2024/25 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 2024/25

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

Module summary

How does a cell maintain an internal environment essential for life processes? - How do conflicting biological functions occur simultaneously within the same cell? - How does the cell overcome the permeability barrier of its membranes to let vital substances in and out? - How do cells tell each other their biological condition and respond to environmental signals? The answers to these fundamental questions in biology will be explained in this module. The main objectives of this module are to explain: (1) the structure, function and dynamic nature of membranes and why these properties are crucial to living systems(2) the characteristics of the transport systems found in membranes(3) the chemical messengers used by cells to signal between themselves and the mechanisms used to perceive and respond to these messengers.

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 website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:10:43

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