Cell Biology

Abstract:: This course will present the student with a detailed overview of a cell's main components and functions. The course is roughly organized into four major areas: the cell membrane, cell nucleus, cell cycle, and cell interior. The student will approach most of these topics straightforwardly, from a molecular and structural point of view. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: explain what a eukaryotic cell is, identify the components of the cell, and describe how a cell functions; explain how cell membranes are formed; identify the general mechanisms of transport across cell membranes; list the different ways in which cells communicate with one another--specifically, via signaling pathways; define what the extracellular matrix is composed of in different cells and how the extracellular matrix is involved in forming structures in specific tissues; list the components of the cell's cytoskeleton and explain how the cytoskeleton is formed and how it directs cell movements; explain the fundamentals of gene expression and describe how gene expression is regulated at the protein level; define and explain the major cellular events involved in mitosis and cytokinesis; identify the major cellular events that occur during meiosis; describe the eukaryotic cell cycle and identify the events that need to occur during each phase of the cell cycle; identify all of the major organelles in eukaryotic cells and their respective major functions. (Biology 301)

Cell Biology, Spring 2007

Abstract:: Biology of cells of higher organisms: structure, function, and biosynthesis of cellular membranes and organelles; cell growth and oncogenic transformation; transport, receptors and cell signaling; the cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix, and cell movements; chromatin structure and RNA synthesis.

Read the Fine Print

Abstract:: In this exercise, students use fluorescence microscopy to look at organelles (mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum) and the cytoskeleton in PtK2 cells. In both cases, DNA stains allow students to observe changes in organelle and cytoskeleton morphology as the cell undergoes mitosis. In addition to revealing the cellular structures in a dramatic fashion, the exercise shows students that the distributions, sizes, and shapes of the structures are not always as they imagine them. Finally, observation of tobacco cells with green fluorescent protein (GFP) targeted to mitochondria demonstrates the use of GFP reporters for tracking cellular structures in living cells.

Read the Fine Print

Abstract:: Monoclonal antitubulin antibodies produced in mice will be used to label bull sperm microtubules and the location of these antibodies will be determined by use of a peroxidase conjugated secondary antibody and the DAB staining reaction. Protocols are presented for use in a second-year student laboratory class given in a multi-section (repeated) format. These protocols include those for preparation of poly-L-lysine coated slides and of bull sperm, as well as those for immunocytochemistry, using the DAB reaction.