PCB 3023 - Cell Biology

College of Natural Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2024 (640)

Requisites

Pre- or Co-requisite BSC 3017 with a minimum grade of C and
Pre- or Co-requisite PCB 3023L with a minimum grade of C and
(Prerequisite CHM 2210 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite CHM 2210L with a minimum grade of C) and
(Prerequisite BSC 2010 with a minimum grade of C and
(Prerequisite BSC 2010L with a minimum grade of C or
Prerequisite BSC 2010CH with a minimum grade of C))

Course Description

This course is a study of cell structure and function with emphasis on the properties of intracellular organelles. This course is concerned primarily with eukaryotic cells. Lectures are devoted to structural details and the molecular functions of the different sub-cellular components. Topics covered include exocytosis, endocytosis, membrane transport and the role of the cytoskeleton in this process, protein targeting, organelle function, organelle structure and organelle biosynthesis, protein sorting, motility, and cell-to-cell interactions. Lectures will also introduce the topics of signal transduction and cellular functions that are required for cell growth and programmed cell death, as well as how perturbations in these processes can result in human diseases. (Note: Credit is not given for both (PCB 3023C) and (PCB 3023/PCB 3023L).

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will outline the classical and historical events that resulted in the development of contemporary cell biology by:
    1. describing the historical development of cell biology as a science.
    2. tracing the major contributions in the field of cell biology including those of Hooke, van Leeuwenhoek, Schleiden, Schwann and Virchow.
    3. explaining the current theories on the origin and evolution of cells.
  2. The student will identify the basic organization of cell structures by:
    1. comparing and contrasting prokaryotes and eukaryotic cell types.
    2. describing the internal organization of the nucleus and the structure and function of the nucleolus and nuclear pore complex.
    3. observing and describing the basic properties of cells and recognizing different cell types found in multicellular organisms.
    4. describing various examples of eukaryotic cell specialization, including key characteristics used to identify differentiated cells in multicellular organisms.
    5. describing and recognizing intracellular compartments including ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi and lysosomes.
  3. The student will explore the role of protein sorting and transport in cell function by:
    1. explaining the role of the endoplasmic reticulum in protein secretion.
    2. describing the function of the golgi apparatus in post-translational modification and sorting of proteins.
    3. discussing the function of lysosomes and the role of lysosomes in phagocytosis and autophagy.
  4. The student will examine cellular bioenergetics and metabolism as it relates to phototrophic and chemotrophic cell types by:
    1. discussing the organization and function of the mitochondria, including the function of the mitochondrial genetic system.
    2. discussing the organization and function of the chloroplast, including the function of the plastome.
    3. illustrating an in-depth knowledge of the mechanism of oxidative phosphorylation including the electron transport chain, chemiosmotic coupling and the transport of molecules across mitochondrial membranes.
    4. comparing and contrasting the generation of ATP by mitochondria and chloroplasts.
  5. The student will explain the function of the cytoskeleton as it relates to cell structure and movement by:
    1. discussing the organization, assembly and disassembly of actin filaments.
    2. describing the interaction between actin, myosin and the role of these filaments in cell movement.
    3. comparing and contrasting the function and intracellular organization of microtubules and intermediate filaments.
    4. describing the biochemical basis for the function of microtubule motors and the role microtubules in cell movement.
    5. outlining the role of cytoskeletal components in organelle organization and structure.
  6. The student will illustrate the diversity of pathways associated with normal and aberrant cell regulation by:
    1. explaining the various types of cell interactions, including adhesion, tight and gap junctions.
    2. discriminating between the various cell signaling pathways and their roles in cell function.
    3. detailing the steps of the cell cycle, including the role of extracellular signals and check points in cell cycle progression.
    4. describing the events associated with programmed cell death (apoptosis) and the function of the central regulators of this process.
    5. comparing and contrasting cell regulation in a normal versus cancer cell and explain the role of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in tumor development.
    6. presenting results through written and oral communication.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: 05/16/2014, BOT Approval: 10/21/2014, Effective Term: Spring 2015 (495). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2019 (555). C&I Approval: 09/05/2019, BOT Approval: 09/24/2019, Effective Term: Spring 2020 (570).
C&I Approval: 02/17/2024, BOT Approval: 03/19/2024, Effective Term: Fall 2024 (640)

Related Programs

  1. Biology (BIOLOGY-BS) (670) (Active)
  2. Biology (BIOLOGY-BS) (640) (Draft)
  3. Laboratory Specialist (LAB-ATC) (670) (Active)