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2012 Undergraduate Catalogue of Courses

THE MOLECULAR CONTROL OF CELL FUNCTION

THE MOLECULAR CONTROL OF CELL FUNCTION
Course Code
BC 3503
Credit Points
30
Course Coordinator
Professor K Docherty

Pre-requisites

BI 20M3 and BI 25M7

Overview

  • 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

    • Molecular mechanisms that regulate cell shape and movement; to include cellular cytoskeleton biochemistry
  • 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.

Structure

3 one hour lectures per week and 1 all day practical (7 hours) every week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%) consisting of an essay and practical reports.

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%) consisting of an essay and practical reports.

Formative Assessment

  • Mock exam allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.

  • Practice exam essay allows students to write under exam conditions and receive feedback on their performance.

  • Case-study exercise with feedback in preparation for summative assessments.

  • PRS-based revision sessions allow students to practice for MCQ tests and receive feedback on their performance.

  • PRS-based MCQ in lectures/practicals.

  • Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.

  • Problem-solving sessions.

Feedback

  • Practical reports and essays will be marked with written comments.

  • Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.

  • Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.

  • Written comments will be provided on the mock exam question.

  • Students are given general feedback on performance during PRS revision sessions.

  • Students receive on-line feedback on completion of the MCQ tests and quizzes.

  • PRS MCQ assessment answers discussed at the end of assessment session. Immediate feedback on practice questions available on MyAberdeen.

  • Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.