Cell and Molecular Biology

 

From the laboratory to the real world, cell and molecular biology has a far-ranging impact upon everything from the environment to health and medical issues. Cell and molecular biology enables researchers to study the minute world of microbes and cells.

This course will provide  a full overview of the world of cell and microbiology. We will first provide the basic components comprised within all living things before moving onto to how organisms' internal systems work and how they coexist and contend with external elements.

Further on in the course, we touch upon more complex subjects such as: DNA and RNA; protein structures; and movement along cellular pathways. And, alas we delve into some of the deeper molecular biological issues, including those of pathogens; formation of cancerous cells; and, one of today's hot topics--the facts behind the controversial issue of stem cell research.

Despite the small size of researchers' subjects, cell and molecular biology continues to be an area generating sizable interest. Not only are the applications of cell and molecular biology vastly infinite, its basic fundamental principles are critical to daily life.  We believe you will gain many valuable nuggets of information from this course  and using its basic teachings to better understand the world around you. 

This course will not require you to have previous experience in any particular area but you should have a high school reading level. No books will be required.

Lesson One. Understanding Cell and Molecular Biology and its History

A.   Cell and Molecular Biology: Definitions

B.   Cell and Molecular Biology: Applications

C.   Cell and Molecular Biology: History

D.   Cell and Molecular Biology: Summation

Lesson Two. Cellular Functioning & Composition

A.   What is a Cell?

B.   Cell Theory

C.   Properties of Cells

D.   Cell Membrane

E.   Procaryotic versus Eucaryotic

F.    Cellular Reproduction 

Lesson Three. Chemical Foundations

A.   Chemical Foundations: Introduction

B.   Chemical Reactions: Types

C.   Enzymes

D.   Enzymatic Structures

Lesson Four. DNA Properties

A.   DNA and the Flow of Molecular Structure

B.   DNA Major Areas of Study

C.   DNA Functioning

D.   DNA and RNA

E.   More on RNA

F.    Transcription and Translation

G.   Summary

Lesson Five. Protein Structure and Function

A.   Proteins: Defined

B.   Amino Acids

C.   Protein Structure

D.   Proteins’ Reversible Behaviors

E.   Regularities in Protein Pathways

Lesson Six. Regulation of Protein Levels and Activity

A.   Cellular Processes

B.   Structure and Function

C.   Enzyme Regulation

D.   Genetic Control

E.   Repressors and Activators

F.    Gene Activity Levels

G.   Positive Control of Protein Synthesis

H.   Significance of Protein Synthesis Controls

Lesson Seven. Cellular Membrane Structure and Function

A.   Membrane: Introduction

B.   Membrane: Functions

C.   Membrane: Structure

D.   Conclusion

Lesson Eight. Basic Molecular Genetic Mechanisms

A.   Science of Genetics

B.   Inheritance

C.   Transgenics

D.   Forward and Reverse Genetics

E.   Genomic Analysis

F.    Linkage Analysis

G.   Quantitative Genetics

Lesson Nine. Cell Birth, Lineage and Death

1. Introduction: Cell Cycle
2. Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
3. Mitosis and Meiosis
4. Summary

Lesson Ten. Cell Cycle and Checkpoints in Cell Cycle Regulation

A.   Cellular Activities and Checkpoints: Introduction

B.   Stages of Interphase

C.   Transcriptional and Posttranscriptional Controls

D.   RNA Splicing

E.   RNA Editing

F.    Negative Translational Control Mechanisms

G.   Conclusion

Lesson Eleven. Signaling at the Cell’s Surface

A.   Cell Signals: Introduction

B.   Signal Methodologies

C.   Receptors for Cell Signals

D.   Receptor: Types

E.   Agonists versus Antagonists

F.    Binding and Activation

G.   Constitutive Activity

H.   Notch Signaling

Lesson Twelve. Signaling Pathways that Control Gene Activity

A.   Signaling Pathways: Overview

B.   Misregulation of Signaling Pathways

C.   Writ Signaling Pathway

D.   Writ Signaling Pathway and the Conservation of Stem Cell Reservoirs

E.   Protein-Kinases: Functioning

F.    Protein-Kinases: Basic Facts

Lesson Thirteen. Transport of Ions and Small Molecules across Cell Membranes

A.   Cell Membrane: Structure

B.   Membrane Transport Mechanisms

C.   Molecular Movements in and out of Cells: Types

D.   Diffusion: Differences

E.   Carbs, Proteins & Lipids

Lesson Fourteen. Protein Solubility

A.   Protein discussion Continuation

B.   Compartmentalization

C.   Protein Structure Behavior

D.   Protein Travels

E.   Intracellular Vesicular Traffic

F.    Conclusion

Lesson Fifteen. Epithelium

A.   Epithelium: Introduction

B.   Epithelium: Composition

C.   Epithelium: Structure

D.   Epithelium: Types

E.   Epithelium: Tissue Functions 

Lesson Sixteen. Cancer

A.   Cancer: What is it?

B.   Cancer: Global Impact

C.   Cancer: Types

D.   Origins of Cancer

E.   Genes and Mutations

F.    Origins and Mutations

Lesson Seventeen. Cancer Part Two

A.   Cancerous Cells: Abnormal Genes

B.   Normal and Cancer Cell: Characteristics

C.   Cancer Cells and Grades

D.   Differentiation

E.   Cancer: Studies and Methodologies

F.    Cancer: In Treatment

Lesson Eighteen. Pathogens

A.   Pathogens: Definition

B.   Host and Guest

C.   Spread of Pathogens

D.   Microbial Pathogens: Types

Lesson Nineteen. Bioinformatics

A.   It’s a New Day

B.   Microbiology and Technology

C.   Bioinformatics: Overview

D.   Beyond the Human Genome Project

E.   Conclusion

Lesson Twenty. Stem Cells

1. Stem Cells: Understanding and Purpose
2. Stem Cells: History
3. Stem Cells: Significance
4. Stem Cells: Common Traits
5. Stem Cells: Researchers’ Lingering Questions
6. Stem Cells: Types
7. Stem Cells: Research Controversy