Biology 406

Cellular Biology

General Information

• Coordinator: Dr. Agnes Fok (Dean 2, 956-8303)
• Instructors:
  • Dr. M. Alam
  • Dr. H. G. deCouet
  • Dr. A. K. Fok
  • Dr. S. Kathariou
  • Dr. P. Patek
  • Dr. Celia Smith
• Lecture:
• Textbook: Molecular Cell Biology by Darnell, Lodish, Baltimore (2nd edition)

Lecture Topics

• Introduction. Survey of the cell and cell types
• Chemical bonds and equilibrium
• Biological thermodynamics
• Cellular components
• Enzyme catalysis and enzyme kinetics
• Synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids
• Techniques used in cell biology (2X)
• Demonstration and tour of BEMF
• ATP and coupled reactions
• Glycosis, TCA cycle, mitochondria structure
• Electron transport chain: respiration and oxidative phosphorylation
• Parallels between the mitochondrion and the chloroplast structure/function
• Light harvesting in photosynthesis
• Carbon fixation in photosynthesis
• Unusual carbon concentrating mechanisms
• Exam 1
• The plasma membrane
• Membrane transport
• Membrane trnasport and endocytosis
• Receptor-mediated endocytosis
• Protein import into organelles (2X)
• Golgi apparatus
• Microtubules, cilia and motors
• Cytoskeleton: actin and actin-associated proteins
• Cytoskeleton: intermediate filaments
• Cell motility and muscle contraction
• Mitosis and cell cycle
• Exam 2
• Meiosis
• Nuclear structure and function
• Relays and switches: differential gene expression
• Commitment, differentiation, and transcription factors
• Molecules and modules: the evolution of form and function
• Cell communication at a distance by chemical signals, three pathways
• Receptors, adaptation and regulation
• Bacterial chemotaxis
• Microbiological pathogenesis
• Cellular basis of immunity, antibodies
• Antibody genes and the generation of antibody diversity
• T lymphocytes and cell-mediated immunity
• General Review
• Final Exam