Cell Biology

Biologia Celular

Curse code:9494102

Isabel Maria Correa Calvente de Barahona

Learning outcomes of the curricular unit:

The aim of this curricular unit is the acquisition of fundamental concepts regarding the functioning of living systems, studying in detail the simplest living system, the cell and their interactions with the environment.
Students knowledge acquired previously will be developed, i.e. students should be able to explain at the molecular level the functioning of the cell and to understand different regulatory mechanisms which are indispensable for the proper functioning of living beings.
Knowledge in molecular biology is essential for understanding different diseases, that will be discussed and analysed, and it is also important for pharmaceutical industry.

Syllabus:

1. PRINCIPLES OF CELL ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION
   Characteristics of living systems.
   Concept of cell.
   General characterization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
   Molecular constitution of cells.
   Biological membranes.
   General functioning of cells. Viruses.
2. MOLECULAR GENETICS
   Concept of gene.
   Chromatin and chromosomes.
   Mechanisms of gene expression and its regulation.
   Genetic code.
   Molecular mechanism of translation.
   Cell cycle, Mitosis and Meiosis mechanisms.
   DNA replication and repair.
3. TRANSPORT MECHANISMS OF MOLECULES THROUGH BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES
   Passage of small molecules and macromolecules through membranes.
   Secretion pathway.
   Protein traffic for different organelles.
4. GENERAL AND SPECIFIC CELLULAR MOVEMENT OF NERVE AND MUSCLE CELLS
   Cytoskeleton.
   Polarity and kinetic of cytoskeleton fibers.
   Mechanism of muscle contraction.
   Cilia and flagella movement.
   Intracellular transport using microfilaments and microtubules.
   Function of microtubules during mitosis.
   Intermediate filaments.

Suggested Bibliography:

• Molecular Cell Biology, 2013, 7th Edition Lodish, Berk, Kaiser, Krieger, Bretscher, Ploegh, Amon and Scott W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. ISBN-13 978-1-4641-0981-2
• The Cell, a Molecular Approach, 2013, 6th Edition Cooper, G.M. and Hausman, R.E. Sinauer Associates, Inc., USA. ISBN: 978-1-60535-155-1
• Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2007, 5th Edition Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Garland Publishing, Inc., London. ISBN 978-0-8153-4105-5
• Essential cell biology: an introduction to the molecular biology of the cell, 2003, 2nd edition. Bruce Alberts, Keith Roberts, Julian Lewis, Karen Hopkin, Alexander Johnson, Peter Walter, Martin Raff, Dennis Bray. Garland Publishing, Inc., New York & London. ISBN-13: 9780815334804