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.