Course

Unit 1

Themes in the Study of Life – Adaptations-Physical, Behavioural. Physical- Types of Camouflage- Cryptic Coloration, Disruptive colouration, Mimicry, Counter shading, importance of biochromes in camouflage; Behavioural adaptation: Hibernation, Migration, Types of Learned adaptation- Habituation, Sensitization, Imprinting, Conditioned behaviour-classic conditioning and operant conditioning, Insight learning and Spatial learning; Biodiversity: Phylogeny and the Tree of Life, Bacteria and Archaea, Protists, Plant Diversity, Fungi, Animal Diversity, Beauty & Utility of Biodiversity in Sustainable Development

Unit 2

Transmission of genetic information – Unity in Diversity at Cellular, Sub-cellular, Molecular Levels: The Composition of Cells, Cell Metabolism, Fundamentals & Central Dogma of Molecular Biology, Expression and Transmission of Genetic Information-Structure of chromosomes, genes, alleles, Types of chromosomes, Scientific Inquiry: Making Observations & Testing Hypotheses.

Unit 3

Structure and Function of cell – Fundamentals of Cell Theory, Cell Organelles- Nucleus, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Apparatus, Mitochondria, Chloroplast, Lysosome & Peroxisome

Unit 4

Cytoskeleton – Structure and Organization of Microfilaments, Microtubules and Intermediate Filaments, Cell Movement, Motor Proteins.

Unit 5

Extracellular Matrix – Plasma membrane & Transport, Cell Wall, ECM, Cell-Cell Interactions, Cell-Matrix interactions

The course introduces the principles of molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, evolution, basics of cell structure and function, importance of cytoskeleton remodelling and their role in disease conditions

COURSE OUTCOMES:

After completing the course, students shall be able to

CO1.Students shall be able to understand the basics of evolution, diversity of life, transmission of genetic information, framing and testing hypothesis.

CO2. Students shall be able to explain basic concepts of cell theory, the structure of different cell organelles and their function.

CO3. Students shall be able to understand the formation and function of cytoskeletal elements like microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules, cell movement and extracellular matrix.

• Campbell Biology – 12th Edition – Lisa A. Urry, Michael L. Cain, Las Cruces, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minorsky, Rebecca Orr, Pearson (2021).
• The Cell: A Molecular Approach 8e, by Geoffrey M. Cooper. Sinauer Associates, Inc.
• Molecular Biology of the Cell. Alberts B. et al., (2008) 5th edition. Garland Science.