BIOL131(Z) Study Notes: Cells - Building Blocks of Life

Module Information

  • Module Name: BIOL131(Z) Cells: the building blocks of life
  • Module Leader: Dr. George Littlejohn
    • Email: george.littlejohn@plymouth.ac.uk
  • Teaching Staff:
    • Prof. John Spicer
    • Email: j.i.spicer@plymouth.ac.uk
    • Dr. Manuela Trubano
    • Email: manuela.trubanogarcia@plymouth.ac.uk
    • Dr. Chiara Boschetti
    • Email: chiara.boschetti@plymouth.ac.uk
    • Dr. Oli Tills
    • Email: oliver.tills@plymouth.ac.uk

Module Aims

  • Aim 1: To introduce biology at the cellular level, providing connections to the organismal level.
  • Aim 2: To explore structural and functional components at the cellular and subcellular levels.
  • Aim 3: To explore core metabolic strategies used by cells across life and the metabolic pathways involved.

Assessed Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, learners will be expected to:

  • LO1: Explain (using specific examples) the structural and functional features of molecules which make up the cell.
  • LO2: Describe (using specific examples) the key processes of cellular biology.
  • LO3: Describe the strategies and function of a range of core metabolic pathways that are found across much of life.
    • Focus: Examples from developmental biology.
  • Additional Note: Check DLE for the schedule of lectures in the module brief.

Themes

  • Developmental Biology:
    • General concepts and history.
    • Building a whole organism from single-celled beginnings.
    • Differentiation of cell types, tissues, and organs.
    • Transitions in development: metamorphosis, flowering, senescence.
  • Cell Theory:
  • Cellular and Molecular Approaches to Studying Development:
    • Biologically important information: endogenous and environmental.
    • Gene function and regulation in development.
    • Protein function and regulation in development.
    • Recombinant DNA approaches.
    • Model organisms: Understanding the general from the specific.
  • Limitations:
    • Discuss limitations related to the themes mentioned.

Course Assessment

  • Final Examination:
    • Worth 50% of the total grade.
    • Format: Multiple Choice Questions.
  • Coursework:
    • Worth 50% of the total grade.
    • Topic: Auxin in growth and development lab report.
    • Deadline: Thursday 4th December, 12 pm.

Laboratory Report Structure

  1. Background - Rationale for experimental work.
  2. Design and description of measurements made.
  3. Recording and sharing results.
  4. Write up results with appropriate graphs and statistical tests.
    • Follow: Recommended structure with clear assessment detail on Auxin in development and growth lab report.

Plant Development

  • Necessity of Development:
    • Plants need to develop, grow, and reproduce in situ.
  • Cellular Structure:
    • Cells are likened to bricks in a wall, supporting differential growth.
  • Totipotency:
    • Ability of cells to deal with physical damage.
  • Positional Information:
    • Role in determining development pathways.
  • Gene Expression:
    • Functions as markers and drivers of development.
  • Phytohormones:
    • Function and influence on plant development.

Directional Growth in Plants

  • Key Concept:
    • Plants rely on directional growth and development, contrasting with animals who exhibit behaviors and movement.
  • Aristotle’s Hierarchy of Souls:
    • Classification includes:
    • Bios: Vegetative life.
    • Zoe: Movement.
    • Psuche: Sensitivity.
    • Rationality: Unique to humans.

Developmental Stages in Plants

  • Fertilization and Cell Divisions:
    • Initial stages post-fertilization leading to cellular division.
  • Cell Polarity:
    • Establishment of different cell regions during development.
  • Cell Differentiation:
    • Processes of de-differentiation and re-differentiation.
  • Organogenesis:
    • Formation of organs from different tissues.
  • Developmental Decisions:
    • Making complex decisions based on various information inputs.

Iterative Development

  • Model Employed:
    • Plants utilize an iterative model of development, involving repeated modules and variations on common themes.
  • Example:
    • Equisetum arvense (horsetail) as a case study.

Philosophical Reflection

  • Goethe's Insight:
    • Reflects on plant development:
    • "In that organ of the plant which we are usually accustomed to address as 'leaf,' the true Proteus lies hidden that can conceal and reveal itself in every formation…"
    • (Source: Goethe, Italian Journey, 1787).
    • Connection between leaf and germ development is underscored, highlighting interdependence.

Plant Control of Development

  • Phyllotaxis:
    • Mechanism by which plants regulate and control their development.

Modern Research Techniques

  • Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (LSM 880):
    • Tool for examining plant structures at high resolution.
  • Quantitative Light Microscopy:
    • Involves dynamic analysis of living plant processes.
    • Reference: M.D. Fricker, J. Moger, G.R. Littlejohn and M.J. Deeks, Journal of Microscopy, Volume 263, Issue 2, pages 181-191, 4 MAY 2016.

Historical Context

  • Robert Hooke’s Micrographia:
    • 2025 marks the 360th Anniversary of the publication in which the term "cell" was first used.
    • This term described the microscopic appearance of cork and marked a pivotal moment in biological sciences.
    • Reference: https://lensonleeuwenhoek.net/content/hookes-microscope

Model Organisms in Plant Development Studies

  • Examples of Model Organisms:
    • Arabidopsis thaliana (dicot).
    • Oryza sativa (rice) and Brachypodium distachyon (monocots).
    • Physomitrella patens and Marchantia polymorpha (bryophytes).

Guest Lecture

  • Date: Tuesday 18th November.
  • Speaker: Dr. Oli Tills.
  • Lecture Topic: The importance of timing in biological development.