Undergraduate Studies


BIOL 23000 The Biology of the Living Cell

Session Offered:
Fall, Credit 3.0

Prerequisites:

CHM 11600 or 12400 or 13600 and MA 16200 or 16600 or 17300 or 22400

Description:

This is an exciting time to learn biology! Living cells are highly complex, dynamic, and the products of evolution. In order to understand the biology of the cell, it is necessary to think about the cell in multiple dimensions: the three dimensions of space, the quaternary dimension of inter-molecular interactions, and the dimension of time on the microsecond to millennia scales. An introduction to cell biology builds on a foundation of the physical sciences and explores the complexity of life.

The course is divided into five main subject areas:

1. First Principles. We will review the relevant physical principles of thermodynamics and biological chemistry. The macromolecules that form a cell - proteins, membrane lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates - will be discussed.

2. Bioenergetics (or There's No Free Lunch in Cell Biology). We will discuss how the living cell transduces energy into useful currency. Topics include oxidation, reduction, glycolysis, ATP synthesis, and the harnessing of potential energy across biological membranes to do useful work.

3. The Central Dogma (or information flow). DNA is transcribed to RNA. Messenger RNA is translated to protein. Proteins are often modified post-translationally and targeted to specific locations in the cell.

4. Responding to the Environment. How do cells respond to their environment? We will discuss the different strategies that have evolved in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Topics include gene regulation and cellular signaling.

5. Cellular Systems. We will discuss a few examples that illustrate biological complexity. Topics may include cell division, cell motility, and intercellular communication.

Instructor(s):
Edward Bartlett 

E-mail:
ebartle@purdue.edu

Textbook(s):

Required
Text: Cell and Molecular Biology
Year/Edition: 5th
ISBN Number: 9780470042175
Author(s): Karp, Gerald
Publisher: Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Course Format:

BIOL 23000:

CRN

Instructional Type

Day

Time

Room(s)

12277

50-min Lecture

MWF

Sec 01-7:30-8:20

LILY 1105



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