Molecular and Cell Bioloy II

Code:

BIOL1020

Acronym:

BIOL1020

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	196	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The Cell is the fundamental unit of life, and its structure and functions form central pillars of Biology. The Curricular Unit (UC) Molecular Cell Biology II (BMCII) aims primarily to provide the knowledge necessary to understand the architecture of the cell and the integrated functioning of cellular life. This UC also aims to work its contents in an application context, and to provide hands-on contact with different types of cells, organelles and cellular processes, as well as with some of the fundamental techniques and methodologies for building knowledge in cell Bbiology (eg, optical microscopy and cell fractionation).

Learning outcomes and competences

BMCII expects that the students acquire and develop the following knowledge, attitudes and skills:

• consistent knowledge about the general characteristics of the structure and ultrastructure of eukaryotic cells;
• consistent knowledge about the major structural and functional aspects of all subcellular compartments and structures of the eukaryotic cell;
• consistent knowledge about the main cellular processes, namely transmembrane transport, communication and signalling, protein sorting, intracellular membrane traffic, energy flow processes (chemiosmosis, glycolysis, photosynthesis, respiration), cell division, and programmed cell death;
• recognition of cell biology as a rapidly evolving cutting-edge area;
• critical spirit and curiosity towards the area of ​​cell biology and to science in general;
• capacity to search and deepen topics directly or indirectly related to cell biology;
• capacity to interpret, interconnect and / or apply concepts of cell biology in varied contexts, namely in other fundamental and applied areas of life sciences (eg physiology, development, biotechnology, medicine);
• basic communication skills in cell biology;
• capacity to work autonomously with an optical microscope;
• capacity to understand and correctly execute simple experimental methodologies of cell biology.

Working method

Presencial

Program

THEORETICAL PROGRAM

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Module I - The Cell and its study

The cell as the basic unit of all living organisms. The prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell. Evolution of the cell.  Techniques and methodologies for cell study: cell fractionation, cell isolation, cell and organ culture, optical and electron microscopy, immunological techniques, in vivo methodologies, cell imaging.

Module II - Biological membranes and the social / environmental context of the cell

Lipids and carbohydrates: types,nomenclature and properties. Universal characteristics of biological membranes. Composition, architecture and dynamics of membranes. Transport of solutes through biological membranes. Types of transport molecules and their transport mechanisms. Social / environmental context of the cell: adherence and communication. Extracellular matrix and intercellular binding structures. Types of signals, mechanisms of perception and mechanisms of signal transduction. Receptors, molecular switches, secondary messengers and signaling complexes. 

Module III - Structural and functional compartmentalization of the cell

Cell compartmentalization and intracellular protein sorting. Secretory or endomembrane system. Endoplasmic reticulum: structure and functions. Golgi apparatus: structure and functions. Synthesis, processing and transport of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates in the secretory system. Exocytosis, endocytosis and lysosomes.Transit of membrane vesicles. Peroxisomes: structure, functions and ontogeny. Cytoskeleton. Structure and function of actin filaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments. Motor proteins, cillia and flagella.

Module IV - Energy flow in the cell

Conservation and flow of energy in living beings. The central role of nucleotides in energy metabolism. Chemiosmotic synthesis of ATP. The role of membranes in bioenergetics. Photosynthesis. Plastids: general characteristics and plasticity. Capture of light energy. Photosystems. The thylakoid electron transport chain. The Z-scheme. Photophosphorylation. The carbon fixation cycle. Photorespiration. C4 photosynthesis and CAM photosynthesis. Glycolysis and fermentation. Aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration. Mitochondria: general characteristics. The mitochondrial genome. The tricarboxylic acids cycle. Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Diversity of central metabolic pathways. Classification of organisms regarding the source of carbon and the source of electrons.

