Course Title: EBTY101L Cellular Structures & Functions
Lecture 1: Dr. Vaishali Verma
Department: Biotechnology
Credits: L-T-P = 3-1-2
Fundamental Unit of Life: Cells are the basic building blocks of all living organisms, ranging from unicellular organisms (bacteria) to multicellular organisms (humans).
Characteristics of Life: Cells can grow, reproduce, process information, respond to stimuli, and engage in complex chemical reactions.
Cell Biology Focus: Study of cellular structure, function, and behavior is critical.
Structural Diversity: Cells come in varied shapes and sizes, yet share common structural features and processes.
Eubacteria: Lactococcus lactis
Archaebacteria: Methanosarcina
Blood cells
Large single cells: Fossilized dinosaur eggs
Volvox aureus: A colonial green alga
A Purkinje neuron from the cerebellum
Epithelial cells (villus in the intestine)
Plant cells with cellulose support
Module 1: Overview of Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells
Evolution of cells
Structural & functional units of life
Cellular composition (Plasma membrane, Cell wall, Nucleus, etc.)
Cellular transport mechanisms (Cytoskeleton, Junctions)
Module 2: Transport Mechanisms
Small molecule transport across membranes
Mechanisms of diffusion and transport proteins
Active vs. passive transport processes
Muscle contraction mechanisms (Myosin, Actin)
Membrane transport of macromolecules (Endocytosis, Exocytosis)
Module 3: Cell Cycle and Signaling
Cell Cycle: Mitosis, Meiosis
Stem Cells and Cell Lines
Principles of Cell Signaling and its role in cancer development
Molecular Cell Biology: Lodish et al., 8th ed., W. H. Freeman, 2016.
Cell and Molecular Biology: Karp, 8th ed., Wiley, 2015.
Molecular Biology of the Cell: Alberts et al., 6th ed., Norton, 2014.
The Cell as a Machine: Sheetz & Yu, Cambridge, 2018.
CO1: Understanding the origin and evolution of cells; distinguishing structural and functional differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
CO2: Comprehending the role of cytoskeleton components in cell movement and junctions of cell-to-cell interaction.
CO3: Describing small and macromolecule movement across membranes, along with the electrical properties of cell membranes.
CO4: Explaining intracellular vesicular trafficking mechanisms, protein sorting, and nuclear transport processes.
CO5: Understanding cell cycle processes and stem cell classifications and applications.
CO6: Grasping principles of cell signaling, ligand-receptor interactions, oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes involved in cancer.
Mid-Semester Exams: 20%
End-Semester Exams: 40% (Full syllabus)
Classwork Assessment: 40%
Quiz: 20%
Lab Continuous Evaluation: 10%
Final Lab Examination: 10%
Cell Classification:
Prokaryotes: Lack a nucleus
Eukaryotes: Have a nucleus
Common Features:
All cells store hereditary information in DNA.
All replicate DNA through templated polymerization.
RNA mediates hereditary information transcriptions.
Proteins act as catalysts in metabolic processes.
Energy is required for cellular functions; ATP is generated through conserved pathways.
Evolution Questions:
How did the first cell develop?
How did present-day cell complexity evolve?
Cell Origins: Cells evolved from a rich environment of organic molecules.
Energy Generation: Development of efficient mechanisms for energy generation and molecule synthesis is crucial for cell activity.
ATP Production: All cells utilize ATP as a primary energy source for various functions, including movement.
Pathway Evolution: Evolution of glycolysis, photosynthesis, and oxidative metabolism allowed for increased energy extraction and utilization.