606-205 Cell Biology

Biology 600-141 and 600-142; chemistry 610-141 plus 610-142, or 610-161 plus 610-162 (Before 1998: 610-121 plus 610-122).

Biochemistry 521-211 and/or anatomy 516-201 are recommended.

This subject is designed to give students a thorough understanding of:

• basic cell structure and function;

• how cells interact in simple and complex multicellular organisms;

• the major organelles of cells, their functions and interrelationships;

• how cells communicate and interact to create tissues and simple or complex multicellular organisms; and

• how genetic information is expressed during these and other important processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Throughout, the subject will emphasise how our present understanding of cells is derived from integrating biochemical, structural and biophysical information. These topics will be illustrated by video of living material where possible.

At the end of this subject, students should:

• be able to appreciate and interpret images of cells derived from different techniques such as electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and video microscopy;

• be familiar with the diversity of cell types;

• understand how organelles interact to bring about basic life processes;

• become familiar with how living cells behave during different types of cellular activity; and

• understand modern techniques used in cell and molecular biology research.

A 3-hour written examination at the end of semester.