BIOL-6B: Cell & Molecular Biology
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to introduce you, the student, to the study and understanding of the structure, genetics, biochemistry, and physiology of cells. The cell is the basic fundamental unit of life. All the processes of life, including harnessing energy, reproduction, inheritance of characteristics, and responding to the environment, can only be fully appreciated with an understanding of their cellular bases. Biol-6B will emphasize processes and structures common to most cells, and prepare you for more extensive, specialized upper-division work. The development of the field of cell biology and the focus of current innovative research in molecular biology will also be discussed. You will become more independent by learning to read, interpret, and evaluate original scientific papers.
The laboratory portion of the course provides hands-on performance and real data analyses utilizing modern instruments and methods of molecular biology. These elegant techniques provide practical experience for those pursuing careers in biological research.
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- Catalog Information
- Course Objectives
- Prerequisites & Advisories
- How to Succeed in this Course!
- Safety Issues
- Lab Description
- Assignments & Grading
Catalog Information
BIOL 6B: Cell and Molecular Biology
- 6 Units
- Hours: Four hours lecture, six hours laboratory (120 hours total per quarter)
- Degree Status: Credit course - Degree applicable
- Transfer Status: CSU & UC
- Grading Method: Letter Grade only
Description
Introduction to cellular structure and function, biological molecules, bioenergetics, molecular genetics, and cell proliferation. The laboratory includes extensive hands-on experimentation in molecular biology..
Student Learning Outcome Statement
Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate molecular biology techniques to answer research questions and to interpret and explain the results.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
By successfully completing and passing Biol-6B, the student will demonstrate by means of objective exams, essays, oral presentations, laboratory proficiency, and written research reports, a practical competency and fluent exposition of the following topics:
- Biological chemistry - Explain the application of basic chemical principles to the complex chemistry of living systems. Understand the unique properties of water and carbon as they apply to organic chemistry. Know the classes of macromolecules and their biological significance.
- Protein function - Describe the special significance of proteins in maintaining and regulating the complexity necessary for all living systems. Define the specific actions of different functional groups of proteins. Explain how the cellular environment modifies protein activity.
- Molecular genetics - Explain how the structure of DNA relates to its function of storing and conveying information. Define a gene and describe the mechanisms for gene expression and how such expressions are regulated. Demonstrate how these genetic processes can be manipulated for the techniques of molecular biotechnology.
- Cell structure - Contrast the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Elaborate how the cytoskeleton sustains and transforms cellular organization and provides motility. Identify the eukaryotic organelles and their functions. Illustrate the dynamic structure of cellular membranes and their vital roles in selective permeability and compartmentalization.
- Inter-cellular communication - Describe the chemical and electrochemical mechanisms of cell-cell interaction. Compare the processes of paracrine and endocrine communication. Contrast the actions of membrane and nuclear receptors on cellular activities.
- Cell cycle - Describe the processes of mitosis and cytokinesis in cell division. Explain the role of stem cells and regulation of the cell cycle in relation to proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and senescence. Postulate how aberrations of this regulation may lead to cancer.
- Meiosis and sexual reproduction - Explain the modification of cell division for meiosis and gametogenesis. Explain how recombination affects the genome. Contrast the advantages of haploid versus diploid cells, and asexual versus sexual reproduction.
- Inheritance – Compare and explain Mendelian, chromosomal, and epigenetic models of inheritance.
- Bioenergetics - Describe how photosynthetic cells harness light energy to synthesize organic molecules, and how all cells use the chemical energy in these organic molecules to power biological processes. Elucidate the chemistry of proton gradients, redox reactions, and phosphorylations as they relate to extracting and distributing energy within the cell. Explain how chloroplast structure controls the chemistry of photosynthesis, and mitochondria structure determines cellular respiration.
- Laboratory research - Perform routine procedures used in biological research laboratories, especially as related to the techniques of molecular biology. Demonstrate proficiency with standard protocols of lab etiquette, safety, hazardous materials handling, and documentation. Interpret published research articles to replicate their methodology and critique their interpretation of results.
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PREREQUISITES AND ADVISORIES
Biology-6B is the second part of the three-quarter introduction to biology series for college students majoring in biology or a related science. Completion of Biol-6A (organismal biology) with a grade of C or better is a prerequisite for Biol-6B. This series is acceptable for transfer to the University of California and California State University systems and most other colleges. This course is equivalent or exceeds the rigor and depth of the corresponding introductory biology courses at these universities. Since the precise sequence of presented topics differs among institutions, it is strongly recommended that you complete the whole series at one college.
