Course Code Course Name Credits Type
CUBS2540 CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 4 3+1+0

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Comprehend the foundational concepts of living organisms, biodiversity, and biological classification systems. (L2)
  2. Apply taxonomical principles, including binomial nomenclature and hierarchical classification using appropriate tools. (L3)
  3. Analyze the structure and function of biomolecules such as amino acids, nucleic acids, lipids, and their roles in biological systems. (L4)

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • CO1: Define key concepts in biological classification, biodiversity, and domains of life. (L1)
  • CO2: Classify organisms using taxonomical principles and recognize the significance of tools like museums, zoos, and botanical gardens. (L2)
  • CO3: Evaluate cell structures, organelles, and biomolecules to understand the functional complexity of cells. (L5)

CO to PO Mapping:

CO/PO PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12
CO1 3 2 1 2 1
CO2 3 3 2 1 2 1 1
CO3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 2

Bloom’s Taxonomy Levels:
L1 – Remember, L2 – Understand, L3 – Apply, L4 – Analyze, L5 – Evaluate, L6 – Create

Syllabus

Module 1: Biological Classification and Taxonomy

  • What is living?
  • Biodiversity; need for classification
  • Three domains of life
  • Taxonomy and systematics
  • The concept of species and taxonomical hierarchy
  • Binomial nomenclature
  • Tools for studying Taxonomy: museums, zoos, herbalaria, botanical gardens
  • Five kingdom classification
  • Salient features and classification of:
    • Monera
    • Protista
    • Fungi into major groups
  • Lichens
  • Viruses and Viroids

Module 2: Biomolecules

  • Water
  • Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins
  • Carbohydrates and their polymers
  • Nucleic acids, Nucleotides, and Nucleosides
  • Fatty acids and lipids

Module 3: Cell Morphology

  • Cell membrane
  • Cell organelles: structure and function
  • Endomembrane system: endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, vacuoles
  • Mitochondria, ribosomes, plastids, microbodies
  • Cytoskeleton, cilia, flagella, centrioles (ultra-structure and function)
  • Nucleus: nuclear membrane, chromatin, nucleolus
  • Types of cells

Module 4: Cellular Genetics

  • DNA structure
  • Chromatin Structure
  • DNA Synthesis and Repair
  • Transcription
  • Translation

Module 5: Cell Division

  • Growth of cells
  • Mitosis
  • Cancer

Text Book:

  1. Waite, Gabi Nindle. Applied Cell and Molecular Biology for Engineers. McGraw-Hill Education, 2007.

SESSION-WISE LECTURE PLAN AND LEARNING OUTCOME

Module 1: Biodiversity and Taxonomy

Hours Session Type Topic Name Learning Outcome/s
1 Theory What is Living? Define characteristics of living organisms.
1 Theory Biodiversity and Need for Classification Understand biodiversity and its importance in biology.
1 Theory Three Domains of Life Describe the three-domain system and compare the domains.
1 Theory Taxonomy and Systematics Understand the principles of taxonomy and systematics.
1 Theory Concept of Species and Taxonomical Hierarchy Explain the hierarchical classification system.
1 Theory Binomial Nomenclature Apply rules of binomial nomenclature to classify organisms.
1 Theory Tools for Studying Taxonomy Identify importance of museums, zoos, herbaria, and botanical gardens.
1 Theory Five Kingdom Classification Understand Whittaker’s five kingdom classification system.
1 Theory Salient Features of Monera, Protista, Fungi Describe key features and classification of these groups.
1 Theory Lichens Define lichens and their symbiotic nature.
1 Theory Viruses and Viroids Explain the characteristics of viruses and viroids.
2 Practice Observation: Tools of Taxonomy Practice identifying taxonomy tools through lab or digital demo.
2 Practice Observation: Tools of Taxonomy Practice identifying taxonomy tools through lab or digital demo.
1 Assignment Presentation
Total Hours 16 Hours

Module 2: Biomolecules

Hours Session Type Topic Name Learning Outcome/s
1 Theory Water and Its Role in Biological Systems Describe the role of water as a universal solvent and its importance in biological reactions.
1 Theory Amino Acids and Peptides Understand the structure, classification, and functions of amino acids and formation of peptides.
1 Theory Proteins Explain the primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of proteins and their biological significance.
1 Theory Carbohydrates and Their Polymers Classify monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and explain their functional roles.
1 Theory Nucleotides, Nucleosides, and Nucleic Acids Differentiate nucleotides and nucleosides; describe structure and types of DNA and RNA.
1 Theory Lipids and Fatty Acids Understand the classification, structure, and function of lipids and their role in membrane formation.
2 Practice Biomolecule Identification Lab I

