2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
BIOL2210 Biological Membranes and Cell Signalling
10 creditsClass Size: 190
Module manager: Prof. John Ladbury
Email: J.E.Ladbury@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
Pre-requisite qualifications
Either BIOL1112 The Molecules of Life or FOBS1135 The Basis of Life.Pre-requisites
| BIOL1112 | The Molecules of Life |
| FOBS1135 | The Basis of Life |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
Learning outcomes
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.- Q&A session prior to MRQ.
- Lectures via Collaborate.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course MCQ | MCQ test in Minerva | 20.00 |
| In-course MCQ | Formative | 0.00 |
| 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 |
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 2 hr 00 mins | 40.00 |
| Online MCQ | 0 hr 40 mins | 40.00 |
| 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: 21/12/2023 14:47:38
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