BS13510 - BIOLOGY OF THE CELL

Module Identifier

BS13510

Module Title

BIOLOGY OF THE CELL

Academic Year

2007/2008

Co-ordinator

Dr Aileen R Smith

Semester

Semester 1

Other staff

Dr Paul Kenton, Dr Iolo Ap Gwynn, Dr Mustak A Kaderbhai

Pre-Requisite

Normally A or AS level Biology

Co-Requisite

BS12910 - Biochemistry of Life

Course delivery

Lecture

18 x 1hour lectures

Practical

2 x 3 hour practicals (duplicated)

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Exam	2 Hours Written paper (MCQs 35%: Short Answers 35%)	70%
Supplementary Exam	2 Hours Written paper	70%
Semester Assessment	1 Hours practical exam held in the department (20%); peer assessment of practical activity (10%)	30%
Supplementary Assessment	1 Hours Practical exam re-take of failed practical exam or alternative (as determined by the exam board).	30%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

describe the integrated structure and function of the generalized eukaryotic cell
describe the energy-utilizing machinery of the cell and discuss its role as an efficient recycling factory with organized and regulated inputs and outputs
identify the structures of cell organelles and their chemical constitution
discuss the functions of the various cell organelles, their intercommunication and their contribution to the overall functioning of the cell

Content

Topics include:

Evolution of the cell, emphasizing the increasing compartmentalization.
Assimilation of chloroplasts and mitochondria as energy converters.
Generalized cell construction and the structure and function of organelles.
Generalized membrane structure and the plant cell wall synthesis, construction and function.
Transport of ions and small molecules across the plasma membrane.
Cellular import and export of macromolecules.
Cell junctions and communication between cells.
Structure of the cytoskeletal constituents in relation to cellular motility and intracellular transport.
Nuclear structure and function in terms of replication of DNA and RNA synthesis.
Ribosome assembly and function in translation.
The Golgi apparatus and its role in protein targeting.
Lysosome structure and function in relation to recycling.
Social behaviour of cells and multicellularity.

Module Skills

Problem solving	Practical classes will provide opportunities to develop problem solving skills.
Communication	Attendance at lectures, presentation of practical work and written examinations will provide opportunities to develop written and listening skills.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Attendance at lectures and practicals, working to deadlines for practicals and preparation for examinations will require the development of self management strategies and personal action plans.
Team work	Practicals will require some degree of teamwork. Students will also engage in peer assessment of data interpretation.
Application of Number	The practical classes will provide opportunity to develop numerical skills.
Subject Specific Skills	Subject specific concepts relating to cell biology will be developed.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Campbell, N. and Reece, J. (2005) Biology 7th. Benjamin Cummings Publishers
** Reference Text
Alberts, B., Johnson, B., Lewis, A.J., Raff, M., Roberts, K. & Walter, P. (2002) Molecular biology of the cell. Garland Science Pupl., New York
Becker, NH, Kleinsmith, LJ, Hordin, J. (2006) The World of the Cell Benjamin Cummings Publishers

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4