 Understand ourselves and surrounding

🞇 Understand the interaction between living things & the
environments
🞇 Appreciate the diverse variety of living things

🞇 Better understanding how the human body function

🞇 Diagnosis of diseases especially under the microscope
🞇 Better understanding mechanisms of diseases to find cure for
diseases
🞇 Better understanding the genetics
What is the main purpose for this course?
🞇 Provides an overview of terms, subjects and skills related to
cell and tissue Biology of human
🞇 Prepares students to understand the fundamental principles
of living organisms.
🞇 Explore biological science as a process, cell and tissue types,
cell and tissue characters, ultrastructure and function.
 Assessment Tasks

Assessment task Week Due Proportion of Total

Assessment

Quiz 1& 2 4& 12

5%

Mid-semester theory exam (one 8th week 20%

correct MCQ)

Activities/ According to 5%
assignments (seminars, timeline
discussion & presentation)

Final Practical Exam End of course (th 20%

week)

Final Theoretical Exam End of course ( th ) 50%

 Characters of living organism
1- Movement/Locomotion (Musculoskeletal system)

2- Excretion (Skin, Urinary system)

3- Reproduction / Heredity (Reproductive system)

4- Respiration/ Homeostasis (Adjust to changes in the environment)

(Respiratory system)

5- Irritability/ Sensitivity/Adaptability (Nervous system)

6- Nutrition (digestive system)/ Metabolism

7- Growth, Development & Repair

 cell theory
The generally accepted modern cell theory includes:

🞇 All known living things are made up of one or more cells

(unicellular or multicellular).

🞇 All living cells arise from pre-existing cells by division.

🞇 It is the structural & functional unit in all living organisms.

🞇 Energy flow (metabolism & biochemistry) occurs within cells.

🞇 Cells contain DNA specifically in the chromosome (nucleus) &

RNA in the cell nucleus & cytoplasm.

 Organization levels of living organism (from
cellular level)
1- Cells are collected with each others to form a tissue.

2- Tissues are groups of cells work together to produce a same function.

There are only four types of tissues in the body.
3- Tissues are collected to form organs (made of different tissue
types)
4- Organs constitute the system (make specific function)
5- systems form organism (an individual)
Types of cells
 Prokaryotes:

They are:

1- Relatively small (1-5 μm), less complicated cells

2- Are surrounded by the plasma membrane & cell wall. 

3- Lack a nucleus (the genetic materials in the form of circular or linear

DNA free in the protoplasm )

4- No membranous organelles (The non-membranous ribosomes are only

present).

5- e.g. bacteria
 Eukaryotes

They are:

1- larger (10-100 μm) & more complex cell

2- Have a nucleus (organized stored genetic material) & many organelles.

3-May be unicellular or multicellular

4- Surrounded by the plasma membrane

5- Have distinct nuclei bound by a nuclear membrane or envelope.

6- e.g., Plants, fungi, animals and human.

 Eukaryotic Cells Prokaryotic Cells
Larger & complex Small & Simple Cell

> 5 μm (10-100) 1 – 5 μm
No Have cell wall
Visible with low power Visible with high power
Nucleus No Nucleus Nucleus
DNA in the nucleus & bounded DNA free in cytoplasm
with histone protein
DNA is Linear DNA may be circular or linear

System of organelles No membranous organelles Organelles

(membranous & non)

Ribosomes also present Ribosomes only (non-

membranous)

Both have plasma membrane

Mitosis & meiosis Simple fission Division
Animals & human Bacteria Examples