THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, ST. AUGUSTINE
FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF LIFE SCIENCES
COURSE DOCUMENTATION
COURSE CODE: BIOL 2061
COURSE TITLE: Cell & Developmental Biology
CREDITS: 3
LEVEL: II
SEMESTER: I
PRE-REQUISITE(S): BIOL1263 Living Organisms II or BIOL1261 Diversity of Organisms or
(BIOL1065 Diversity of Plants and Animals and AGRI1012 Microbiology) and either BIOL1362
Biochemistry I and BIOL1364 Genetics I or BIOL1061 Cell Biology and Genetics
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course begins with a review of the structure and function of cellular membranes and organelles
and the role of the cytoskeleton in cell shape and motility. The fundamental processes operating
during embryonic development and cellular differentiation of plants and animals will then be
examined. The principles of development will be considered at the organismal, cellular and
molecular levels for a complete understanding of developmental processes. Students will be
introduced to important experiments that have led to an understanding of the basic principles of
development. The application of stem cells in research and associated ethical considerations will
form the basis of class discussions and debates.
COURSE RATIONALE
Cell and Developmental Biology is a core course for the Biology program in the Department of
Life Sciences. It serves to build upon the student’s basic knowledge of cell biology, and to
introduce students to the fundamental concepts of developmental processes in several model
organisms. Overall, this course is an essential component of the core biology degree as it examines
the underling processes in a variety of model systems applicable to all major fields of biology.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name of course coordinator:
Dr. Georgette Briggs
Office address and phone:
Biochemistry Office, Floor 2, Old wing,
Natural Sciences Building
Email address:
[email protected]
Office hours:
Fridays 1:00-2:00 pm
Preferred method of contact:
Email
Communication policy: Students should use their UWI email account for communication and
can expect a response within 48 hours.
COURSE GOALS:
On completion of this course, students should have:
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An understanding of the fundamental processes operating during key developmental
processes
An appreciation of the role of developmental processes in disease
The ability to critically analyze scientific experiments and their findings
Gained skills in presenting and defending a logical, scientifically supported argument.
CONTENT
Developmental biology overall, seeks to understand the complexity that underlies the different cell
types and organs, the emergence of form and patterns, and the communication between cells to
achieve these processes. Almost every disease is linked to a developmental failure. As such, a
portion of this course focuses on models that examine the links between basic developmental errors
and disease.
LECTURE OUTLINE AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students completing this course should be able to:
Lecture 1: Structure & Function of Biological Membranes
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Explain the general properties of biological membranes.
Describe the molecular components of biological membranes.
Explain the role of various phospholipids in membrane structure.
Describe the properties of the phospholipid bilayer.
Explain how proteins are associated with membranes and outline some of their key functions.
Describe the basis of membrane fluidity and its importance.
Describe the nature of membrane asymmetry and its functional significance.
Describe the role of membrane carbohydrates.
Describe the electrical property of membranes and explain its significance.
Describe mechanisms of transport across membranes using specific examples of channels and
carriers.
Lecture 2: Mitochondria & Chloroplasts
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Describe and illustrate the basic structural features of mitochondria.
Give an overview of mitochondrial function.
Describe and illustrate the basic structural features of chloroplasts.
Give an overview of chloroplast function.
Discuss the evolutionary origin/development of mitochondria & chloroplasts.
Lecture 3: The Nucleus
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Describe the basic structure of the nucleus and its components.
Describe the structure of the membranes comprising the nuclear envelope and explain its
relationship to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Discuss the evolution of the nucleus.
Describe the composition of the nuclear matrix.
Describe the structure, composition and function of the nucleoli.
Describe the structure and function of nuclear pore complexes.
Explain the mechanism of transport across nuclear membranes.
Lecture 4: The Endoplasmic Reticulum & Golgi Apparatus
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Describe the structure of the Smooth and Rough ER.
Compare and contrast the major functions of the Smooth and Rough ER.
Describe the structure of the Golgi apparatus.
Explain the major functions of the Golgi apparatus.
Describe the processing of membrane proteins from the ER to their destination via the Golgi
apparatus.
Lectures 5 & 6: Secretion & Exocytosis and Endocytosis
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Define exocytosis as the terminal stage of secretion leading to the release of newly synthesized
proteins from the cell
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Describe the different types of proteins and cells typically involved in secretion
Explain the movement of proteins through the secretory pathway with particular emphasis on the
role of the ER and the Golgi membranes in protein sorting & glycosylation
Describe the internal signal sequences in newly synthesized proteins responsible for their
translocation and determining their ultimate destination
Outline the glycosylatic reactions essential for passage through the secretory pathway
Explain the process of vesicle formation and describe the role of various coat proteins involved
Describe the motor protein mediated movement of vesicles along microtubules
Define endocytosis as the transport of extracellular material into the cell.
Describe the different mechanisms of endocytosis (phagocytosis, pinocytosis & receptormediated endocytosis) and their functions and roles in different cell types.
Explain the role of clathrin in the invagination process of receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Lecture 8: Endosomes, Lysosomes & Peroxisomes
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Describe the processing of early endosomes including the sorting of their components and
recycling to the cell surface.
