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BIOL 401 Course website

Biology (BIOL) 401
Cell Biology (Revision 3)

Revision 3 closed, replaced by current version.

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Opened in Moodle Feb 20, 2009.

Delivery mode: Individualized study online or individualized study with a required computer component.

Credits: 3 - Science.

Prerequisite: BIOL 204, BIOL 205, and BIOL 206, or
BIOL 204 and BIOL 207, or equivalent undergraduate courses taken at an accredited post-secondary institution.

Centre: Centre for Science

BIOL 401 has a Challenge for Credit option.

Overview

BIOL 401 focuses on essential principles and processes in cell biology and integrates these in the context of molecular biology. This senior-level course considers cell structure and function, bioenergetics, membranes, molecular genetics, and intercellular signalling.

Outline

Unit 1: Cells and Organelles

Unit 2: Membrane Structure, Function and Chemistry

Unit 3: Membrane Transport

Unit 4: Electrical Signals in Nerve Cells

Unit 5: Messengers and Receptors

Unit 6: Intracellular Compartments

Unit 7: Glycolysis and Fermentation

Unit 8: Aerobic Respiration

Unit 9: Photosynthesis

Unit 10: Cellular Information: DNA, Chromosomes and the Nucleus

Unit 11: The Cell Cycle, DNA Replication, Mitosis and Cancer

Unit 12: Sexual Reproduction, Meiosis and Genetic Variability

Unit 13: The Genetic Code and Transcription

Unit 14: Protein Synthesis and Sorting

Unit 15: The Regulation of Gene Expression

Unit 16: Cytoskeletal Structure and Function

Unit 17: Cellular Movement: Motility and Contractility

Evaluation

To receive credit for BIOL 401, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent), and grade of at least 50 percent on each of the following: the assignment, mid-term, and final examinations. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Essay Assignment Mid-term Exam Final Exam Total
20% 40% 40% 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Becker, Wayne M., Kleinsmith, Lewis J., and Hardin, Jeff. (2003). The World of the Cell (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings.

Becker, Wayne M., Kleinsmith, Lewis J., and Hardin, Jeff. (2003). Guide to Microscopy. San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings.

Other Materials

The course materials also includes a student manual/study guide.