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 Outcomes (COs):

     Course

Course Outcome

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

BOT121

Cell and Molecular Biology

Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to:

CO1: Explain and analyze 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: Understand the roles of checkpoints, Cyclin, Cdks, and MPF in cell cycle control.

 CO5: To analyze mechanisms of protein sorting in the cell and develop an insight into intracellular structural and motor proteins associated with the cytoskeleton and the latest R& D in this field.

Class lectures

Seminars

Tutorials

Group discussions and Workshops

Question preparation

 

 

 

Classtestst, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments presentations on, Individual and group projects
 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
CELL WALL

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, MITOCHONDRIA AND RIBOSOMES

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
Unit III: 
NUCLEUS, DNA, RNA

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
Unit IV: 
THE CYTOSKELETON

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
Unit V: 
CELL CYCLE

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: 
  • Bell, S. P., Baker, T. A., Watson, J. D. (2008). Molecular Biology of the Gene. United Kingdom: Pearson/Benjamin Cummings.
  • Hunt, T., Wilson, J. (2014). Molecular Biology of the Cell 6E - The Problems Book. United States: W.W. Norton.    
  • Watson, J. D. (2004). Molecular Biology of the Gene. India: Pearson Education.    
  • Amon, A., Bretscher, A., Kaiser, C. A., Lodish, H., Berk, A., Martin, K. C., Krieger, M., Ploegh, H. (2016). Molecular Cell Biology. United Kingdom: W. H. Freeman

 

References: 

 

  • Lewis, J., Hopkin, K., Walter, P., Johnson, A. D., Bray, D., Alberts, B., Roberts, K., Raff, M. (2013). Essential Cell Biology. United States: CRC Press. 
  • Buchann, B.B., Gruissem, W., Jones, R.L. (2015). Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants. (2015). United Kingdom: Wiley.
  • Iwasa, J., Marshall, W., Karp, G. (2018). Karp's Cell Biology. Singapore: Wiley.
  • Karp, G. (2013). Cell Biology. Philippines: Wiley.
  • Roberts, K., Watson, J. D., Alberts, B., Wilson, J. H., Hunt., Raff, M., Lewis, J., BRay, D. (1989). Molecular Biology of the Cell. Egypt: Garland Publishers

e-Resources:

Journals:                                                                                                          

  • Journal of Molecular Biology (Elsevier).
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology, ASM (American Society for Microbiology)
  • Journal of Biology (Springer Nature)
  • Molecular Biology Reports (Springer)

 

 

Academic Year: 
2022-2023
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