Fac. Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
The LEGO Bricks of Life
Full course description
This course focuses on the question how biomolecules impact biology as a whole, up to the level of populations and processes as complex as evolution. The course starts with the study of the structures and functions of major biomolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, fats and sugars), and how these form the building bricks for organelles, cells, organs, and organisms. Special emphasis is placed on natural changes in DNA sequences that subsequently alter protein structure and function, and thereby affect the proper function of cells, organs, organisms and populations.
Course objectives
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
- ILO1 Define different forms of life
- ILO2 Explain evolutionary mechanisms of random events and selection pressure and their effects on protein evolution
- ILO3 Describe the macromolecules of life (nucleic acid, proteins, fats and sugars) and explain how their structure relates to their function
- ILO4 Explain how organelles (Golgi apparatus, mitochondria) contribute to cell homeostasis (structure-function relationships)
- ILO5 Demonstrate why the effects of random events may have a bigger impact in a bacterium than in a eukaryotic cell
- ILO6 Explain cellular communication and its role in the specialization of cells – a prerequisite for tissue formation
- ILO7 Explain how tissues form organs with specific function
Recommended reading
BBS1001
Period 1
2 Sep 2024
25 Oct 2024
ECTS credits:
7.0Instruction language:
EnglishCoordinator:
Teaching methods:
Assignment(s), Work in subgroups, Lecture(s), Paper(s), PBL, Research, Skills, Presentation(s), Training(s)Assessment methods:
Assignment, Attendance, Final paper, Participation, Portfolio, Written examKeywords:
macromolecules DNA RNA protein cell structure and function basic genetics basic molecular biology evolution inheritance