2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BIOL1212 Tissues, Organs and Processes of the Human Body

10 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Dr Stephanie McBurney
Email: S.J.McBurney@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2013/14

Module replaces

BIOL1201 The Biochemistry of Cells and Organisms

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides an introduction to different cell types, human tissues, major organs, body systems and disease. It will be taught with an emphasis on molecular biology and biochemistry. Topics include:- cell motility, microfilaments, microtubules, and muscle;- plasma membrane structure and function, interaction between cells;- cell to cell signalling, hormones and their receptors;- nerve cells and neural biochemistry;- integrating cells into tissues;- cell interactions in development;- blood, the immune system, autoimmune diseases;- cancer biology;- the gut, its microbiota, and nutrient uptake;- the biochemistry of the liver;- metabolism in health and disease, the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and fat & cholesterol metabolism.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students will be able to:
- understand the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the role of cell organelles therein, including methods for their isolation and study;
- appreciate the biological and physico-chemical properties of biological membranes, models of biological membranes, and the properties and roles of lipid and protein components therein; understand aspects of membrane transport including an appreciation of receptors and cell signalling events;
- understand the basis of flagellar movement in bacteria in comparison to cilia movement in eukaryotic cells, including microtubullar structure and the role of dynein and organelle movement along microtubules;
- understand cell-cell interactions, their interactions with the external matrix, and event occurring in cell development;
- understand the biochemistry of neural synapses and signal transmission;
- understand aspects of nutrient absorption and uptake from the gut, and the role of microflora in the gut;
- understand some of the biochemistry of the liver, including the Urea Cycle, nitrogen metabolism and excretion, transamination, drug toxicity and drug hydroxylations, haem degradation and bilirubin excretion;
- understand the main components of the blood, the immune system and its response to bacterial and viral challenge;
- understand the main elements of cancer biology, proto-oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes, mutations causing loss of cell-cycle control, mutations affecting genome stabilities, antibody therapy and viral-induced cancers;
- understand the basis of the general regulatory aspects of metabolism of opposing pathways and key enzymes with particular reference to the interrelations of glucose and glycogen metabolism and the importance of glycogen turnover in different nutritional states;
- understand the basis of regulation of glycogen metabolism by hormones, including the role of insulin and the diabetic state, protein kinase structure and function, reversible phosphorylation and the concept of second messengers;
- understand the basis of regulation and control of key enzymes, end-product inhibition and phosphorylation, interrelationships of metabolic pathways and the importance of the fed and starved state;
- appreciate the metabolism of fats, aspects of triacylglycerol synthesis and transport and hormonal control;
- understand aspects of lipoprotein and cholesterol transport, involvement of cholesterol in atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolaemia, metabolic and functional aspects of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins, and the basis of lipid storage diseases.

Syllabus

Cell structure and function from a biochemical perspective, including the structures and functions of proteins and biological membranes, metabolism in health and disease, cell movement and interaction, biochemistry of the liver and nervous system, immunity. Practical experience of biochemical laboratory techniques, data analysis and interpretation.

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

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- MCQ, 1 x formative and 1 x summative.
- Unseen exam (30 x MRQ and 1 essay from 4).

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	1 x summative MCQ	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 website

Last updated: 17/02/2014

Disclaimer

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