Syllabus for BIO 205, Summer 2014
Introduction to Cell and Developmental Biology
Course Website:
Professor
Dr. Cris Ledón-Rettig
Room Number: Wilson G11
email: ledonret@email.unc.edu
Teaching Assistants
Chris Cowden (email: christopher_cowden@med.unc.edu)
Class Schedule
Monday-Thursday, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Recitation Schedule
Section 602; Tuesday-Thursday, 2:00pm-2:50pm
Required Text
1. Essential Cell Biology, 4th edition, by Alberts et al.
2. Developmental Biology, 4th edition, by Wolpert and Tickle
Both are available in the Student Stores. The required readings from these texts are indicated on the
schedule.
Goals/Objectives
The first part of Biology 205 (Cell Biology) provides a comprehensive introduction to the biology of cells of
eukaryotic organisms. This part of the course introduces the four major macromolecules of cells and how
they function in metabolism, gene regulation, cell communication, cell structure and cell division.
The second part of Biology 205 (Developmental Biology) provides a comprehensive introduction to the
development of eukaryotic organisms. This part of the course introduces mechanisms and processes that
are common to the development of organisms (e.g., induction and tube formation) and also explores the
diversity of developmental patterns among different taxa, including several model organisms that are
used in the laboratory to understand human health and disease. This section will conclude with and
introduction to the exciting and emerging fields of evo- and eco-devo, that will put your new
understanding of development into the context of the environment and natural selection.
With respect to both halves of the course, we will cover the scientific methods used to study cellular
activities and developmental mechanisms. This course as a whole will also introduce to primary scientific
literature.
Exams/Assignments/Grading
Exams: Typical exams will be a mix of multiple choice, short answer and longer answers that mainly
cover material from class. You will be expected to integrate information from class to answer questions
about material that you haven’t seen before. Makeup exams are only offered under very few
circumstances. You are strongly advised to pre-clear your reason for missing an exam with me before
exam time. Make up exams will be oral and likely more difficult than the scheduled exam.
Quizzes: Will be daily. They should be straightforward if you have reviewed and understood your notes
from the day before.
Grading:
Exam 1:
37%
Exam 2:
37%
Recitation:
16%
Quizzes:
10%
Tips for success: This class moves fast, especially during the summer, so it is essential that you come
to class prepared. The best way to prepare is to (1) read the assigned readings before each lecture (2)
download and read the presentation slides from Sakai before each lecture and (3) attend class, pay
attention, and participate. After class each day, read through your notes from the lecture and make sure
they make sense, and that you have crystallized the concepts. In other words, keep up! The quizzes are
designed to help encourage you to keep up and come to class. If you do well on quizzes, then you will
likely do well on tests. If you do not do well on quizzes, you need to put in more effort and/or change your
approach.
I highly encourage you to contact me with questions and to attend office hours if you need help. However,
do not come to office hours and expect that I will repeat what was covered during class. Sitting in my
office, blankly, without questions or direction, will not improve your comprehension or grade. Delimit what
you do not understand or what needs clarification, attempt to answer your own question through the use
of resources made available to you (e.g., textbook, assigned readings, recitation and lecture notes), and
only then come to office hours prepared with specific questions.
My goal is to maximize your learning experience and comprehension of cellular and developmental
biology. Learning a lot and doing well is more fun than the alternative and, more importantly, will give you
a solid foundation for other biology classes you will take later on. Once you understand basic principles of
cellular and developmental biology, it will be straightforward to apply these concepts to other topics
(neurobiology, immunology, evolution, etc…).
Honor Code and Course Policies
All work done in this class must be carried out within the letter and spirit of the UNC Honor Code.
Do not attempt to ask me questions immediately preceding lecture: feel free to bring them to your TA
during recitation or me during office hours.
Turn your cell phones to silent during lecture and recitation
Social media, gaming, and texting are prohibited during lectures – no exceptions
Food is prohibited during class – water or drink bottles are acceptable and encouraged
*Phone rings, social media distraction and food smells are potentially detrimental to the students
around you; i.e., these policies are in place for the greater good of the class.
Topic Schedule
Cell Biology
May 13th
Tues 1.1.
May 14th
Wed 2.1.
May 15th
Thurs 3.1.
May 19th
Mon 4.1.
Mitochondria (Ch. 14, pg. 448-482) 2. Cell Communication (Ch. 16, pg. 525-561)
May 20th
pg. 565-598)
Tues 5.1.
Microtubules/Intermediate Filaments 2. Actin, Muscle Contractility (both: Ch. 17,
May 21st
Wed 6.1.
Cell Cycle and Cell Death 2. Mitosis (both: Ch. 18, pg. 603-641)
May 22nd
Thurs 7.1.
May 26th
Holiday
May 27th
Tues Exam
Introduction and How to Study Cells 2. Proteins (Ch. 4, pg. 121-127, 130-132,
136-145, 148, 150-156)
Lipids and Membranes (Ch. 11, pg. 359-372, 374-381) 2. Membrane Transport
(Ch. 12, pg. 383-394, 396-399, 402-405, 407-414)
Intracellular Compartments and Transport (Ch. 15, pg. 487-520)
Meiosis (Ch. 19, pg. 645-657) 2. Cell Communities (Ch. 20, pg. 702-720)
Developmental Biology
May 28th
Wed 8.1.
May 29th
Thurs 9.1.
Cleavage & Gastrulation
June 2nd
Mon 10.1.
Neurulation 2. Tube formation
June 3rd
Tues 11.1.
Induction, Signaling
June 4th
Wed 12.1.
Determination & Differentiation
June 5th
Thurs 13.1.
June 9th
Mon 14.1.
Mouse & Xenopus & Chick
June 10th
Tues 15.1.
Cancer: an aberration of development
June 11th
Wed 16.1.
EvoDevo 2. EcoDevo
June 12th
Thurs 1.
June 16th
Mon Exam
Day
June 17th
Tues Exam
Day
Introduction 2. Oogenesis and Fertilization
Drosophila & C. elegans
Review
*Note that I do not expect any of the items on this syllabus to change, but I reserve the right to make
changes. Exam states will not change under any circumstances.
Recitation Topic Schedule
May 13th
Tues 1.1.
Introduction and How to Study Cells 2. Proteins
Reading: Dobson CM. 1999. Protein misfolding, evolution and disease.
May 14th
Wed 2.1.
May 15th
Thurs 3.1.
May 20th
Tues 5.1.
Actin, Muscle Contractility 2. Microtubules/Intermediate Filaments
May 21st
Wed 6.1.
Cell Cycle and Cell Death 2. Mitosis
May 22nd
Thurs 7.1.
May 27th
Tues Exam
May 28th
Wed 8.1.
May 29th
Thurs 9.1.
June 3rd
Tues 11.1.
Induction, Signaling
June 4th
Wed 12.1.
Determination & Differentiation
June 5th
Thurs 13.1.
June 10th
Tues 15.1.
Cancer: an aberration of development
June 11th
Wed 16.1.
EvoDevo 2. EcoDevo
June 12th
Thurs 1.
Lipids and Membranes 2. Membrane Transport
Intracellular Compartments and Transport
Meiosis 2. Cell Motility
Introduction 2. Oogenesis and Fertilization
Cleavage & Gastrulation
Drosophila & C. elegans
Review