Biol 4813

Molecular Cell Biology: GENE EXPRESSION

FALL 2010

Class Date Lecture Topic Related Reading * Lab topic

Karp Edition 5
Klug Ed. 8
1 8/31 Protein structure Karp Ch. 2 pg. 49 Pipetting
2 9/2 Protein structure Karp Ch. 2
3 9/7 Protein structure and function Karp Ch. 2 Ph/Solutions
4 9/9 Thermodynamics Karp Ch. 3
5 9/14 Enzyme Kinetics Karp Ch. 3 Spectrophotometer
6 9/16 Enzyme Kinetics/Hereditary Klug Ch. 10
Material Karp Ch. 10

7 9/21 Hereditary Material Karp Ch. 10 & Enzyme kinetics

Structure of DNA Ch 12 pg. 498-509
Klug Ch. 12 pg. 292
8 9/23 Transcription Karp Ch. 11 pg. 429-436
Klug Ch. 13 pg. 317-22
9 9/28 EXAM 1 Lectures 1-7 Enzyme kinetics
10 9/30 Regulation of Prokaryotic Karp Ch. 12 pg 515-518
Transcription Klug Ch. 16 pg. 392
11 10/5 Eukaryotic Transcription Karp Ch. 11 pg. 436- Protein Gel
12 10/7 Po pol l /pol III 447 Electrophoresis
13 10/12 pol II Transcription Klug Ch. 13 pg. 320  MIDTERM EXAM
Ch. 17 pg. 411
14 10/14 pol II regulation Karp Ch. 12 pg. 513-532
15 10/19 Genetic Code Klug Ch. 13 pg. 306 Lac Z Expression
16 10/21 EXAM 2 Lectures 8-14
17 10/26 Translation Karp Ch. 11 pg. 470- Gel electrophoresis
480
18 10/28 Consequences of Mutation Klug Ch. 14 pg. 334
Klug Ch. 15 pg. 364
19 11/2 Membrane Structure Karp Ch. 4 Cloning I
20 11/4 Membrane Structure
21 11/9 Membrane Function Karp Ch. 8 Cloning II
22 11/11 Endomembrane Systems I
23 11/16 Exam 3 Lectures 15-21 Southern Blot I/
24 11/18 Endomembrane systems II Karp Ch. 8 Cloning III
25 11/23 Endomembrane systems III Karp Ch. 8 Thanksgiving
26 11/25 Thanksgiving
27 11/30 Endomembrane systems IV Karp Ch. 8 pg. 318 Southern Blot II
28 12/2 Protein targeting: nucleus
29 12/7 Mitochondria/chloroplast, Karp Ch. 9 Final Lab Exam
30 12/9 Cytoskeleton
Final Exam. Tues. Dec. 14 at 8:00 a.m.

*** Karp Chapter 1 & 2 should be review. Additional information other than the listed chapters will be covered in
lecture.

OVERVIEW: Molecular Cell Biology: Gene Expression is the first semester of a team-taught course focusing on cell
structure, function and inheritance. Emphasis will be placed on the interactions of cellular processes and the interpretation
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of experimental results as a framework for problem solving. Dr. Heather Conrad-Webb and Dr. Michael Bergel will
participate in the course. The corresponding laboratory course is a co-requisite. In addition, successful completion of
organic chemistry I and II is required (C or better). Since this is an integrated course, an integrated knowledge of
both laboratory and lecture material will be expected.

OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the course, students should 1) have an integrated picture of all cellular processes
involved in gene expression. 2) have an understanding of the relationship between cellular structure and function. And
3) be able to apply principles and experimental techniques to solve problems in cell structure and function.

TEXT BOOKS: Cell and Molecular Biology 5th edition by Karp

Concepts in Genetics 8th edition by Klug
Both texts will be required for all semesters of the Molecular Cell series.
There is a Karp book on closed reserve in the library call number QH581.2K369 2008.

OFFICE HOURS: We will be available during office hours for questions and help. You may attend office hours of
either instructor; however, you must bring a list of specific questions for discussion. If you need to see the instructors and
cannot attend scheduled office hours, please make an appointment.