The study of cell and molecular biology requires a comfortable familiarity with chemistry. To enroll in Biol-6B, you need to have passed Chem-1A or Chem-25 or Chem-30A with a grade of C or better, or passed the Chemistry Placement Test administered by the Testing Center. You needed to meet this chemistry prerequisite before enrolling in Biol-6A, but Biol-6B is where you'll find that you really use it.
Using equations to calculate solution concentrations, conversions, and product yields in lab exercises requires above average math skills. Intermediate algebra equivalent to Math-109 or Math-114 is recommended.
Students will be writing essays and lab reports with an expected eloquence appropriate for scientific professionals. Coherent composition, accurate vocabulary, proper grammar, and correct spelling DO count! English skills equivalent to EWRT-1A or ESL-5 are highly recommended.
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TIPS TO HELP YOU DO WELL IN THIS COURSEThere is no question that this class can seem intimidating with novel concepts, new vocabularies, and applied chemistry and physics. You must be prepared to invest a substantial allotment of time and effort to this endeavor. Some keys to success and satisfaction are:
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Participation in this class is expected to proceed with professionalism and mutual respect. Questions and experiences you have to clarify or enlarge on the topics being discussed are welcome. Please do not be distracting to your colleagues (including me) in class. Students are expected to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code and College Policies on academic integrity and academic freedom stated in the De Anza College Catalogue. Individuals found engaging in cheating, plagiarism, or disruptive behavior will be awarding a failing grade and reported to the administration for further disciplinary sanctions. Science majors are also expected to have read the BHES Division Student Handbook for additional advice and standards. The Handbook may be downloaded from https://www.deanza.edu/bhes/documents/StudentHandbook-2.pdf . |
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SUPPORT SERVICESThe college has a wide range of support services to provide students with assistance. These services range from tutoring and special short courses in reading and writing skills to financial aid and special programs for educational transition, reentry, and disabled students. If you would like to see if any of these programs would be of help to you, please check with the Counseling and Advising office in the Registration and Student Services (RSS) building. Consult your class schedule for a list of telephone numbers, or go to the Student Services website at http://www.deanza.edu/studentservices . If you need a special accommodation for a physical or learning disability, please talk to me after the first class session so that I can make appropriate adjustments in the class to meet your needs. Visit Disability Support Programs & Services (DSPS) in Learning Center West, room 110, for qualification, testing, advice, assistance, and special programs. |
SAFETY
The laboratory portion of Biol-6B is much more technology-oriented than was Biol-6A, requiring the use of high-voltage instruments and potentially toxic or infectious materials. All students will be required to read and sign to affirm their understanding and acceptance of the "Standard Operating Procedures" form prepared by the Biology Department. Any student who knowingly or recklessly endangers anyone's safety, or who repeatedly violates laboratory safety rules will be expelled from the class and possibly face further disciplinary actions at the instructor's discretion. If you observe any activity or situation that you think might be unsafe, please let talk to the instructor about it. Beyond this course, developing excellent lab safety habits is essential to your academic progress and scientific career.
Since De Anza College is located in a seismically active area, students should give forethought to catastrophic emergency actions. If a significant earthquake occurs during class, move away from the windows and stay indoors. If you are in lab, disconnect any gas lines or electrical devices, secure glassware, and take shelter under the lab bench.
In the event of an emergency that requires the evacuation of the room, we will exit the building and regroup outside for roll call and further instructions. Be careful to avoid traffic lanes. Do not leave campus until you have been instructed to do so by your instructor or by emergency personnel!
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LABS
As stated in the course Student Learning Outcome Statement, Biol-6B strongly emphasizes laboratory-science skill development necessary for biology
major programs.
Therefore:
- Participation in all labs is expected and you must pass the laboratory portion to receive credit for the course. Your aptitude in the laboratory component will be evaluated by regular lab quizzes, lab reports, and the cumulative lab exam.
- If you miss any three labs you may be dropped from the class or awarded a failing grade.
- Non-participation is considered equivalent to non-attendance. Non-participation may be defined, at the instructors discretion, as not actively contributing to all aspects of the activities - including the techniques, calculations and discussions; violating laboratory etiquette or compromising lab safety; focusing on non-class related activities including other classwork, social media or irrelevant online sources; engaging in distracting nonproductive behaviors; or by arriving to lab late or leaving early.
