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BC3503: THE MOLECULAR CONTROL OF CELL FUNCTION (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04


Course Overview

  • to become knowledgeable about the fundamental roles played by selected proteins or groups of proteins in the working life of cells, tissues and organisms;
  • to experience first-hand some of the laboratory procedures that are used to acquire the information learned about in lectures. This will also serve the general function of increasing students’ level of experience in designing and performing laboratory work and in data interpretation

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators

Sorry, we don't have a record of any course coordinators.

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

  • How enzymes function using selected examples; to include the role played by metal ions and co-enzymes, enzyme kinetics, inhibition of enzyme activity
  • The actions of selected enzymes; to include chymotrypsin, aspartate- and metallo- proteases, impact on medicine
  • How enzymes are regulated; to include allosteric regulation, covalent modification, isozymes, precursor processing
  • The background rational and experimental evidence for the traditional concept of a rate-limiting enzyme in the regulation of flux through metabolic pathways
  • The concept of metabolic control analysis to explain how flux through metabolic pathways is regulated; to include the flux control coefficient of each enzyme in a pathway
  • The concepts of chemiosmosis and intracellular homeostasis
  • The structural and functional features of selected membrane transport proteins
  • The mechanisms that regulate body mass and the resultant metabolic diseases that occur when these go awry
  • The current status of understanding of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Molecular mechanisms that regulate cell shape and movement; to include cellular cytoskeleton biochemistry
  • Selected aspects of cell signalling including the operation of tyrosine kinase receptors, G-proteins, lipid-derivatives and calcium ions as second messengers, cell signalling in the immune system
  • The nuclear receptor superfamily and describe the overall mechanism of action of steroid receptors and related non-steroid receptors (thyroid hormone, retinoic acid, vitamin D receptors)
  • The tissue specificity of hormone response as regards glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids
  • The molecules and mechanisms that govern cell-cell adhesion and cell-matrix interactions

Students will also develop practical skills in data interpretation, communication (written and oral) as well as interpersonal and team-working skills. These represent transferable skills that will benefit students across a range of disciplines. The aims of the course will be achieved through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical classes and a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay - 15%

Lab Report- 15%

2 x Tests - 5% each

Exam - 60%

 

Resit (for students taking course in Academic Year 2020/21):  

One essay (15%)
One lab report (15%)
Two tests  (5 % each)
Exam 60%

Resit (for students who took the course in Academic Year 2019/20 and C8 students):

Resit will be offered together with resits for the AY20/21 cohort

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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