BIOMG 4320

Survey of Cell Biology

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2020-2021.

Survey of a wide array of topics focusing on the general properties of eukaryotic cells. Topics include methods used for studying cells, the structure and function of the major cellular organelles, and analyses of cellular processes such as mitosis, endocytosis, cell motility, secretion, cell-to-cell communication, gene expression, and oncogenesis. Some of the material is covered in greater depth in BIOMG 4370, BIOMG 4380, BIOMG 6360, and BIOMG 6390.

When Offered Spring.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: BIOMG 3300 or BIOMG 3330 or BIOMG 3350 or BIOMG 3310 and previous or concurrent registration in BIOMG 3320, or equivalent. Recommended prerequisite: BIOMG 2800 and BIOMG 2801.

Distribution Category (PBS-AS, BIO-AS)

Comments Undergraduate students must enroll in this course for letter grade; graduate students may enroll either for letter grade or S-U.

• Understand the molecular function and make-up of the major organelles and structures in a eukaryotic cell, including the nucleus, the cytoskeleton, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, trafficking vesicles, lysozymes, mitochondria, membranes, and chromatin.
• Understand the dynamic processes that underlie vesicular trafficking, endocytosis, the expression of genes, and inter- and intra-molecular signaling.
• Have an appreciation of the methods used to study the above structures and processes, including molecular biology and molecular genetics, transfection of living cells, fluorescence and electron microscopy, subcellular fractionation, and detection of specific proteins using antibodies and green fluorescent protein fusions.
• Be able to explain the experimental underpinnings of the current models for processes common to all eukaryotic cells.
• Be able to write a short review, aimed at students who have not been exposed to cell biology, explaining some aspect of current cell biological research.

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