- You will not receive full credit on lab reports for projects where you were not fully present and participating.
Read the lab experiments before you come to class and come prepared to begin work. It is next to impossible complete a lab exercise and learn anything from the process if you are reading the instructions for the first time. The safety of you and your classmates may depend on your preparedness when we are using hazardous materials.
The activities explored in lab build upon concepts presented in lecture, but they do not correlate with the sequence of topics as they are featured in lecture. The laboratory procedures used will emphasize the modern tools and techniques of molecular biology that are used to study cell biology, as well as many other aspects of life sciences.
Some lab projects may include different kinds of experiments over several lab periods, and more than one project may overlap on the same lab period. So you will need to have very good organizational and note-keeping practices to keep track of which experiment relates to which project. The projects will become increasingly complex as the quarter progresses, and techniques that are used repeatedly will need to be accomplished with greater efficiency. At first, the instructor will give more detailed instructions on what to do and how to organize your time. But by the latter portion of the course, you will be expected to interpret the instructions and budget your time effectively within your group. It is important to finish each experiment to complete each project. The better you get at planning and time management, the more opportunities you will have to repeat experiments if needed.
The two project topics are:
- pGLO transformation. Insert a foreign gene into bacteria, isolate the new protein gene product from the bacteria, and identify the DNA of the transferred gene in the bacterial DNA.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Rapidly copy specific parts of your own DNA. Compare your DNA with the corresponding part of the DNA of others in the class and evaluate phenotype penetration and population genetics.
The lab exam will involve applying the protocols, techniques, and analyses from these projects to a new proposed project.
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ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING
ONLINE HOMEWORK EXERCISES
Each lecture topic coincides with tutorials and graded textbook problem sets presented on the Mastering Biology website. These have been selected to enhance your comprehension of the complex concepts that may be presented too quickly in lecture. Be sure to allow sufficient time to derive the maximum benefit from these exercises. Your total score of all these graded problems will be used to calculate your percent score. These homework sets are generally posted twice weekly on the Mastering Biology website and are due within one week. I.e., assignments posted Monday morning will be due by the following Sunday night; assignments posted Thursday morning will be due by the following Wednesday night. [Note: this schedule still applies on weeks with a Monday holiday!] If you score less than 90% on any homework set, Mastering Biology will offer some additional questions (ungraded) to help you strengthen your comprehension in the areas you missed. Late submissions will receive a substantial late penalty. After the due time has passed, the entire problem set will again become available for non-graded practice.
LAB QUIZZES
To test your progress in the theory and practice of experimental methods, each week a quiz will be posted on Canvas covering topics presented and used in the previous week’s labs. The quizzes are time-limited: i.e., once you start the quiz, you have a time limit (usually 30 minutes) to complete it.
LAB REPORTS
The class lab projects described above will be presented in lab reports prepared with your lab group. The reports will describe the underlying concepts and principles, the hypotheses being tested, the methods utilized, the specific results obtained, and a discussion of how the results supported or refuted alternative hypotheses. The reports must adhere to the specific format specified in the Lab Manual.
LAB EXAM
The lab exam is derived from all of the class lab projects and methodologies as described above.
LECTURE EXAMS
There are three exams based upon material covered in lecture. (The final exam is Exam 3.) These exams are non-cumulative and will be composed of multiple choice and matching questions and diagram interpretations.
Please note the dates of all exams. If you are sick or have an emergency, contact me BEFORE the exam and special arrangements might be made in extenuating circumstances. Vacation plans are not extenuating circumstances! If a last-minute crisis occurred on the day of the exam, contact me before the end of the day.
GRADING
Class grades are calculated from this formula. Do NOT assume that the "Total" score on Canvas is accurate!
- Online homework: Cumulative "Homework" % score of all exercises counts as a percentage of 100 points.
- Lab quizzes, method sheets, lab reports, and the lab exam: Total "Lab Assignments" % score counts as a percentage of 200 points [I.e., % score x 2].
- Lecture exams: Three exams. Each exam counts as a percentage of 100 points. (3 x 100 = 300 points)
The final class grade will be determined as a percentage of the maximum total 600 points (except as noted above under "Labs"):
92-100% = A
89-91% = A-
86-88% = B+
80-85% = B
77-79% = B-
74-76% = C+
65-73% = C
53-64% = D
<53% = F
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