Cell Structure and Function Syllabus

Course description and goals:

An introduction to the organization of cells and the processes they carry out.  In particular we will examine components of the cell surface, cytoskeletal structures and organelles. We will study the transformation of energy, intracellular trafficking, transduction of cellular signals and regulation of cell division.  An emphasis will be placed on application of principles covered in class and on scientific approach.  Lecture material will be supplemented with student projects and laboratory experiments demonstrating relevant techniques in cell biology.

Prerequisites: Bio19 (Molecules, Cells and Genes) or equiv.; Chem 11 and 12 (General Chemistry) or equiv. (co-enrollment in Chem. 12 is permitted but not recommended)

Textbook:

Molecular Biology of the Cell, 5^th edition, by Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter.  Garland Science, Hardcover: ISBN 978-0-8153-4105-5

Lab 1: Introduction to light microscope - Use of the compound phase light microscope,  students will learn to set up kohler illumination and proper phase alignment, and preparation of wet mount slides.

Lab 2: Fluorescence microscopy – We will stain cultured mammalian cells with various fluorescent dyes and capture images.  Learn the theory of fluorescence microscopy and use of imaging editing software to display images.

Lab 3: Chloroplasts and photo reduction - students isolate chloroplasts from spinach, then assay photoreduction by electron transport under different conditions.

Lab 4: Flagellar regeneration – We will measure the growth of flagella in green algae by collecting images over a period of time.   Will be conducted as independent projects in which students predict the effects of particular drugs or other conditions and then test their effect s on flagellar growth.  Imaging software is used to collect and analyze data.

Lab 5: Flagellar isolation and analysis – Purification of flagella from green algae, gel electrophoresis to observe and identify protein components of flagella. Use of imaging software to analyze gel results.