Cell Biology 100 Hours Certificate Course (Pre-Medical Program)

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1 Introduction to Cells and Their Structure

• What is a cell
• Hhistory of cell biology
• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; cell shape and size; cell structure; the nucleus; the nucleolus; euchromatin and heterochromatin; the animal cell; the plant cell; human cells.

2 Cell Chemistry

• Cell Chemical Composition
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Nucleic Acids
• Proteins
• Enzymes
• Cell Membranes
• Golgi apparatus

3 DNA, Chromosomes and Genes

• What is DNA
• Chromosomes
• Genes;
• DNA replication
• Telomeres and telomerase
• Genetics; case study in genetic inheritance
• Phenotype and Genotype
• Gene mutations.

4 Cell Division: Meiosis and Mitosis

• Mitosis and Meiosis overview
• Mitosis
• Meiosis

5 Cell Membranes

• Membranes
• Structure of Cell Membranes
• Movement of Molecules through cell Membranes
• Endocytosis
• Osmosis and Filtration
• Hydrostatic Pressure
• Active Transport
• Electro-chemical Gradient
• Nutrient and Waste Exchange in Animal Cells
• Mediated and Non-Mediated Transport.

6 Protein Structure and Function

• Protein structure
• Fibrous Proteins
• Globular Proteins
• Protein Organisation
• Primary to Quaternary Structure
• Protein Function.

7 Protein Synthesis

• Overview
• The Function of Ribonucleic Acid in Protein Synthesis
• Transcription and Translation
• Initiation; Elongation
• Termination.

8 Food, Energy, Catalysis and Biosynthesis

• Sources of Energy
• Metabolism within the Cell
• Catabolic Metabolism
• Anabolic Metabolism
• ATP Movement
• Kreb's cycle
• Production and Storage of Energy
• Energy Production Pathways from Different Foods
• Biosynthesis of Cell Molecules
• Mitochrondria
• Chloroplasts.

9 Intracellular Compartments, Transport and Cell Communication

• Cell communication
• Endocrine Signalling
• Aracrine Signalling
• Autocrine signalling
• Cytoskeleton
• Actin Filaments
• Intermediate Filaments
• Microtubules

10 The Cell Cycle and Tissue Formation

• The cell cycle
• Phases of the Cell Cycle
• Cell Cycle Regulation
• Cell Death
• Cells to Bodies
• Stem Cells
• Animal Tissues including Muscle, Connective, Epithelial, Nerve
• Blood

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

The following are the key points of Cell Theory:

1. All known living organisms are composed of one or more cells.

2. All cells are derived from previously existing parent cells.

3. Cells contain genetic information that controls the cell’s functions.

4. Genetic information is duplicated and transmitted from parent cells into any new cells.

PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC CELLS

There are two main types of cells:

Prokaryotes

Prokaryotes or prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus, or membranes surrounding their organelles. Their DNA is not organised into chromosomes, but is a single molecule, most often circular. Prokaryotes include bacteria and other organisms known as archae.

Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes or eukaryotic cells have membranes surrounding the nucleus and organelles. This effectively divides the cell into distinct compartments that perform distinct functions. Their DNA is organised into linear chromosomes. The cells that make up the human body, other animals and also plants are eukaryotic.

CELL SIZE and SHAPE

The size of a cell can vary considerably. Some of the smallest recorded living things are single cell organisms with cell sizes as small as 250 nm (nanometre), while a nerve cell in a giraffe may stretch to several meters. The importance of cell size matters due to simple geometry. Basically a cell must transport materials in and out through a membrane.

The larger the cell, the smaller the surface area to volume ratio.
The smaller the cell, the larger the surface area to volume ratio.
When a cell reaches a certain size, the surface area will not be able to keep up with the needs of the cell and growth will cease.

So how does nature compensate for cells which need to be large such as the giraffe’s nerve cell? There a few different ways to achieve this, the first is to change the shape. Not all cells are spherical in shape, a nerve cell is very long and very thin. This increases the surface area to volume ratio dramatically. Another other way of sustaining a large cell is by including food within the cell. This is common in cells that are going to divide, giving rise to multicellular organisms. As a cell grows it divides into two, then four so on, giving a much larger surface area to ratio.

This course has been endorsed by TQUK. Endorsement of our courses by TQUK sets them apart from other vocational learning programmes and is an achievement to be proud of. It further demonstrates that we are an efficient academy with excellent courses and tutorial support. It also means that potential and existing students, employers and universities can be sure of the true value of the learning we provide.