DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES

Cell is the basic unit of life and the Cell Biology course is one of the basic subjects of life sciences. It explains the fundamental aspects of life and chemical and molecular logic of life. Cell biology focuses on the structure and function of a cell, from the most general properties shared by all cells, to the unique, highly intricate functions particular to specialized cells. The current course is an introduction to the structure and functions of cell and various cellular components. The students learn about the chemical structure and the biological functions of various molecules, membrane and secreted proteins, receptors, signaling mechanisms of the cell and the cell cycle. It includes the detailed structure and functions of cell organelles, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, signaling cascades of the cell and the cytotoxic events that may lead to cancers.

BOOKS & READINGS

1. Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments by Gerald Karp
2. Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry
3. Methods in cell biology by Mark F. Wiser
4. Molecular Cell Biology by Lodish

CONTENTS

1. Introduction to Life sciences and Cell biology; importance including the  scope and applications of the subject.
2. Introduction to cell, structure and functions of cellular components.
3. Introduction to Cytoskeleton; Chemical structure, molecular interactions and the biological functions.
4. Introduction to various cellular proteins; Proteoglycans, Collagens, Integrins etc. Chemical structure, molecular interactions and their biological functions.
5. Introduction to receptors; Chemical structure, molecular interactions and the genomic regulation by receptors, like GPCR, RTK, EGF, TGF beta-receptors.
6. Introduction to signaling molecules;Endocrine, paracrine, autocrin, neurotransmitters, growth factors etc. Chemical structure, molecular interactions and their biological functions.
7. Introduction to Proteolysis; Different components and the evidences from molecular and genetic aspects.
8. Introduction to cancer and apoptosis; cellular and the genetic changes that lead to cancer, their mechanism, classification and nature.
9. Introduction to endomembrane system, functions of EPR and the Golgi complex.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Sessional Marks: 20, awarded as per following break-up;

Oral Presentation: 10

Surprise viva/ Quizz:  5

Attendance/ participation: 5

Mid-term exam: 30

Final-term exam: 50

RULES & REGULATIONS

75 % attendance is compulsory, more than 85% will give 3, more than 90% 4 and more than 95% will give 5 marks in the sessional marks.