Cell Biology

Volledige vakbeschrijving

This course aims to develop a detailed understanding of the cell as the basic unit of life. The cell can be seen as an organism that can perform a wide range of functions. In eukaryotes, these functions are linked to the different compartments/organelles in the cell: nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmatic reticulum, lysosomes, endosomes, etc. There is a continuous transport between the different organelles (intracellular vesicular transport) and between the cell interior and the extracellular environment (endocytosis & exocytosis). All these cellular transport mechanisms will be studied in detail. Additionally, the cell contains intracellular structures that regulate shape, strength, and motility, i.e. the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a highly dynamic structure and the different components of the cytoskeleton (microtubules, F-actin, intermediate filaments) and their assembly and disassembly will be explained. Finally the basic principles of signal transduction will be studied, i.e. how does the cell react to signals from the environment, how are these signals detected and how are these processed into a primary cellular response?

Doelstellingen van dit vak

• To present the structure of prokaryote (bacteria) and eukaryote cells (animal, plant, fungal). • To comprehend the structure/function relationship of the plasma membrane. • To understand the functions of cell organelles and sub-cellular structures. • To deepen the knowledge about transport of material in- and out of the cell • To understand communication between the cell interior and exterior of the cell (cell signalling). • To understand the principles of transport between the different cell organelles and how molecules and proteins are reliably transported to the different organelles. • To create understanding of cell motility and how the cell controls its shape (cytoskeleton).

Aanbevolen literatuur

There are two possibilities à one of these is mandatory: 1. "Molecular Biology of the cell" 6th edition (2014). B. Alberts, A. Johnson, J. Lewis, D. Morgan, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter; Garland Science: Taylor and Francis Group, New York, NY10017, USA (ISBN: 978 0 8153 44643) 2. "Essential Cell Biology" 4th edition (2014). B. Alberts, D. Bray, K. Hopkin, A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter. Garland Science: Taylor and Francis Group, New York, NY10016, USA (ISBN: 978 08153 44551) Number 1 is a more extensive book, which is recommended for those students who will continue in the molecular biology and/or cell biology direction. Number 2 is a shorter version of number 1, so it lacks some of the detailed description.

BIO2001

Periode 1

2 sep 2024

25 okt 2024

Periode 4

3 feb 2025

4 apr 2025

Vakbeschrijving afdrukken

Studiepunten:

5.0

Taal van de opleiding:

Engels

Coordinators:

Onderwijsmethode:

Lecture(s), PBL, Presentation(s), Assignment(s)

Evaluatiemethoden:

Assignment, Written exam, Presentation, Attendance