Cell and Molecular Biology

Paper Code: 
BOT 121
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives:

This course will enable the students to –

  1. To provide knowledge about the intricacies of life processes at the molecular and cellular level.
  2. To impart knowledge in theory and practice about cell structure, organelles and their functions, molecules like proteins and nucleic acids

     Course

Course Outcome

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

BOT121

Cell and Molecular Biology

On completion of this course, the students will be able to;

CO1: Explain and analyse structures and purposes of basic components of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, with special reference to macromolecules, membranes, and organelles

CO2: Recognize and infer mechanisms of cellular components to generate and utilize energy in cells

CO3: Abstract and categorize responses of cell to environmental or physiological changes, or alterations of functions brought about by mutation.

CO4: Clarifying the roles of checkpoints, Cyclin, Cdks, and MPF in cell cycle control 

Class lectures

Seminars

Tutorials

Group discussions and Workshops

Question preparation

 

 

 

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects

 

 

 

12.00
UNIT I                                                                                               

Cell wall: Dynamic structure, functions and biogenesis of cell wall

Plasma membrane: Structure, membrane proteins, membrane dynamics (trans bilayer movement, FRAP), transport of molecules (passive diffusion, ion channels and pumps, active transport driven by ATP hydrolysis and endocytosis)   

Plasmodesmata: Structure, functions, comparison with gap junctions.

Plant vacuole: Tonoplast membrane, vacuoles as multifunctional compartments, vacuoles as storage organelle.

 

12.00

UNIT II                                                                                              

Chloroplast: Structure, biogenesis, genome organization and nucleochloroplastic interactions

Mitochondria: Structure, genome organization and biogenesis.

Ribosomes: Structure, functions and biogenesis.

Other cellular organelles: Structure and functions of Golgi apparatus, lysosomes,   endoplasmic reticulum.

 

 

12.00

Nucleus: Structure, nuclear pore complex, nucleolus and RNA processing

DNA: Structure, types (A, B and Z forms), replication, damage and repair mechanisms.

RNA: Structure and types of RNA, transcription, RNA splicing, RNA editing.                                                                                                                

12.00

The cytoskeleton: structure and organization of actin filaments, role of actin and myosin in cell movement, intermediate filaments, organization of microtubules, microtubules motors and movement and cytoskeletal accessory proteins.

Protein sorting and transport: Targeting of proteins in endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, chloroplast and the mechanism of vesicular transport.

 

12.00

Cell cycle:  Phases of cell cycle, cell cycle check points, families of cyclins and cyclins dependent kinases, DNA damage checkpoints, Cdk1/Cyclin B and progression to metaphase, progression to anaphase, cytokinesis and cell plate formation

Apoptosis and Programmed Cell Death: events of apoptosis, caspases, Bcl-2 family, regulation of apoptosis.                                                                                 

Essential Readings: 
  • Alberts, B; Bray, D; Lewis, J; Raff, M; Roberts, K and Watson, JD. 2008. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Publishing Inc., New York.
  • Buchanan, BB; Gruissem, W and Jones, RL. 2015. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants 2nd Edition. American Society of Plant Physiologists. Maryland, USA.
  • Karp and Gerald. Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments                  (3rd edition). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kleinsmith, LJ and Kish, VM. 1997. Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology              (2nd edition). Harper Collins College Publishers. New York, USA.
  • Krishnamurthy, KV. 2019. Methods in Cell Wall Cytochemistry. CRC Press, Boca Raton; Florida.

 

Academic Year: