BCH3021 Final: Sem 1_BCH3021 Notes
BCH-3021 NOTES
Semester 1
Exam Styles (3 hours)
• 50%
• Theory Exam: two parts
o Part 1 (1 hour)
! 45 multiple choice questions
o Part 2 (2 hours)
! 6 short answers from a set of 12 (15-20 mins each)
! Recognise evolutionary relationships between phyla
! Emphasise the recognition of key features characterising phyla
UNIT Objectives
• Describe the structure of eukaryotic cells and explain the function of key
organelles
• Outline how different organelles are formed and positioned within cells and
how these organelles respond to a changing environment
• Explain the mechanisms that that target and move proteins to the correct
organelle and how protein mis-localisation and organelle dysfunction may
lead to human disease
• Discuss how the application of fluorescence-based imaging and other
technologies increases our cells, organelles and cellular proteins
Methods in Cell Biology (Lecture 1-2)
Techniques in Cell Biology
Concepts
• Identify, culture, image, fractionate and genetically manipulate specific cell
types
• Integrated approach: genetics and genomics, proteomics, structural biology,
bioinformatics
Research in Cell Biology – Reductionism
• Disassembling complex structures and processes " isolating individual
components and characterizing their properties
• Existing knowledge + imagination " build model
Technical Challenges in Cell Biology
• How do cells distribute proteins to various organelles? (monitor proteins)
• How can we visualise cells and cell organisation/interactions?
• How can we examine sub-cellular structure and organelles?
Approaches to Analysing Cells
• Imaging vs purifying
“Manipulated” Cells
• Engineered to produce a reporter protein
o Monitor expression of gene of interest, change cellular phenotype
Tissues, Cells and Cell Differentiation
• Organs are made up of tissues " made up of different cell types " different
functions " produce distinct proteins
• Skin
o Keratinocytes – structure of skin
Document Summary
Exam styles (3 hours: 50, theory exam: two parts, part 1 (1 hour) 45 multiple choice questions: part 2 (2 hours) 6 short answers from a set of 12 (15-20 mins each) Emphasise the recognition of key features characterising phyla. Identify, culture, image, fractionate and genetically manipulate specific cell types. Integrated approach: genetics and genomics, proteomics, structural biology, bioinformatics. Research in cell biology reductionism: disassembling complex structures and processes isolating individual components and characterizing their properties, existing knowledge + imagination build model. Manipulated cells: engineered to produce a reporter protein, monitor expression of gene of interest, change cellular phenotype. Propagating (metazoan) cells: cell culture: to grow in vitro, cells require a specific culture medium, cultures are grown in appropriate temperature controlled incubators, types of cultured cells, primary cells. Limited capacity to divide before undergoing senescence: immortalized cells. Are primary cells that have undergone mutation. Have acquired an unlimited capacity to divide: no longer undergo senescence, transformed cells.