Explain the role of lysosomes in the processing of endosomes.
Describe the structure, function and origin of the peroxisome.
Describe the oxidative reactions of the peroxisome.
Explain the role of signal sequences and the mechanism of import of proteins into the
peroxisome.
Highlight the importance of peroxisomal function and its involvement in Zellweger syndrome.
Lectures 9 & 10: The Cytoskeleton & Organelle Movement
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Define the cytoskeleton.
Describe the subunit composition and assembly characteristics of each of its constituent elements
and their roles.
Explain the role of the cytoskeleton in normal cellular function including its association with key
regulatory binding proteins.
Identify and explain the role of key cytoskeletal structures and proteins responsible for enabling
and regulating organelle and chromosome movement in the cell.
Explain the role of dynein and kinesin in the mechanism of organelle movement along
microtubules.
Explain the critical role of motor proteins and cytoskeletal protein turnover in sorting replicated
chromatids to daughter cells in mitosis.
Describe examples of human diseases associated with cytoskeletal protein dysfunction.
Lecture 11: Cell Motility
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Identify actin rich structures within the cell that are important for cell motility.
Describe the organization of actin into specialized structures associated with cell motility and cell
shape.
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Explain the role of cytoskeletal proteins and actin microfilament turnover in cell motility
Describe the structure of cilia and flagella.
Explain how organized assemblies of actin filaments and motor proteins work in combination to
drive cell movements.
Describe the basic structure, function and dysfunction of the axoneme.
Lecture 12: The Extracellular Matrix
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Identify the major components of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and describe their molecular
structure, roles and distribution in specific tissues
Describe the structure of integrins and their interaction with specific components of the ECM.
Describe specific examples of clinically important conditions involving ECM-integrin
interactions emphasizing how integrin dysfunction may be related to disease conditions
Relate actin-based cell motility to ECM/integrin complexes.
Lecture 13: Cellular Junctions & Cell Adhesion
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Identify and illustrate the appearance of the major types of cell junctions.
Describe the molecular structure of the major types of cell junctions.
Explain the distribution of cell junctions in relation to their functions in multicellular organisms.
Highlight the importance of cell junctions and describe specific diseases in humans involving cell
junction abnormalities.
Lectures 14, 15 & 16: Cell Communication
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Describe the signals (chemicals & signaling molecules) involved in controlling cell function
Define the terms ligand and receptor
Describe the main cell surface receptor superfamilies (ligand-gated ion channels, G-protein
coupled receptors, enzyme-linked cell surface receptors) and intracellular recptors
Explain in outline the mechanisms of signal transduction including the generation of 2nd
messengers (cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP and the phosphoinositide pathway)
Explain the action of various signaling molecules on intracellular recptors in relation to the
changes induced
Identify and explain the intracellular mechanisms of the five major families of signal proteins
primarily involved in the induction of animal development (Receptor tyrosine kinases, TGFβ
superfamily, Wnt, Hedgehog, Delta-Notch)
Lectures 17 & 18: Polarity & Development
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Explain the role of regulatory DNA in defining specific programs of development.
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Explain the role of morphogens and their interplay with extracellular inhibitors in defining
cellular development.
Explain the role of maternal effect genes in the organization of asymmetric egg division.
Explain the specific cell-cell interactions involved in patterning and the role of developmental
signals in cell differentiation (Wnt, Delta-Notch signalling).
Explain the role of heterochronic genes in controlling the timing of development.
Explain the role of apoptosis in developmental programs
Lecture 19: Stem Cells & Ethics
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Define the term potency (unipotency, oligopotency, multipotency, pluripotency, totipotency,
terminally differentiated) as it relates to stem cells, cellular development and specialization.
Discuss some of the ethical concerns associated with stem cell research & experimentation.
Lectures 20 & 21: Embryogenesis
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Describe the stages of fertilization with particular emphasis on the molecular changes occurring
in the formation of the zygote.
Describe the morphological and molecular changes occurring in the transition phases of
development from zygote through morula to blastocyst, the inner cell mass and trophoblast.
Explain the fates and roles of the cells of each of the three germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and
mesoderm in the formation of specific tissues (myotome, sclerotome, nervous tissue & respiratory
system).
Lectures 22 - 27: Models of Development
 Caenorhabdatis elegans: Model of Development
 Drosophila melanogaster: Model of Body Plan Patterning
 Arabidopsis thaliana: Model of Development
Lectures 28 & 29: Organogenesis & Appendage Patterning
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Identify the regulatory genes involved in defining cells fated to appendage development
Explain the role of Wingless, Hedgehog, Dpp & Notch signaling in the patterning the wing disc
Highlight some of the mechanisms involved in patterning vertebrate (Gallus gallus model) limbs
Lecture 30: Problems of Development
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Highlight relevant case studies relating to problems in development
COURSE ASSESSMENT
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In-course test 1:
10 %
In-course test 2:
10 %
Written Paper:
10 %
Ethics Debate (on-line)
10 %
On-line Discussion Forums
10 %
Final examination (2 hours)
50 %
EVALUATION
The elected Class Representative and/or Deputy will attend meetings with the course teacher(s)
organized at every 4th week, and present feedback from the students attending that course or
stream. This feedback is normally provided both orally and in written form for transmission to the
lecturer. Apart from that the representatives will be attending the Liaison Committee meeting, and
give their feedbacks to the committee.
