Wayland Baptist University
Division of Mathematics and Sciences
BIOL 4408. Cell and Molecular Biology
Catalog description: A study of cellular structure and function at the molecular level. Membranes, organelles,
bioenergetics, nucleic acid structure and function, regulation of gene expression, the cell cycle, and the modern
genetic engineering will be emphasized. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisites: BIOL 1401 and
CHEM 3404 or division approval. $25 fee.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1401 and CHEM 3404, or division approval.
Textbook: Essential Cell Biology 2nd ed. By Alberts et. al.
Course requirements:
1. Students are expected to read the textbook assignments and compile a complete set of notes from the text and
lecture. Students will also be required to access the virtual campus blackboard system.
2. Lectures are illustrated with slides, videos and models. Students are encouraged to ask questions and be active
participants in the discussions of the material presented.
3. The laboratory experience will be directed toward problem solving and scientific inquiry using modern
biotechnological approaches. Students are required to write up all of the experiments performed in the lab and
maintain a journal/lab notebook which will be turned in at the end of the course.
4. At least 3 traditional in class exams will be given as well as a take home exam and a comprehensive final
examination.
5. Group presentation/paper. You will be assigned to a lab group. Each lab group will do labs together and will be
responsible for cooperative lab reports and 1 research paper/presentation. The research paper/presentation will
count the same as 1 exam grade.
6. The lab grade (worth 25% of course grade) will be derived from an average of lab write-ups done sometimes
individually and sometimes as a lab group. Each lab group will also have to present and discuss 2 research articles
in class (which count the same as a lab write-up)
Outcome Competencies:
I. Students will become competent in the following areas:
The overall layout of this course is weighted towards cell structure, nucleic acids, gene regulation and signal
transudation. The laboratory will be in the form of a semester-long project that will integrate and translate elements
of the lecture material around a central biological question. Most of the laboratory exercises will be hands on
experiments which will utilize modern biotechnological approaches.
Introduction to Cells
Cells under the Microscope
The Eukaryotic Cell (to include information from Chs. 11,14 and 16)
Unity and Diversity of Cells
Model systems used to study animals, plants, cell cycle and development
Membrane Structure
The Lipid Bilayer
Membrane Proteins
Intracellular Compartments and Transport
Membrane-Bounded Organelles
Protein Sorting
Vesicular Transport
Secretory Pathways
Endocytic Pathways
Cytoskeleton
Intermediate Filaments
Microtubules
Microtubule Associated Proteins
Molecular Motors
Microtubules in Mitosis
Actin Filaments
Specialized Actin Structures
Actin and Myosin in Muscle
Chemical Components of Cells
Chemical Bonds
Molecules in Cells
Sugars, Fatty Acids, Amino Acids and Nucleotides
Energy, Catalysis, and Biosynthesis
Catalysis and the Use of Energy by Cells
Activated Carrier Molecules and Biosynthesis
How Cells Obtain Energy from Food
The Breakdown of Sugars and Fats
Storing and Utilizing Food
Energy Generation in Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
Mitochondria and Oxidative Phosphorylation
Electron Transport Chains and Proton Pumping
Chloroplasts and Photosynthesis
Protein Structure and Function
The Shape and Structure of Proteins
How Proteins Work
DNA
The Structure and Function of DNA
DNA Replication I: Prokaryotes
DNA Replication II: Eukaryotes
DNA Replication III: Regulation of DNA synthesis
DNA Repair
From DNA to Protein
From DNA to RNA
RNA Synthesis I: A mechanistic view of RNA Synthesis
RNA Synthesis II: Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic
From RNA to Protein
Translation I: A mechanistic view of translation
Translation II: Post translational modification
Chromosomes and Gene Regulation
The Structure of Eukaryotic Chromosomes
DNA Packaging
Heterochromatin and Euchromatin
Genetic Variation
Genetic Variation in Bacteria
Sources of Genetic Change in Eukaryotic Genomes
Sexual Reproduction and the Reassortment of Genes
DNA Technology – this is covered mostly in labs
How DNA Molecules are Analyzed
Nucleic Acid Hybridization
DNA Cloning
DNA Engineering
The Study of Gene Regulation
Gene Regulation
Gene Regulation I: Transcriptional Regulation
Gene Regulation II: Transcription Factors
Gene Regulation III: Post-transcriptional Regulation
Gene Regulation IV: Gene Regulation During Differentiation
Gene Regulation V: Chromatin Effects
Cell Communication
Signal Transduction I: General Principles of Cell Signaling
Signal Transduction II: Receptors and Ligands
Signal Transduction III: G-Protein-Linked Receptors
Signal Transduction IV: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Signal Transduction V: Second Messengers
Cell Division
Overview of the Cell Cycle
Mitosis
Cytokinesis
Meiosis
Cell-Cycle Control and Cell Death
The Cell-Cycle Control System
Yeast as a Model System
MPF, Cyclins and Kinases
Control of Cell Numbers in Multicellular Organisms
Apoptosis
Dysregulation of the cell cycle: Cancer.
Tissue Maintenance and Renewal, and its Disruption by Cancer
Development
II. Students will understand and be able to discuss the laboratory exercises.
III. Students will participate in a research paper/presentation.
Course evaluation:
University grading system
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-79
F below 60
I incomplete
W withdrawal
Attendance policy: As lab and lecture are combined, missing a single class period may cause you to miss both lab
and lecture assignments for the day. Based on the reason for an absence, the instructor may allow the student to
make up missed assignments. An absence will be marked if the student is absent or fails to return after a scheduled
break. Any student who misses 25% of the scheduled classes may be dropped from the course
Materials accepted by the instructor after the due date will be deducted 10 points per day (not class period) late.
No make-up exams will be given unless arrangements are made in advance of the absence, except in the case of an
emergency.
Note: It is university policy that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excluded from participation in, be denied
the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University.