2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
BIOL2210 Biological Membranes and Cell Signalling
10 creditsClass Size: 100
Module manager: Dr Lars Jeuken
Email: l.j.c.jeuken@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2013/14
Pre-requisite qualifications
BMSC1110, orBIOL1112 The Molecules of Life and BIOL1212 Tissues, Organs and Processes of the Human Body, or
BLGY1112 Cell Biology
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
Objectives:On completion of this module students will be able to:
- describe the architecture of membranes and identify the processes that lead to the biosynthesis and assembly of individual components (membrane lipid biosynthesis, insertion and integration: membrane protein biosynthesis, modification and targeting, enzyme complexes);
- appreciate that membranes are dynamic structures which separate and regulate cellular compartments;
- identify the mechanisms by which ionic gradients are established and utilised;
- appreciate the characteristics of the multi-subunit complexes that facilitate electron transfer either in metabolism and photosynthesis;
- describe the properties of different types of membrane proteins that act as receptors and those which act as transporters, using illustrative examples;
- investigate the transport mechanisms involved in the uptake of metabolites by cells;
- describe the components within generic and specific eukaryotic cell signalling pathways activated by extracellular signals;
- contrast the cellular perception and intracellular action of nuclear hormones with that of hormones acting via cell surface receptors;
- construct an example of an integrated signal transduction pathway detailing the components involved with time following the detection of an extracellular signal;
- explain how G-proteins, protein kinases, protein phosphatases, cyclic nucleotides, calcium ions and lipid-derived mediators act as signal modulators.
Syllabus
This module will cover:
1) Biological membranes
- the architecture and dynamics of biological membranes
- the processes that lead to the biosynthesis and assembly of individual components (membrane lipid biosynthesis, insertion and integration: membrane protein biosynthesis, modification and targeting, enzyme complexes).
2) Membrane transport
- the characteristics of the multi-subunit complexes that facilitate electron and proton transfer either in metabolism and photosynthesis;
- the transport mechanisms involved in the uptake of metabolites or by cells;
- the mechanism of ion channels.
3) Cell signalling
- the components within generic and specific eukaryotic cell signalling pathways and the activation of these pathways by extracellular signals (G-proteins, protein kinases, protein phosphatases, cyclic nucleotides, calcium ions and lipid-derived mediators);
- cellular perception and intracellular action of nuclear hormones.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
Private study hours | 80.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 |
Private study
The module consists of 20 1-hour lectures. For each 1-hour lecture, a further 4 hours of reading, self study and self-assessment are required.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
The module contains an assessed MRQ in week 10 and several self-assessed (VLE-based) or formatively assessed MRQs that are released during the module.Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
In-course MCQ | formative | 0.00 |
In-course MCQ | summative | 20.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 20.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 30 mins | 80.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 80.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 03/10/2011
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
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- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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