Lecture 1 080125

Core Subject Overview

  • Course Title: EBTY101L Cellular Structures & Functions

  • Lecture 1: Dr. Vaishali Verma

  • Department: Biotechnology

  • Credits: L-T-P = 3-1-2

Rationale of the Course

  • 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.

Examples of Cell Types

  • 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

Course Structure

  • 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

Textbooks & Learning Resources

  1. Molecular Cell Biology: Lodish et al., 8th ed., W. H. Freeman, 2016.

  2. Cell and Molecular Biology: Karp, 8th ed., Wiley, 2015.

  3. Molecular Biology of the Cell: Alberts et al., 6th ed., Norton, 2014.

  4. The Cell as a Machine: Sheetz & Yu, Cambridge, 2018.

Course Outcomes

  • 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.

Evaluation Strategy

  • Mid-Semester Exams: 20%

  • End-Semester Exams: 40% (Full syllabus)

  • Classwork Assessment: 40%

    • Quiz: 20%

    • Lab Continuous Evaluation: 10%

    • Final Lab Examination: 10%

Origin and Evolution of Cells

  • 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?

Generation of Metabolism

  • 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.

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