  • Carbohydrate qualitative tests
  • Protein qualitative tests
Conduct standard tests to detect presence of carbohydrates and proteins in biological samples.
2 Practice Biomolecule Identification Lab II

  • Lipid identification tests
  • Blood grouping test (for immunological application)
Demonstrate lipid presence and perform basic immunological typing (ABO blood grouping).
1 Assignment Student Presentation Review and present concepts related to biomolecules and their biological importance.
Total Hours: 11 Hours

Module 3: Cell Morphology

Hours Session Type Topic Name Learning Outcome/s
1 Theory Cell Membrane Structure and Function Explain the fluid mosaic model and understand membrane permeability, transport mechanisms, and signaling functions.
1 Theory Endomembrane System Describe structure and function of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vacuoles.
1 Theory Organelles: Mitochondria and Plastids Understand the structure, function, and role of mitochondria and plastids in energy production and photosynthesis.
1 Theory Ribosomes and Microbodies Differentiate ribosome types and their function in protein synthesis; understand microbodies such as peroxisomes.
1 Theory Cytoskeleton, Cilia, and Flagella Explain the components of cytoskeleton (microtubules, actin filaments) and their roles in movement and shape.
1 Theory Centrioles and Cell Polarity Discuss the structure and function of centrioles and their involvement in cell division and polarity establishment.
1 Theory Nucleus and Chromatin Describe the nuclear membrane, nucleolus, and organization of chromatin in interphase and mitotic cells.
1 Theory Types of Cells Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; compare plant and animal cell structures.
2 Practice Microscopy and Cell Observation Lab

  • Use of light microscope
  • Observation of plant and animal cell components
Gain hands-on experience with microscope; identify organelles and cell types in real specimens.
1 Assignment Student Activity: Cell Model/Presentation Demonstrate understanding of cell structure through visual or oral presentation on assigned subtopics.
Total Hours: 11 Hours

Module 4: Cellular Genetics

Hours Session Type Topic Name Learning Outcome/s
1 Theory DNA Structure and Function Explain the double helix model of DNA, complementary base pairing, and its role as genetic material.
1 Theory Chromatin Organization Understand nucleosome structure, histones, and levels of chromatin compaction.
1 Theory DNA Replication Describe the semi-conservative mechanism, replication enzymes, and origin of replication.
1 Theory DNA Repair Mechanisms Identify DNA damage types and outline major repair systems such as mismatch repair and nucleotide excision repair.
1 Theory Transcription Explain RNA synthesis, promoters, RNA polymerase, and post-transcriptional modifications.
1 Theory Translation Describe the process of protein synthesis including codons, tRNA, ribosomes, and post-translational events.
2 Practice DNA Isolation and Electrophoresis Lab

  • DNA extraction from plant tissues
  • Agarose gel electrophoresis for DNA analysis
Perform basic molecular biology techniques; visualize nucleic acids and understand banding patterns.
1 Assignment Activity: Gene to Protein Mapping Apply central dogma by tracing a gene sequence through transcription and translation to protein product.
Total Hours: 9 Hours

Module 5: Cell Division

Hours Session Type Topic Name Learning Outcome/s
1 Theory Cell Cycle and Its Phases Explain the stages of the cell cycle (G1, S, G2, M) and checkpoints that regulate cell division.
1 Theory Mitosis: Events and Significance Describe the phases of mitosis and its importance in growth, development, and repair.
1 Theory Meiosis: Mechanism and Importance Differentiate between meiosis I and II; explain its role in gametogenesis and genetic diversity.
1 Theory Cancer: Uncontrolled Cell Division Define cancer, understand its relation to the cell cycle, and describe proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.
2 Practice Lab: Observing Mitosis in Onion Root Tips

  • Prepare slides to view stages of mitosis
  • Calculate mitotic index
Identify mitotic stages under microscope and evaluate mitotic activity in root tip cells.
1 Assignment Case Study: Cancer Cell Cycle Disruption Analyze how mutations affect cell cycle control and lead to tumor formation using real-life case studies.
Total Hours: 7 Hours