Module V - The cell cycle

Life cycle of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Nucleus, nucleolus and other sub-nuclear structures. Chromosome organization and chromatin structure. Mitosis and meiosis. Cytokinesis in animal and plant cells. Regulation of the cell cycle: checkpoints and control by cyclin-dependent kinases and the cyclosome. Programmed cell death in animals and plants. Apoptosis: regulation and execution by caspases; extrinsic pathway and intrinsic pathway.


PRACTICAL PROGRAM

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Unit I. Observation of cells under Light Microscopy (LM) and in Electron Microscopy (EM) images

A1. Handling of the LM.
A2. Observation of bacteria under LM and in EM images.
A3. Observation of cyanobacteria under LM and in EM images.
A4. Observation of animal cells under LM and in EM images.
A5. Observation of plant cells under LM and in EM images.
A6. Extensive observation of cellular ultrastructure in EM images.

Unit II. Spectrophotometry

A1. Measurement of methylene blueabsorption spectrum.
A2. Spectrophotometric quantification of methylene blue.
A3. Determination of extinction coefficients of methylene blue.

Unit III. Energy flow in living beings

A1. Isolation of chloroplasts.
A2. Extraction and quantification of chlorophylls from the chloroplast suspension.
A3. Study of the Hill reaction in isolated thylakoids in the presence of the electron acceptor DCPIP.

Unit IV. Observation of dividing cells

A1. Growth of onion bulb roots.
A2. Fixation of onion roots.
A3. Observation of mitosis phases in cells of the apical meristem of onion roots (Allium cepa).

Mandatory literature

Alberts Bruce 070; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 9780815344643
Lodish Harvey F. 070; Molecular cell biology. ISBN: 9781464109812

Complementary Bibliography

Nelson David L. David Lee 1942-; Lehninger principles of biochemistry. ISBN: 978-1-57259-931-4
Salema Roberto; Atlas de ultrastrutura celular
Azevedo Carlos 34040; Biologia celular e molecular. ISBN: 978-972-757-354-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes with a component of formal lecture and they may also have a component of interactive activities, including the guided and discussed resolution of formative questionnaires, the use of case studies, and autonomous research work under guidance. Use of explanatory/power point classes recorded in video for autonomous study. 

Practical lab classes including experimental planning, execution of practical procedures, and treatment and discussion of results.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Cell biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	95,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	3,50
Trabalho escrito	1,50
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	114,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance in 75% of practical classes and realization of the practical test (TP).

Student workers need to do 2/3 of the practical classes work.

 

Calculation formula of final grade

Assessment of the Theoretical Component (T)

Mode 1 - Based solely on class attendance. Final grade = average of two assessments.

The first assessment is mid-semester and the second is scheduled for the normal exam period. Each assessment is graded on a scale of 0-20 points.

A minimum grade of 7.0 is required for each assessment. Only students who obtain a grade of 7.0 or higher on the 1st assessment may take the 2nd assessment. Students who are unable to take the 2nd assessment will be automatically enrolled in a comprehensive theoretical exam during the appeal period.

Mode 2 (optional but strongly recommended) - Class attendance + online quizzes. Final grade = average of the two assessments (90%) + average of the best 4/5 online quiz grades (10%).

Online quizzes will be made available at the end of each class and at the end of each of the 5 modules, with strict time limits.

Final Theoretical Grade - will be the highest between the calculation made by the two modes (since Mode 2 includes Mode 1).

Assessment of the Practical Component (P)

Comprehensive theoretical-practical test (TP) at the end of the course, graded out to 20 points, covering the material from the practical classes - 85%.

Assessment activities during practical classes - 15%.

The comprehensive test has a minimum grade of 7.0. In case of failure, it is possible to retake the TP test during the appeal period.

Appeal and Improvement

The assessments of the theoretical and practical components are independent in terms of appeal and improvement periods. That is, during the appeal period, it is only necessary to retake the assessment for the component that was not passed or whose grade you wish to improve.

FINAL GRADE = (2T+P)/3

 

Classification improvement

 

 

Observations

Coordination: Mariana Sottomayor
Juri: Mariana Sottomayor and Luís Gustavo Pereira