Cell Biology

An essential foundation course for all people interested in plants. The cell is the basic unit of life. Its knowledge is most essential to understand how life works for higher animals and plants.

This provides an essential foundation for anyone interested in plants. The cell is the basic unit of life. Its knowledge is most essential to understand how life works for higher animals and plants.

Cell biology is an introductory course designed for everone wanting to learn more about biology. This is a foundation course for those wishing to have a career in health sciences, biology and biochemistry. Upon completion of this course students should have a sound understanding of cell structure and processes.

What is a Cell?

"The word cell is derived from the Latin “cella” which means “small room”. Cells are the units from which all living organisms are built. Some organisms (e.g. bacteria) have only one cell in the entire organism. Others are multicellular. A human body can contain an estimated 100,000 billion cells.

Each cell is a self-contained and partially self-sufficient compartment designed to carry out a limited series of functions. While the structure and function of cells is extremely variable, their basic structure is similar. All cells are bound by an outer membrane and contain cytoplasm and DNA."

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction to Cells and Their Structure
   • What is a cell, history of cell biology; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; cell shape and size; cell structure; the nucleus; the nucleolus; euchromatin and heterochromatin; the animal cell; the plant cell; human cells.
2. Cell Chemistry
   • Cell chemical composition; carbohydrates; lipids; nucleic acids; proteins; enzymes; cell membranes; golgi apparatus.
3. DNA, Chromosomes and Genes
   • What is DNA, Chromosomes, Genes; DNA replication; telomeres and telomerase; genetics; case study in genetic inheritance; phenotype and genotype; gene mutations.
4. Cell Division: Meiosis and Mitosis
   • Mitosis and meiosis overview; mitosis; meiosis.
5. Cell Membranes
   • Membranes; structure of cell membranes; movement of molecules through cell membranes; endocytosis; osmosis and filtration; hydrostatic pressure; active transport; electro-chemical gradient; nutrient and waste exhange in animal cells; mediated and non-mediated transport.
6. Protein Structure and Function
   • Protein structure; fibrous proteins; globular proteins; protein organisation; primary to quaternary structure; protein function.
7. Protein Synthesis
   • Overview; the function of ribonucleic acid in protein synthesis; transcription and translation; initiation; elongation; termination.
8. Food, Energy, Catalysis and Biosynthesis
   • Sources of energy; metabolism within the cell; catabolic metabolism; anabolic metabolism; ATP movement; Kreb's cycle; production and storage of energy; energy production pathways from different foods; biosynthesis of cell molecules; mitochrondria; chloroplasts.
9. Intracellular Compartments, Transport and Cell Communication
   • Cell communication; endocrine signalling; paracrine signalling; autocrine signalling; cytoskeleton; actin filaments; intermediate filaments; microtubules.
10. The Cell Cycle and Tissue Formation
    • The cell cycle; phases of the cell cycle; cell cycle regulation; cell death; cells to bodies; stem cells; animal tissues including muscle, connective, epithelial, nerve; blood.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Review basic cell structure and discuss the scope and nature of cell biology.
• Describe the chemical components and processes of cells.
• Describe the storage of genetic information within cells and how this information is passed on to the next generation.
• Describe key concepts in molecular biology.
• Discuss membrane structure and transport across cell membranes.
• Discuss protein structure and function.
• Describe and discuss protein synthesis.
• Describe the significant processes involved in transfer and storage of energy in a cell.
• Describe the significant processes that occur in cell communication and intracellular transport
• Describe the life cycle of cells and how they combine to create different types of tissues.