2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FOBS1135 The Basis of Life

20 creditsClass Size: 350

Module manager: Prof Jurgen Denecke
Email: J.Denecke@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

A level Biology

This module is mutually exclusive with

BIOL1112	The Molecules of Life
BLGY1115	Introduction to Cell Biology: from Molecules to Cells and Ti

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Life on Earth comprises many different organisms of hugely different shapes and sizes, living in a wide range of habitats, so it is amazing to realise that every one of these, from bacteria to insects, trees to whales – and of course, humans - relies on similar structures and chemical reactions to maintain life. Understanding these molecular processes and cell structures gives us an insight into how organisms succeed, and why they sometimes fail to thrive. Recognising the sometimes subtle differences between organisms helps to design beneficial interventions, such as drugs to treat cancer, and weed killers that do not harm food crops.In The Basis of Life we will reveal the fundamental processes of life, identifying the key concepts that underpin the biological processes in all living organisms, from bacteria to elephants. Living cells are able to perform a huge variety of different and complex functions, yet 99% of their mass is made up of just common 6 elements. Simple inorganic elements are organised into the large macromolecular structures and polymers (nucleic acids, proteins, polysaccharides and lipids) that are crucial for life. Chemical structure determines biological roles, illustrated by the properties of enzymes, the biological catalysts that control metabolic processes. We will explore the structure and function of cells, and cover aspects ranging from basic energy metabolism in micro-organisms to higher order structures including the complexity and purpose of cell compartmentalisation in higher life-forms. The way in which cells containing identical genetic information develop into specialised cell types to form tissues with different functions will be used to introduce the concept of cell polarity, cell adhesion, cell communication and the development of multicellular organisms. The scope of the course will include microbial, plant and animal examples. This course provides the concepts essential for understanding of Cell Biology and the underlying Biochemistry to underpin later studies in applied biology, genetics, microbial, plant and animal physiology, developmental biology and molecular cell biology. The course also aims to illustrate how multidisciplinary approaches will be crucial for the new post genomic research era we are starting to explore, depending not only on classic biology and biochemistry, but also involving mathematics and physics.

Objectives

On completion of the module, students will have a comprehensive grounding in the molecular basis of life from the atomic scale up to cells and tissues. This will be organised in four interrelated themes
i) Molecules of Life: outlines the essential biochemical concepts that underpin living processes
ii) Energy & Metabolism: this covers how energy captured from sunlight drives metabolic processes and the main biosynthetic pathways
iii) The Living Cell outlines cellular organisation and function
iv) From Cells to Tissues: introduces the key concepts underpinning multi-cellularity in plants and animals.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate a good understanding of:
- the basic concepts of chemistry and how this helps us understand the structures and functions of the principal macromolecules of cells including proteins and an introduction to enzymes;
- how the structures of carbohydrates relate to their major functions;
- the structures of DNA and RNA, and the enzymology of aspects of their replication, transcription and translation;
- energy metabolism and adaptive processes to optimise the use of biomass or other energy sources from a cellular perspective;
- DNA replication and cell division;
- the significance of cell compartmentalisation and cellular structures to cope with specialised reactions;
- the introduction to the concept of cell polarity and developmental biology;
- how to appreciate genetic and biochemical approaches involved in exploring cell biology;
- the extent to which phenotypic variation between cells allows them to adopt specialised roles within a multi cellular organism.

Syllabus

This course will provide the core concepts central to biochemistry and cell biology, covered by four central themes:
1. Molecules of Life
2. Energy & Metabolism
3. The Living Cell
4. From Cells to Tissues

Molecules of Life
- Cell chemistry. functional groups, bonding and macromolecules;
- Lipids and membranes;
- Sugars and polysaccharides;
- Amino acids and proteins, protein structure and function, protein folding and disease;
- Enzymes, introduction to basic thermodynamics, substrate binding and catalysis, enzyme kinetics and measuring reaction rates;
- Nucleic acids and the central dogma;
- DNA Replication, genome organization and DNA repair;
- RNA, transcription and non-coding RNA, differences between prokaryote/eukaryote translation, introduces post-translational modification.

Energy & Metabolism
- Introduction to metabolism and fatty acids;
- Glycolysis and the TCA cycle;
- Oxidative phosphorylation;
- Nitrogen metabolism and amino acid synthesis;
- Photosynthesis.

The Living Cell
- The cell cycle and cancer;
- Genes and chromatin, genome structure;
- Control of gene expression;
- Protein targeting to the ER, membrane protein synthesis, sorting and secretion;
- Endocytosis;
- The cytoskeleton;
- Cell adhesion and signalling;
- Tools for biological research;
- Cell polarity and differentiation;
- Introduction to developmental biology.

From Cells to Tissues
- Plant cell and tissue biology, monocots and dicots;
- Root and shoot development and structure;
- Plant cell walls;
- Plant development and plasticity;
- Epithelial tissue in animals;
- Connective tissue, adipose and blood;
- Muscle - skeletal, smooth, cardiac and types of nerves.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	44	1.00	44.00
Independent online learning hours			60.00
Private study hours			96.00
Total Contact hours			44.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

60 hours: Several text book chapters will be recommended and a portfolio of worksheets, MRQs and short answer essays will be provided to guide students during term-time with respect to revision. A range of blended learning activities will run in parallel with the module to provide opportunities for self-guided learning and formative assessment.
- Open book online coursework MRQs that together form 10% of the module: 30 hours
- Using online materials provided for each topic: 30 hours

98 hours: This includes subscription to Garland Science online resources which provides support materials and formative assessment for use in conjunction with the electronic edition of Alberts Molecular Biology of the Cell, Sixth Edition. Study material provided in this module will be mapped directly to specific chapters in this textbook.
- Reading, revision, private study.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Following the final lecture of each week, students are given 5 MCQs which they answer using their student number to ensure that progress can be tracked. Students are given instant feedback, and the MCQs are scored as pass-to-progress with unlimited retries. Particular students can be followed-up if performance is poor.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	MRQ (VLE) every week for 10 weeks (1% each)	10.00
Essay	2 x formative in-course short essays (peer review marked)	0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		10.00

MRQ (VLE) every week for 10 weeks (1% each).

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S1)	2 hr 00 mins	90.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		90.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 23/01/2018

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD