Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module BIOL3341: CELL SIGNALS AND PROTEIN TARGETING (LIT)

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL3341: CELL SIGNALS AND PROTEIN TARGETING (LIT)

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2006/07 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to C130
Tied to C132
Tied to C701
Tied to CC77
Tied to CFG0

Prerequisites

  • Molecular Biology BIOL2201, Cell Structure and Function BIOL2211.

Corequisites

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To promote an appreciation of the molecular events occurring in cells upon receipt of an external signal.
  • To appreciate how proteins are targeted to different organelles and how these targeting events respond to cell signals.
  • To conduct an investigation of an area within Biological Sciences where knowledge obtained by laboratory experimentation or literature search is important.

Content

  • The secretory pathway.
  • Lysosomes, Vesicles.
  • Coatomers.
  • Clathrin.
  • Genetics of secretion.
  • Mitochondria.
  • Peroxisomes.
  • Nuclear import.
  • Targeting of proteins to plastids.
  • Brief review of structure and function of important signalling molecules including hormones, receptor, G proteins and effector enzymes.
  • cAMP, 1,2-diacylglycerol, inositol phosphates and Ca2+.
  • Ras other small GTPases.
  • MAP Kinase pathways.
  • Oncogenes.
  • Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation.
  • Regulation of Inositol kinases, roles of PIP2 and PIP3.
  • Plant cell Signals: Introduction to plant signalling mechanisms.
  • light in plant development.
  • mechanisms of hormone action.
  • diversity of action and the 'new' plant hormones.
  • Project - a supervised investigation of an area within Biological Sciences where knowledge obtained by laboratory experimentation or database information retrieval and analysis is important.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module each student should be able to: demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the molecular events involved in cell signalling.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the molecular events involved in protein targeting.
  • Understand that these processes are linked and form part of the homeostasis of the cell.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:
    • Extract, compile and review relevant scientific information from various so and field data and present the results effectively.

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    • Taught Component: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through the means of lectures.
    • Knowledge will be formatively assessed through the use of MCQs and summatively by a written examination.
    • Interpretation of data will be summatively assessed by means of a data handling exercise.
    • Understanding will be assessed by means of a written examination.
    • Project Component: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through supervised and directed literature search.
    • Skills will be acquired through the searching, retrieval and presentation of relevant data.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 23 1 or 2 per week 1 hour 23
    Tutorials 1 1 hour 1
    Seminars 2 1 hour 2
    Other (Project) 6 6 hours 36
    Preparation and Reading 138
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Formal Examination 2 hours 100%
    Component: Data Handling Exercise Component Weighting: 10%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Data Handling Exercise 100%
    Component: Literature Search Report Component Weighting: 40%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Literature Search Report 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    MCQs to assess knowledge


    Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University