1. The origin and evolution of cells
2. Chemical components of cells
3. Structure of DNA, heredity and genes
4. Expression of genetic information
5. Genomes: prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes
6. DNA replication
7. Recombinant DNA, detection of nucleic acids and proteins
8. Transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
9. RNA processing and turnover
10. Protein synthesis
11. Protein folding and processing
12. Regulation of protein activity
13. The nuclear envelope and traffic between the nucleus and the cytoplasm
14. Protein sorting and transport
15. Structure and transport function of the plasma membrane
16. Cell signaling molecules, receptors and signal transduction pathways
17. The eukaryotic cell cycle
There are four hours of lecture or tutorials per week, and three hours of laboratory work. The content is integrated throughout laboratory experiments, problem sets, journal articles and textbook readings.
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
| Class quizzes | 5-15% |
| Laboratory assignments | 15-20% |
| Laboratory examination | 5-15% |
| Midtem exam | 20-25% |
| Final exam | 30-40% |
| Total | 100% |
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the current understanding and evidence for the origin of cells and the evolution of metabolism.
2. Explain the chemical composition and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids in cells.
3. Explain how DNA provides a mechanism for heredity and describe the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.
4. Describe examples for the regulation of gene expression at transcriptional, translational and posttranslational levels, including the roles of noncoding RNA.
5. Describe the structure of the nuclear envelope and explain the mechanisms that allow for traffic of molecules between nucleus and cytoplasm.
6. Describe the structure and function of the plasma membrane and explain its role in active and passive transport, including the generation and transmission of action potentials.
7. Describe the membrane’s role in cell signaling and explain how disorders in signal transduction pathways may contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer.
8. Explain the processes that regulate protein trafficking to different sites within cells and for export from cells.
9. Describe the phases of the cell cycle and explain the experimental data that has identified the regulators of cell cycle progression.
10. Apply general principles of cell biology to discuss current issues.
11. Describe various tools and techniques used in cell biology and perform experiments using the common tools of cell and molecular biology, including light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, sub-cellular fractioning, culture of animal and plant cells, processing of animal tissues for histology, immunoassays, DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme mapping and phagocytosis assay.
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
Cooper, G. M. and Huasman R. E. The Cell, A Molecular Approach. Current edition. ASM Press, Sinauer Associates Inc. Massachusetts, or other textbook as determined by the instructor.
Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:
Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
| Institution | Transfer Details | Effective Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Camosun College (CAMO) | CAMO BIOL 231 (4) | 2015/09/01 to - |
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) | KPU BIOL 2321 (4) | 2007/09/01 to - |
| Langara College (LANG) | LANG BIOL 2415 (3) | 2004/09/01 to - |
| Okanagan College (OC) | OC BIOL 211 (3) | 2005/09/01 to - |
| Simon Fraser University (SFU) | SFU MBB 221 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2007/08/31 |
| Simon Fraser University (SFU) | SFU MBB 231 (3); DOUG BIOL 2321 (5) & DOUG BIOL 2421 (3) = SFU MBB 222 (3) & SFU MBB 231 (3) & SFU MBB 2XX (2) | 2007/09/01 to - |
| Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU BIOL 213 (3) | 2004/09/01 to 2010/08/31 |
| Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU BIOL 2130 (3) | 2010/09/01 to - |
| Trinity Western University (TWU) | TWU BIOL 223 (3) | 2004/09/01 to - |
| University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) | UBCO BIOL 200 (3) | 2005/05/01 to - |
| University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) | UBCV BIOL 200 (3) | 2004/09/01 to - |
| University of Northern BC (UNBC) | UNBC BIOL 311 (3) | 2004/09/01 to - |
| University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) | UFV BIO 201 (4) | 2004/09/01 to - |
| University of Victoria (UVIC) | UVIC BIOL 225 (1.5) | 2004/09/01 to - |
| Vancouver Island University (VIU) | VIU BIOL 200 (3) | 2004/09/01 to - |