Cell Biology

Code:

CN11003

Acronym:

BIOCEL

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Natural Sciences

Instance: 2007/2008 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Nutrition Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CNUP	121	Plano de Transição	1	-	5,5	56	148,5
		Plano oficial	1	-	5,5	56	148,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Cell Biology is the science of structures and functions of cells that in an organized fashion contribute to maintain them alive.
Cell Biology is an evolution of classic Cytology that took place in the XXth century fifties. For this to happen, there was a substantial development of morphological techniques and a continuous crosstalk with developments occurring in sciences as Biochemistry, Microbiology and Genetics, among others.
As a result, from a mainly descriptive morphological stand, Cell Biology progressed towards a dynamic, creative and integrated level of knowledge. Today, having adapted techniques of separation, identification and modification of biomolecules, Cell Biology is also Molecular.
Beyond the evolution in knowledge, Cell and Molecular Biology also developed an applied branch, directed to whole society needs: the Biotechnology. Several Cell and Molecular Biology techniques were optimized and adapted to on demand or large scale production of biomolecules and to the creation of genetically modified organisms.
Within Life Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology was surely the subject the developed most in the last quarter of century, which is a sufficiently good reason to be part of a Nutrition and Food Science graduation course.

I. AIMS OF THE DISCIPLINE:

As to matters, it is expected that students will learn in an integrated way:
1. The different types of cells and the most important techniques used in their study;
2. The properties of membranes, particularly cell membrane;
3. The structural and molecular organization of the nucleus;
4. The general mechanisms of replication and transcription;
5. The synthesis, processing and destination of proteins;
6. The cytoplasm organelles and their functions;
7. The pathways for reception and processing of signals from the milieu;
8. The cell cycle;
9. The basic mechanisms of cell differentiation and early human embryo development;

As to attitudes and aptitudes of the students, the aims are:
1. To raise or stimulate the joy to study beyond the class subjects, using textbooks, published articles, selected Internet sites and other media.
2. To educate in the search for the truth, employing and developing observation and description techniques.
3. To incite to science research and encourage objectivity.
4. To modulate the diffusion of acquired knowledge, rewarding the correct and concise use of language.

Program

Brief summary:

Cell Biology in Life Sciences; Molecules of Life; Cell Biology Techniques; Types of cells, virus and prions; Structural and molecular organization of membranes; Transport across membranes; Structural and molecular organization of the Nucleus; DNA Replication and Repair; RNA transcription and processing; Protein synthesis and processing; Control of Gene expression; The cell cycle; Hyaloplasm and cytoskeleton; Cell traffic of membranes; Peroxysomes, Mitochondria and plasts; Cell surface and signalling; Gametes and fertilization; Cell differentiation; Cell Ageing and Apoptosis; Early stages of human embryo development.
(A more comprehensive description of the programme may be found in Summaries of specific classes).

Mandatory literature

Azevedo Carlos 340; Biologia celular e molecular. ISBN: 978-972-757-354-7
Alberts B e col. ; Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland Science, 2002
Cooper Geoffrey M.; The^cell. ISBN: 0-87893-220-8
Pollard, T, Earnshaw, W e Lippincott-Schwartz, J; Cell Biology, W.B. Saunders/Elsevier, 2007

Complementary Bibliography

Sadler T.W.; Langmanc2b4s medical embriology. ISBN: 0-683-07489-X
Lodish, H e col.; Molecular Cell Biology, WH FReeman & Co., 2004

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes:
Last 50 minutes; they review the subject and so additional personnal study is necessary.

Practical classes:
Last 1,30h to demonstrate matters discussed in theoretical calsses and have a guide-text. Activities include observation of microscopical slides and electron microscope photos, and the performance of SDS-PAGE protein electrophoresis, a Western-blotting and a DNA electrophoresis. Other small in-class experiments are made.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Subject Classes	Participação presencial	56,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Calculation formula of final grade

The formula 3T+P/4 (where T and P are the marks in theoretical and practical exams) will be used for the final mark. The activities in the classes and essays made along the semester may contribute to the final classifications.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Essays-Monographies
To be written by groups of 2-4 students, maximum, up to 10 A4 size pages. They must deal with Cell Biology matters: approached in classes or related to Nutrition and Food Science or published in speciality journals. Non compulsory. Students are expected to present them in scheduled classes.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According to articles 32nd and 33rd, Academic Regulation, April 2006

Classification improvement

According to article 28th, Academic Regulation, April 2006

Observations

Compulsory Language of Teaching : Portuguese