MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS
Medicine Handbook 1996
Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
MED1031
Cell and molecular biology I
Associate Professor R A Bywater (Physiology)
Objectives On the completion of this subject students should have an
understanding of the fundamental principles that guide cellular organisation
and function in a typical human (eukaryotic) cell. They will have developed an
understanding of the importance of micro-organisms in biology and understand
how the structure of a typical prokaryotic cell differs from a eukaryotic cell.
The student will have an understanding of the principles of membrane transport
and the electrical properties of the plasma membrane.
Synopsis Introduction to the techniques used in cellular biology
research and description of the components of and the extracellular environment
of mammalian cells and how cells are formed into tissues. Introduction to the
basis of classification of micro-organisms and its importance in the diagnosis
of infectious disease. The replication of prokaryotic cells, the mechanisms of
antibiotic drug resistance and the nature of viruses and how they replicate.
The distribution of body water and electrolytes including the concepts of
osmolarity and tonicity. The structure of the plasma membrane and how this
relates to the transport of substances across it. The passive and active
electrical properties of a typical mammalian cell including the generation of
the resting membrane potential and the action potential in a nerve cell.
Assessment Examination (2 hrs): 100%
Recommended texts
- Chapman J B Basic electrophysiology of cells 2nd or 3rd edn,
Department of Physiology, Monash U, 1988, 1989
- Kleinsmith L J and Kish V M Principles of cell and molecular biology
2nd edn, Harper Collins, 1995
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