BIOL2043; Winter 2011
Instructor:
-Aurora M. Nedelcu
-Bailey Hall, room 266; 458-7463
-office hours: Wednesdays, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm (or by appointment)
-E-mail contact: ONLY via Blackboard – Communications – Mail and/or Discussion (DO NOT send e-mails through my unb.ca e-mail address).
Time and Location:
-MWF 11:30 am - 12:20 pm (January 5th to April 6th); see Class schedule
-Bailey Hall 146
Students registered:
-140 students
Course description:
The course covers aspects of the biology of cells (both prokaryotic and eukaryotic) as independent entities and as parts of complex multicellular individuals. The course material is presented in an evolutionary framework.
Course objectives:
(i) To provide an overview of cell structures and functions
(ii) To view the cell as an open system
(iii) To understand cellular structures and functions in the context of their evolutionary history
(iv) To view cells as complex systems and appreciate the hierarchical nature of biological systems
(v) To appreciate both the unifying principles and the great diversity of biological systems
Textbook:
“The World of the Cell” by Becker – Kleinsmith – Hardin; 7th, 6th, or 5th edition (the Solution Manual to the “The World of the Cell” by Becker – Kleinsmith – Hardin may be found helpful by some students)
- copies of each are placed on reserve in the Library
Lectures’ outlines:
-will be placed on Blackboard prior to each lecture
-you can print out the outline and bring it to class
-LECTURE OUTLINES ARE NOT SUFFICIENT!!!!! You still need to read the material in the textbook and take notes during lectures!
-Lectures might cover material that is not included in the Blackboard Outline or textbook; this will be indicated during the lecture. It is your responsibility to take notes. If you missed the class it is your responsibility to obtain that information from your classmates.
Readings:
-will be mainly directed to chapters in the Textbook
-material that is not covered in the Textbook will be clearly identified during the lecture
-you will also be responsible for sections in the Textbook that have not been thoroughly covered in the lecture; they will also be identified during the lecture
-unless indicated on Blackboard or in class, you are responsible for ALL the information covered in the textbook pages indicated (including figure legends), at the level of detail the textbook provides, even if not covered in class (where we will focus on selected topics).
-post ALL questions about course, lectures and tests on the Blackboard Discussion, so everybody can see the questions and my answers (as often students ask the same questions)
Evaluation:
- 2 TESTS (see Schedule) – each testing the material covered in the previous lectures, AND a FINAL exam – testing the material covered during the entire semester
- make-up tests and final exams are offered ONLY if a written medical excuse is provided
- BOTH tests AND the final exam are required in order for the final mark to be submitted to the Registrar’s office.
- the two tests are each worth 25% and 35% of the final mark, respectively; the final exam is worth 40% of the final mark
- test and final exam formats will be discussed in class; if you miss the class, ask your classmates or post your questions on the Discussion site on Blackboard.
- the level of detail (how much emphasis on some aspects) will be mentioned during lectures; if you miss a lecture, ask your classmates or post the question on the Blackboard Discussion site
-studying for this class requires more than memorization; it requires the ability to compare, contrast, integrate
Grading Scheme:
A+ (90.5-100); A (85.5-90.5); A- (79.5-85.5);
B+ (74.5-79.5); B (69.5-74.5); B- (64.5-69.5);
C+ (59.5-64.5); C (49.5-59.5);
D (39.5-49.5); F < 39.5
Topics and readings
Lecture 1: Life on Earth - General Principles; Chapter 2
Lecture 2: Biological Macromolecules; Chapter 3
Lecture 3: Energy ; Chapter 2, Chapter 5
Lecture 4: Enzymes - The catalysts of Life; Chapter 6
Lecture 5: The structural basis of cellular information and Genetic code; Chapter 18, Chapter 21
Lecture 6: Individuality and Boundaries – Overview of Membranes’ Functions; Chapter 7
Lecture 7: Membranes: Their Structure; Chapter 3, Chapter 7
Lecture 8: Transport across membranes; Chapter 2, Chapter 4, Chapter 8
Lecture 9: Chemical Messengers and Receptors; Chapter 14
Lecture 10: Viruses, Self-replication, and the Origin of Life; Chapter 4, Chapter 21, Chapter 22
Lecture 11: The First Cells – the Prokaryotes: Diversity
Lecture 12: Chemotrophic Energy Metabolism; Chapter 9
Lecture 13: Glycolysis and Fermentation: ATP Generation without the involvement of oxygen; Chapter 9
Lecture 14: Chemotrophic Energy Metabolism: Aerobic respiration; Chapter 10
Lecture 15: Phototrophic Energy Metabolism; Chapter 11
Lecture 16 Eukaryotic cells: The endosymbiotic theory; Chapter 11
Lecture 17: The Cytoskeleton; Chapter 15
Lecture 18: Cellular Motility; Chapter 16
Lecture 19&20: Intracellular Compartments: The endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex; Chapter 12
Lecture 20: Exocytosis, Endocytosis and Lysosomes; Chapter 12
Lecture 21: Vacuoles and Peroxisomes: Multifunctional single membrane-bound organelles; Chapter 4, Chapter 12
Lecture 22: Mitochondria ; Chapter 10
Lecture 23: Chloroplasts; Chapter 11
Lecture 24: The Nucleus; Chapter 18
Lecture 25: The Cell Cycle; Chapter 19
Lecture 26 & 27: Growth control and Cancer; Chapter 19, Chapter 24
Lecture 28: Programmed cell death or Apoptosis; Chapter 14
Lecture 29: Beyond the cell: Extracellular structures, cell adhesions and cell junctions; Chapter 17