BC3503: THE MOLECULAR CONTROL OF CELL FUNCTION (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05

Course Overview

to become knowledgeable about the fundamental roles played by selected proteins or groups of proteins in the working life of cells, tissues and organisms;
to experience first-hand some of the laboratory procedures that are used to acquire the information learned about in lectures. This will also serve the general function of increasing students’ level of experience in designing and performing laboratory work and in data interpretation

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Term	Second Term	Credit Points	30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Professor Berndt Mueller

Qualification Prerequisites

Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4
One of BI20M3 Molecular Biology of the Gene (Passed) or BI25M6 Energy for Life (Passed) or BI25M7 Energy for Life (Passed) or MB3005 The Molecular Biology of the Cell (Studied) or MB3006 The Molecular Biology of the Cell (Studied)
Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

How enzymes function using selected examples; to include the role played by metal ions and co-enzymes, enzyme kinetics, inhibition of enzyme activity
The actions of selected enzymes; to include chymotrypsin, aspartate- and metallo- proteases, impact on medicine
How enzymes are regulated; to include allosteric regulation, covalent modification, isozymes, precursor processing
The background rational and experimental evidence for the traditional concept of a rate-limiting enzyme in the regulation of flux through metabolic pathways
The concept of metabolic control analysis to explain how flux through metabolic pathways is regulated; to include the flux control coefficient of each enzyme in a pathway
The concepts of chemiosmosis and intracellular homeostasis
The structural and functional features of selected membrane transport proteins
The mechanisms that regulate body mass and the resultant metabolic diseases that occur when these go awry
The current status of understanding of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Selected aspects of cell signalling including the operation of tyrosine kinase receptors, G-proteins, lipid-derivatives and calcium ions as second messengers, cell signalling in the immune system
The nuclear receptor superfamily and describe the overall mechanism of action of steroid receptors and related non-steroid receptors (thyroid hormone, retinoic acid, vitamin D receptors)
The tissue specificity of hormone response as regards glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
The molecules and mechanisms that govern cell-cell adhesion and cell-matrix interactions

Students will also develop practical skills in data interpretation, communication (written and oral) as well as interpersonal and team-working skills. These represent transferable skills that will benefit students across a range of disciplines. The aims of the course will be achieved through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Alternative Assessment

Essay - 15%

Lab Report- 15%

2 x Tests - 5% each

Exam - 60%

Alternative Resit Assessment

One essay (15%)

One lab report (15%)

Two tests (5 % each)

Exam 60%

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Factual	Remember	ILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.