Biology 2B03: Cell Biology

Course Description:

A single cell is a complex and dynamic system. Thousands of proteins interact to allow a cell to move, communicate, and reproduce. Cell Biology is the study of the inner workings of the cell. Research in Cell Biology goes beyond what molecules are found in a cell to the understanding of how these molecules interact with one another in order to make a living cell.

In this course we examine:

• The components and mechanisms that control the trafficking of proteins to organelles within the cell
• Intercellular communication and the regulation of intracellular signal transduction pathways.
• The mechanisms and machinery that control cell division.

Cell Biologists employ techniques from different fields of research to study the properties and functions of the proteins in a cell including biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. In order to visualize the dynamic inner workings of a cell, researchers use fluorescent microscopy and video technologies. We will be looking at how experiments are designed and how data is analyzed in order to develop models of cellular function.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course students:

• will develop a scientific attitude towards research and data gathering by practising the scientific methods: formulation of a hypothesis, experimental testing of predictions.
• will be able to analyze and interpret experimental results from the field of Cell Biology
• will be able to describe common mechanisms used in the cell to communicate, grow and divide

Course syllabus:  Biology 2B03 syllabus