Course Overview: B.Sc in Biotechnology - Cell Biology Syllabus

Course Objective

The objective of the Cell Biology course is to provide foundational knowledge related to the following key topics:

• Cell structure
• Organelles
• Membrane dynamics
• Cytoskeleton
• Cell cycle
• Cell death
• Communication mechanisms

Course Content

The course is divided into four units, each covering different aspects of cell biology.

Unit I: Introduction to Cell Biology

1. Discovery of Cells
       - Historical context of cell discovery.
       - Key contributors to cell theory.
2. General Organization of Cells
       - Distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.     - Types of cells categorized by their structure and function.
3. Plasma Membrane:
       - Structure and Function:
           - Composed of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins.
       - Membrane Composition:
           - Importance of lipid bilayer, role of carbohydrates in cell signaling and recognition.     - Membrane Fluidity:
           - Factors affecting lipid bilayer fluidity including temperature and composition.
           - Importance of fluidity in membrane function.
       - Dynamic Nature of the Plasma Membrane:
           - Key aspects of membrane dynamics including mobility of proteins and lipids.
4. Solute Movement Across Cell Membranes:     - Diffusion through Lipid Bilayer:
           - Passive transport mechanism and its implications.     - Ion Channels and Facilitated Diffusion:
           - Role of specific channels and carriers in solute transport.     - Active Transport:
           - Mechanisms requiring energy (ATP) for moving substances against their concentration gradient.     - Membrane Potential:
           - Description of electrical gradient across membranes and implications for cellular processes.     - Endocytosis and Exocytosis:
           - Processes of vesicle formation for material transport into (endocytosis) and out of (exocytosis) the cell.     - Phagocytosis:
           - Mechanism and importance of engulfing large particles, formation of vesicles for transport.

Unit II: Cell Organelles

1. Types, Structure, and Function of Organelles:     - Organelles without Membrane:
           - Cell Wall:
               - Function and composition in plant cells.
           - Ribosomes:
               - Role in protein synthesis; location can be free or bound to the endoplasmic reticulum.
           - Cytoskeleton:
               - Components including microtubules, actin filaments contribute to cell structure and motility.     - Single Membrane-bound Organelles:
           - Vacuole:
               - Storage function in cells; size and relevance vary between plant and animal cells.
           - Lysosome:
               - Contains hydrolytic enzymes for digestion of macromolecules; roles in cellular waste processing.
           - Golgi Apparatus:
               - Role in protein modification and sorting for secretion.         - Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):
               - Rough ER:
                   - Studded with ribosomes; involved in protein synthesis.
               - Smooth ER:
                   - Synthesizes lipids and processes toxins.     - Double Membrane-bound Organelles:
           - Nucleus:
               - Contains genetic material; role of the nuclear envelope in transport of molecules.
           - Mitochondria:
               - Powerhouse of the cell; role in ATP production, biochemical pathways (i.e., Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation).         - Chloroplast:
               - Site of photosynthesis in plant cells; structure and function of thylakoids and stroma.

Unit III: The Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility

1. Overview of the Major Functions of the Cytoskeleton:
       - Structural support, intracellular transport, and facilitation of movement.
2. Structure and Function of Microtubules:
       - Composition and roles in cell division and transport.
3. Motor Proteins:     - Kinesins and Dyneins:
           - Mechanisms of action and significance for intracellular transport of organelles and vesicles.
4. Microtubule-Organizing Centers (MTOCs):     - Importance for organization of microtubules during mitosis and cellular structures.
5. Structure and Function of Cilia and Flagella:
       - Mechanisms of movement; structural components such as axoneme.
6. Intermediate Filaments:
       - Role in maintaining cell shape and providing mechanical support.
7. Actin and Myosin:
       - Role of actin filaments in muscle contraction and cellular movements.

Unit IV: Cell Cycle, Cell Death

1. Cell Cycle:
       - Phases of the cell cycle: interphase, mitosis, cytokinesis.
2. Regulation of the Cell Cycle:
       - Molecular mechanisms controlling progression through the cell cycle including checkpoints.
3. Control of the Cell Cycle:
       - Role of protein kinases (cyclin-dependent kinases, CDKs) in cell cycle regulation.
4. Mitosis and Cytokinesis:
       - Detailed processes and significance of each phase in cell division.
5. Meiosis:
       - Comparison with mitosis; importance in sexual reproduction and genetic diversity.
6. Programmed Cell Death:
       - Concept and Pathways:
           - Overview of apoptosis; triggers and signaling pathways involved.     - Role of Caspases:
           - Activation of caspases; execution phase of apoptosis.

Suggested Readings

1. Iwasa, J., Marshall, W. F., & Karp, G. (2020). Karp's cell & molecular biology (Ninth edition, Australian and New Zealand edition). Wiley.
2. Lodish, H. F., et al. (2021). Molecular cell biology. New York: Macmillan learning.
3. Alberts, B., et al. (2023). Essential cell biology (J. Schindel, Ed.; Sixth edition. International student edition). W.W. Norton & Company.
4. Verma, P.S., & Agarwal, V.K. (2022). Cell biology. S Chand & Co Ltd.

Online Resources

1. Patra, S. (n.d.). Cell Biology. National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://archive.nptel.ac.in/courses/102/103/102103012/
2. Balasubramanian, N., & Ratnaparkhi, G. (n.d.). Introduction to Cell Biology. National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/noc22_bt33/preview
3. British Society for Cell Biology. (n.d.). softCell e-learning. Retrieved May 15, 2025, from https://bsch.org/learning-resources/softcell-e-learning/