Students may comment on any aspect of the course or facilities. Students will be encouraged to
submit their feedback (oral/written) during tutorials directly to the course teacher and appropriate
actions will be taken by the teacher then and there.
Results of in-course tests, and feedback of online discussion forums will be presented to the class.
This will help students to check their progress constantly and also helps the instructor to identify
the weak areas and thereby could alert and advise students individually to alter their approach of
study and completing the work.
The final reflective feedback and comments about the entire course and teaching will be collected
on the last day of the course. This will be saved for analysis and utilized as a base for improvement
for the next offering in the following year.
COURSE DELIVERY & TEACHING STRATEGIES
The course will be delivered via 28 one-hour lectures and supplemented with 3 tutorial sessions
In addition students will have the opportunity to gain skills in oral communication, argument
formation and execution (debating) and collaborative group research and presentation. The
course would be delivered via lectures and tutorials. Online forum discussions & debates, written
reports, and virtual labs, would also be used to encourage student participation and collaborative
learning.
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COURSE CALENDAR
WEEK
1
Lecture/Tutorial
Activity
Lecture 1: Course introduction and review of structure &
function of Biological Membranes
Lecture 2: Mitochondria & Chloroplasts
Lecture 3: The Nucleus
2
Lecture 4: The Endoplasmic Reticulum & Golgi Apparatus
Lecture 5 : Secretion & Exocytosis
Lecture 6: Secretion & Exocytosis
3
Tutorial
Lecture 8: Endosomes, Lysosomes & Peroxisomes
Topics given
for written
assignment
Lectures 9 : The Cytoskeleton & Organelle Movement
4
Lectures 10: The Cytoskeleton & Organelle Movement
Lecture 11: Cell Motility
Online
discussion
forum
Lecture 12: The Extracellular Matrix
5
Tutorial
Lecture 13: Cellular Junctions & Cell Adhesion
In-course #1 (Weeks 1-4)
8
In course
exam
6
Lecture 14: Cell Communication
Online
discussion
forum
Lecture 15: Cell Communication
Lecture 16: Cell Communication
7
Lecture 17: Polarity & Development
Lecture 18: Polarity & Development
Written paper
due
Lecture 19: Stem Cells & Ethics
8
Tutorial
Lectures 20: Embryogenesis
Lecture 21: Embryogenesis
9
In-course #2 (Weeks 5-8)
Lecture 23: Models of Development
In course
exam
Lecture 23: Models of Development
10
Lecture 24: Models of Development
Lecture 25: Models of Development
Online
discussion
forum
Lecture 26: Models of Development
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Lecture 27: Models of Development
Lecture 28: Organogenesis & Appendage Patterning
Online Ethics Debate
12
Lecture 29: Organogenesis & Appendage Patterning
Lecture 30: Problems of Development Lecture
Course Review Tutorial
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Course Review Tutorial
Recommended Texts
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Online ethics
debate
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Developmental Biology, Scott F. Gilbert, 9th Edition; Sinauer Associates, Inc. 2010
Molecular Biology of the Cell, Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin
Raff, Keith Roberts, and Peter Walter. 4th Edition; 2002
Other Texts
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Patterns & Experiments in Developmental Biology, Johnson & Volpe 3rd Edition;
McGraw-Hill companies, Inc. 2001. ISBN 0-07-237965-0
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Embryology: An Introduction to Developmental Biology Stanley Shostak 1991.
Harper/Collins, New York ISBN 0-06-046126-8
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Principles of Development Lewis Wolpert, Rosa Beddington, Thomas Jessell, Peter
Lawrence, Elliot Meyerowitz, Jim Smith. 2nd Edition, 2002. Oxford University Press
ISBN 0-19-924939-3
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Cells, Embryos And Evolution
John Gerhart and Marc Kirschner
1997
Blackwell
Science
ISBN 0-86542-574-4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Student Attendance
Attendance in the in-course exams and participation in the online discussions and ethics debate are
mandatory. Any student who misses any of the mandatory activities, is advised to consult
immediately in person or by email with the course instructor regarding their make-up options.
Absence must be accompanied by a written excuse or medical submitted to the Main office, Life
Sciences within 7 days of the missed session. Any student who was inexcusably absent or who
does not write an in-course exam or a quiz will receive 0% for that exercise.
How to study for this course
Students are encouraged to work together in small cohesive groups as much as possible to go
through the course content. As we go through the various topics, students should attempt to answer
all the sample questions placed on myelearning and discuss the answers amongst themselves. All
comments, questions and concerns provided on a particular topic will be addressed during the
discussion segments of laboratories and during class time. To support the material presented in
class, several texts have been recommended. These texts would also be supplemented by various
scientific journal articles available to you via the myelearning platform. Use the responses and
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comments for your quizzes and in-course examinations as a guide to answering the questions
properly. There are several past paper questions in the library and students are encouraged to
practice these questions.
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