Office Phone Office Hours

Dr. Conrad-Webb GRB 225 898-2449 Tues/Thurs. 9:30-12:00, &
HConradWebb@twu.edu Friday 1:00-3:00
Dr. Bergel GRB 223 898-2471 Tues/Thurs. 9:30-12:00, &
MBergel@mail.twu.edu Friday 1:00-3:00
Study Session I GRB 214 Tuesdays 10-11:30
Study Session II GRB 214 To be announced

GRADING:
Exams: Each exam is worth 100 points of the final grade. The comprehensive final exam is worth 150 points and all
students are required to take the final exam. If a single exam is curved, the number of curved points will be added to that
exam. There will be no make-up exams. If you miss an exam and have an official university excuse, your final will
count 50% or 250 points of your final grade. Non-emergency medical appointments are NOT considered a medical
excuse. YOU DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION OF MISSING MORE THAN 1 EXAM. No exam grades will be
dropped.

Homework: Homework is an integral part of learning to apply concepts in molecular cell biology. The homework is due
at the beginning of the class period and is worth 50 points. HOMEWORK IS NOT OPTIONAL! You are expected to
complete the homework from the current textbook edition. There will be an assignment due every class period. If you
are ill and miss class, previous homework is due at the next class period. You will have 1 grace class period to turn in the
new assignment. Homework turned in late will be worth only half credit.

Distribution of points for course grade

exam 1 100 A 450-500
exam 2 100 B 400-449
exam 3 100 C 350-399
homework 50 D 300-349
comprehensive final 150
total points 500

Attendance: Attendance in lecture is mandatory. Please sign the attendance sheet each class period. Excused Absences
do not exempt students from academic requirements. Excessive absences, even if documented, may result in a student
failing the course.

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Study Sessions: We will hold a weekly study session. The study session will be student driven- YOU BRING THE
QUESTIONS. We will work on new or old homework assignments and go over topics from the class. Study session will
be held on Tuesdays from 10-11:30.

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Suggestions for success:

1. Come to class!
2. Read the relevant material in the textbook.
3. Go over your notes after each class and make sure you understand the material.
4. Complete the homework in a timely manner.
5. If you don’t understand a homework questions or topic in lecture, check your notes and text, then come to study
sessions, office hours or SLRC for help.
6. Come to study sessions- Even if you think you understand everything.
7. Get help early- if you wait till the night before the test, it is too late.
8. Draw everything out, then ask yourself the consequence of a missing component or sequence.

Policy on Academic Honesty:

Attendance sheets will be passed around and require personal signatures for each class. It is considered improper to sign
a signature for other than yourself. Potential benefits for the individual’s grade may be derived from perfect attendance
and these benefits are expected to be earned by the student. It is also improper for a student to sign the roll sheet and then
leave the class without permission.

Homework assignments are given as individual work and as such is designed to help the individual develop an
understanding of the material and to help the individual student assess their progress in comprehending the topic of study.
To this end, discussion among students on the topics would be encouraged to aid the student in ascertaining possible
solutions. However, direct copying of answers, from another students work, or from previous homework assignments
of preceding semesters is not permitted. It is also considered dishonest for you to have someone else do your work and
you present that work as your own.

Group studying for examinations is encouraged, however, the instructor assumes that performance on weekly
examinations will be the student’s independent efforts. DO NOT share your work on examinations with others and DO
NOT bring notes or cell phones to hourly examinations or the final. All personal items must be placed in the front of the
classroom during the examination. If you absolutely must have a cell phone available for personal reasons, you will be
required to leave the cell phone on the front desk while you take the examination.

Texas Woman’s University’s policy regarding academic dishonesty is clearly stated in the Student Handbook and
will be enforced.

Last Day to Drop: November 4, 2010

Students With Disabilities

If you anticipate the need for reasonable accommodations to meet the requirements of
this course, you must register with the office of Disability Support Services (CFO 106,
940-898-3835, dss@twu.edu <mailto:dss@twu.edu> ) in order to obtain the required official
notification of your accommodation needs.     Please plan to meet with me by
appointment or during office hours to discuss approved accommodations and how my
course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate.