BI1C10: Cell Biology and Biochemistry

Module Provider:

AMS

Number of credits:

10 [5 ECTS credits]

Level:

C (Certificate)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn

Module Convenor:

Dr MJ Fry

Pre-requisites:

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2006/7

Aims:
To introduce students to the cellular and molecular aspects of life by considering the structure and functions of the living cell.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of the module students will be able to:

Additional outcomes:
Students will have improved their team working skills through practical sessions.

Outline content:
1. An introduction to cells and life forms. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Cellular dimensions.
2. Compartments and organelles; membranes, ribosomes, etc.
3. Plant cell structure and function. The plant cell wall.
4. Proteins: the amino acids responsible for properties of proteins and the basics of their structure. Diversity of form and function of proteins, e.g., enzymes, structural, etc.
5. Carbohydrates; simple sugars; glycosidic bonds; polysaccharides, etc.
6. Lipids; saponifiable and unsaponifiable; component parts of these.
7. Nucleic acids: DNA, RNA and basic organisation of genomes.
8. The co-ordinated roles of macromolecules in cell membranes as boundaries and sites for cellular activities such as transport and translocation. Membrane selectivity; cell resting potentials.
9. Metabolism; energy transformation; control of enzyme activity and metabolic pathways. Glycolysis; the further metabolism of pyruvate, gluconeogenesis. The tricarboxylic acid cycle; inputs, reactions, central metabolic role.
10. The mitchondrial electron transport system. The chemiosmotic theory and ATP synthesis.
11. Photosynthesis; the light harvesting reactions. Photosynthesis; carbon dioxide fixation.
12. Cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and death and how these processes are regulated by the cells environment.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Mostly lectures, but also smaller Group Discussions about the course material and Practical Classes on protein concentration measurement and protein structure and examination of plant cell structure.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Marked by attendance at two discussion sessions and by two in-class, prepared reports on the two practical sessions. Coursework marks are divided equally between the four sessions.
Relative percentage of coursework: 20%
Examinations
A one-and-a-half hour examination requiring the answering of 50 multiple choice questions.
This contributes 80% of the overall assessment for this module.
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in September only