Introductory description

This module lays the foundations for the study of organisms at the molecular, genetic and cellular levels. It is an essential foundation module for most other modules taught by the School, whose degrees are strongly oriented towards molecular and cellular aspects of biology.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. Evolution, natural selection and the Tree of Life - a molecular, cellular and organismal introduction
2. Proteins – molecular design of life, polypeptide bonds, amino acids, protein structure, haemoglobin, enzymes.
3. Membranes – structure, asymmetry and transport across membranes.
4. Molecular biology – DNA replication, translation, transcription, structure of nucleic acids, manipulating genes.
5. Genetics of prokaryotes – mutagens and mutagenesis, natural selection in bacteria, transformation, conjugation, transduction, Lac operon.
6. Genetics of eukaryotes – Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance, autosomal recessive defects, sex linked traits.
7. Evolution of the cell
8. Cell organisation and the cytoskeleton
9. Protein trafficking in eukaryotic cells: nuclear transport, protein sorting
10. Cell- cell junctions; the extracellular matrix
11. Mechanisms of cell division.
12. Control of cell proliferation.
13. Cell death and apoptosis.
14. Communication between cells and tissues

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• At the end of this module students should have acquired a thorough foundation of basic knowledge of the molecular biology underlying genetics, evolution and biochemistry, and how DNA information is connected through RNA and protein synthesis to the structure and function of cells.
• a) A basic understanding of the relationship between structure and function in lipids and proteins.
• b) Knowledge of the chemical formulae for the most important molecules.
• c) An understanding of the structure of DNA and molecular details of the mechanism of its replication
• d) An understanding of the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein, and molecular details of the processes of transcription and translation.
• e) A basic understanding of the application of key techniques in molecular and cellular biology.
• f) Recognition of some of the key processes in eukaryotic cell biology: division, growth, death, protein transport, the secretory system and cell-cell communication.
• g) Knowledge of the genetics of bacteria, including the mechanisms of genetic exchange, mutation, the concepts of recombination and complementation and regulation of gene expression as exemplified by the lactose operon of Escherichia coli.
• h) A coherent understanding of the classical genetics of eukaryotes, including linkage, inheritance of quantitative characters, cytology and chromosome mechanics.
• i) A thorough foundation of basic knowledge of energy generation, anabolism and metabolism.
• j) Knowledge of the major metabolic pathways and their regulation

Indicative reading list

Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Gatto GJ Jr and Stryer L. Biochemistry, 9th edition (WH Freeman 2015) or 10th edition (WH Freeman 2023)

Lodish H, Berk A, Kaiser AC, Krieger M, , Bretscher A, Ploegh H, Amon A, and Scott MP. Molecular Cell Biology, 7th edition (WH Freeman 2012)

Griffiths A J F, Wesler S R, Doebley J and Carroll S B. An Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 10th edn. (W H Freeman, 2011).

Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Morgan D, Raff M, Roberts K and Walter P. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th edition (Garland Science 2014)

Subject specific skills

a) A basic understanding of the relationship between structure and function in proteins.
b) Knowledge of the chemical formulae for the most important molecules.
c) An understanding of the structure of DNA and molecular details of the mechanism of its replication
d) An understanding of the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein, and molecular details of the processes of transcription and translation.
e) A basic understanding of the application of key techniques in molecular and cellular biology.
f) Recognition of some of the key processes in eukaryotic cell biology: division, growth, death, protein transport, the secretory system and cell-cell communication.
g) Knowledge of the genetics of bacteria, including the mechanisms of genetic exchange, mutation, the concepts of recombination and complementation and regulation of gene expression as exemplified by the lactose operon of Escherichia coli.
h) A coherent understanding of the classical genetics of eukaryotes, including linkage, inheritance of quantitative characters, cytology and chromosome mechanics.
i) A thorough foundation of basic knowledge of energy generation, anabolism and metabolism.
j) Knowledge of the major metabolic pathways and their regulation.
k) Knowledge of the principles of cell signalling: signals, receptors, second messenger, main signal transduction pathways.

Transferable skills

1. Information literacy
2. Problem solving
3. Critical thinking