Semester-III
Title of the Course : Cell Biology
Nature of course : Core/Major-III
Course code :
Total Credits : 04
Distribution of Marks: 60+40=100
Lectures: 60
Unit 1: The cell (6 lectures)
Cell as a unit of structure and function; cell theory, Characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; Origin of eukaryotic cell (Endosymbiotic theory).
Unit 2: Cell wall and plasma membrane (6 lectures)
Chemistry, structure and function of Plant cell wall; Overview of fluid mosaic model; Chemical composition of membranes; membrane function.
Unit 3: Cell organelles (12 lectures)
Nucleus; Structure-nuclear envelope, nuclear pore complex, nuclear lamina,organization of chromatin; nucleolus. Microtubules, microfilaments and intermediary filament. Chloroplast, mitochondria and peroxisomes: Structural organization; Function; Semiautonomous nature of mitochondria and chloroplast; Ribosomes- types, components and function; Lysosomes. Endoplasmic Reticulum – Structure, targeting and insertion of proteins in the ER, Golgi Apparatus.
Unit 5: Membrane transport and Protein sorting & targeting (12 lectures)
Membrane transport – Passive, active and facilitated transport, membrane channels, gates and pores; endocytosis and exocytosis; protein glycosylation, protein sorting and export from Golgi apparatus; protein folding & processing; Smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipid synthesis, export of proteins and lipids.
Unit 6: Cell division (9 lectures)
Types of cell division, stages of mitosis and meiosis; Phases of eukaryotic cell cycle, Regulation of cell cycle-checkpoints, role of protein kinases, significance.
Laboratory activities (Practical)
1. Study of plant cell structure with the help of epidermal peel mount of Onion/Crinum/Rheo.
2. Demonstration of the phenomenon of protoplasmic streaming in Hydrilla leaf, Vallisnaria
3. Measurement of cell size by of micrometric method.
4. Cell counting using haemocytometer. (Yeast/pollen grains).
5. Study of cell and its organelles with the help of electron micrographs (Demonstration).
6. Cytochemical staining of: DNA- Feulgen and cell wall in the epidermal peel of onion using Periodic Schiff’s (PAS) staining technique.
7. Study the phenomenon of plasmolysis and deplasmolysis.
8. Study different stages of mitosis and meiosis.
SUGGESTED READINGS:
1. Karp, G. (2010). Cell Biology, John Wiley & Sons, U.S.A. 6th edition.
2. Hardin, J., Becker, G., Skliensmith, L.J. (2012). Becker’s World of the Cell, Pearson EducationInc. U.S.A. 8th edition.
3. Cooper, G.M. and Hausman, R.E. (2009) The Cell: A Molecular Approach. 5th edition. ASM Press & Sunderland, Washington, D.C.; Sinauer Associates, MA.