2024 Faculty Courses School of Life Science and Technology Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
Cell Biology
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
- Instructor(s)
- Naohiko Koshikawa / Fumi Kano / Naonobu Fujita
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 7-8 Mon / 7-8 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LST.A357
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The cell is a fundamental unit consists of organisms. There are various organelles in the cell, and the organelles continuously interact with one another by transporting molecules. The cytoskeleton is essentially involved in the transport. Further, various molecules are also transported between the cells across the plasma membrane. Therefore, knowledge of cell biology, such as organelle, cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix, is critical for understanding the higher-order biological phenomena, including development.
This course aims to provide a comprehensive overview and insight into the cellular structure, function, and its roles in development.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Explain the molecular mechanisms of intracellular transport between organelles.
2) Explain the structure and functions of the cytoskeleton.
3) Explain the physiological functions and molecular mechanism of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interaction.
4) Explain the regulatory mechanism of the development of multicellular organisms.
Keywords
Organelle, intracellular transport, cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, extracellular matrix, development
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
In the first 10 min of each lecture, a summary of the previous lecture is given as necessary, followed by the main points of the day's lecture. In the last 15 min of each lecture, a quiz may be given to find out if students have learned the material given.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Cells and Genomes | Students must be able to explain the basics of cells and genomes. |
| Class 2 | Membrane Structure | Students must be able to explain the components and the role of the membrane in cells. |
| Class 3 | Membrane Transport of Small Molecules | Students must be able to explain the molecular basis of the transfer of biomolecules between membranes. |
| Class 4 | Protein Sorting | Students must be able to explain the molecular basis of protein sorting to organelles, especially to mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. |
| Class 5 | Membrane Traffic: Exocytosis | Students must be able to explain the elementary processes of intracellular membrane traffic and explain the molecular basis of exocytosis. |
| Class 6 | Membrane Traffic: Endocytosis and Autophagy | Students must be able to explain the roles and molecular mechanisms of endocytosis and autophagy, which deliver extracellular and intracellular materials to the lysosome, respectively. |
| Class 7 | Analyzing Membrane Traffic | Students must be able to explain the techniques to measure the membrane traffic in cells. |
| Class 8 | Energy Conversion | Students must be able to explain energy conversion mechanisms functioning in mitochondria and chloroplasts. |
| Class 9 | Cytoskeletons | Students must be able to explain the structures, mechanisms, and functions of cytoskeletons. |
| Class 10 | Cell Motility | Students must be able to explain the mechanisms and functions of cell motility. |
| Class 11 | Cell Adhesion | Students must be able to explain the character, mechanism, and biological roles of cell adhesion. |
| Class 12 | Extracellular Matrix (ECM) | Students must be able to explain the character, mechanism, and biological roles of ECM. |
| Class 13 | Development of Multicellular Organisms 1 | Students must be able to explain the general concept and the regulatory mechanism in the development of multicellular organisms. |
| Class 14 | Development of Multicellular Organisms 2 | Students must be able to explain the regulatory mechanism of axis formation and cell differentiation in the development of multicellular organisms. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Not specified.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Reference book: Molecular Biology of the Cell (Alberts et al., Garland Science). Handouts will be distributed at the beginning of class when necessary.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Based on reports and quiz, whether students achieved the above outcomes is assessed.
Related courses
- Biochemistry I
- Molecular Biology I
- Biochemistry II
- Molecular Biology II
Prerequisites
Students must have completed Biochemistry I, Biochemistry II, Molecular Biology I, and Molecular Biology II or have equivalent knowledge.
Other
Depending on the situation of corona infection, there may be the limited registration and, online transition.