ASC2687

Microbial cell function

Mrs Diana Richards

4 points - Second semester - 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of practical work per week - Gippsland/Distance - Prerequisites: ASC2666 - Prohibitions: MIC2011,GAS2122, BTH2787

Objectives On completion of this subject, students will be able to describe how mutations bring about genetic change, describe and compare the mechanism of recombination in bacteria, compare methods of bacterial genetic exchange, show an understanding of how lysogeny may influence the phenotype of bacteria, discuss the importance of plasmids and transposons in mobilising genetic elements, describe the role of the cytoplasmic membrane as a selective barrier, compare the cell walls of Bacteria and Archaea, describe the structure and function of bacterial cell components, compare the methods of catabolism and energy production in bacteria, discuss the biosynthesis of macromolecules.

Synopsis ASC2687 (Microbial cell function) relies on material covered in ASC2666 and discusses in more detail the functions of the bacterial cell. Bacterial genetics is introduced with an emphasis on how changes in the bacterial genome can occur by mutations, introduction of foreign DNA and rearrangement of existing DNA. The section on bacterial cell structure and function builds on the knowledge gained by the student in ASC2666, expanding the concepts of the cell as a dynamic unit, constantly striving to maintain a stable environment within, while assimilating materials and synthesising new parts. The role of the cell membrane is emphasised in this section along with a more detailed discussion of the other cell components. The next part of this subject continues the discussion on bacterial metabolism, enhancing the principles of catabolism and energy production as well as introducing the anabolic pathways used by bacteria to synthesise various products.

Assessment Final examination: 70% - Practical work: 30%

Prescribed texts

Madigan M T and others Brock: Biology of microorganisms Prentice Hall, 1997

Recommended texts

Tortora G J and others Microbiology: An introduction Benjamin-Cummings, 1995

Back to the 1999 Science Handbook