MEDICAL BIOLOGY COURSE OUTLINES

MEDICAL BIOLOGY COURSES- YEAR 1 & 2
COURSE OUTLINES
BMMB 110 - BIOMOLECULES AND CELLS (BIOLOGY): PART I
Background
Biology is the study of life. The cell forms the basic unit of any living organism. It is essential that students
studying life sciences such as Biology and Medicine get a strong background knowledge in the major
concepts and theories of cell biology. This course introduces students to biomolecules (carbohydrates,
proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids), and how they interact in cellular processes.
Rationale
In order for students to understand the various functions of living organisms, they need to understand the
structure and the physio-chemical properties of atoms and molecules which make up the various
components of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, a student should be able to:
(a) Describe the structure and function of important biological molecules.

(b) Identify structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using the light microscope.
(c) Compare and contrast the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
(d) Interpret electron micrographics of cellular components and structures from electron micrographs.
Course Content
ATOMIC THEORY
• Atomic structure and distribution of electrons in orbitals of selected elements (carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium and chlorine)
• Covalent bonds (in water and carbon dioxide)
• Non-covalent bonds (ionic, hydrogen, hydrophobic, hydrophilic and van der Waals).
WATER
• Dipolar nature
• Formation of hydrogen bonds
• Importance as a solvent
• Roles related to its high latent heat of vaporization, specific heat capacity, density and surface
tension.
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CARBOHYDRATES
• Structure and functions of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides in metabolism

• Synthesis and hydrolysis of disaccharides (sucrose, maltose and lactose)
• Synthesis and hydrolysis of polysaccharides (amylose, amylopectin, cellulose and glycogen)
LIPIDS
• Structure of fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated)

• Synthesis of triglycerides (formation of ester bonds)
• Roles of lipids (energy storage, body protection, water proofing, insulation and buoyancy)
• Synthesis of phospholipids
• Structure and roles in the formation of cell membranes;
• Structure and functions of waxes in plants and animals (using any one example)
PROTEINS
• Structure and functions of amino acids

• Classification of amino acids
• Synthesis and hydrolysis of polypeptides (peptide bonds and their formation)
• Functions of proteins (transport, communication, structural, defence and catalysis)
• Different levels of protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary)
• Roles of ionic, hydrogen, disulphide and Van der Waals interactions in protein structure
ENZYMES
• Concept of induced-fit site and enzyme specificity

• Mechanisms of enzyme action (Key and Lock and Induced-Fit hypotheses)
• Enzymes as biological catalysts
• Effects of pH, temperature, substrate and enzyme concentration on enzyme catalysis.
• Role of cofactors and coenzymes on enzyme activity
• Effects of enzyme inhibitors (reversible and irreversible).
NUCLEIC ACIDS
• Structure of ribose, deoxyribose, phosphoric acid and nitrogenous bases

• Synthesis if nucleosides and nucleosides
• Synthesis polynucleotides (DNA and RNA) 9.4 Structures and functions of DNA and RNA
(mRNA, RNA and rRNA).
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PROKARYOTIC CELLS
• Typical structure of a bacterial cell (Escherichia coli);

• Structure and functions of bacterial cell wall,
• Cell membrane (including phospholipids, proteins and oligosaccharides)
• Chromosomal and plasmid DNA
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
• Structure of a typical plant (palisade) cell and a typical animal (liver) cell
• Functions of the cell wall, cell membrane and organelles
Suggested Practical Work
1. Introduction to light microscopy.

2. Properties of water.
3. Qualitative and quantitative biochemical tests of biomolecules.
4. DNA amplification by polymerase chain.
5. Effect of pH, temperature and enzyme and substrate concentration on enzyme activity.
6. Microscopic study of representative bacterial, plant and animal cells.
7. Identification of cellular structures from electron micrographs.
8. Video show illustrating the structure of the DNA molecule.
9. Microscopic examination of stained blood films for cell-type identification.
Teaching Methods and Contact Hours
Lectures and case-based learning 3 hours/week

Tutorials, discussion groups and presentations 1 hour/week
Laboratory practical exercises 3 hours/week
Weekly reading/other study 3 hours/week
Assessment
Continuous assessment: 40%, Tests: 20%, Tutorials: 10%, Practical sessions:10%

Examination: 60%
Total number of credit units:
Prescribed Reading
1. Kent, M. 2000. Advanced biology. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-9141959
Recommended Readings
1. Elliot, W.H. and Elliot. D.C. 2004. Biochemistry and molecular biology. 3rd Ed. Oxford: Oxford
University Press. ISBN 0-19-927199-2. 2. Taylor, D.J., Green, N.P.O. and Stout. G.W. 1997. Biological
science. London: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-63923-9.
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BMMB 120 - MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS (BIOLOGY): PART II
Background
Molecular biology is the branch of biology that studies the structure and function of the macromolecules
(e.g. carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids) essential to life. This course introduces students to
the structure and function of macromolecules. Genetics is the study of heredity. This course in molecular
biology and genetics will introduce students to principles of heredity and the molecular basis of inheritance.
Rationale
Students need to understand that the long-term survival of organisms depends on the continuous division
of their genetic material and cells and that variation among related individuals is very important to their
environmental adaptation and evolution.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
(a) Explain the basic principles of molecular biology and genetics.

(b) Describe the role of gene regulation in cellular function.
(c) Explain the chromosomal theory of inheritance.
(d) Discuss classical Mendelian and post-Mendelian genetics.
Course content
A - MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
• DNA replication in prokaryotes

• Semi-conservative replication
• Experiments of Stahl and Meselson
• Leading strand and lagging strand DNA synthesis.
TRANSCRIPTION
• mRNA, Trans and reran transcription in prokaryotes (Initiation, elongation and termination).
• Post-transcriptional modifications of eukaryotic RNA primary transcripts
TRANSLATION
• Protein synthesis;
• Properties of the genetic code
• Amino acid activation, initiation, elongation and termination.
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REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION
• Significance
• The Lac operon system;
• End product inhibition.
GENE MUTATION
• Types of mutations
• Mutagens and their effects
B - GENETICS
• Chromosomes
• Chromosomal theory of inheritance
• Discovery of chromosomes
• Chromosomal structure (DNA, histones, nucleosomes)
• Genes and alleles.
CELL DIVISION
• Cell cycle
• Mitosis
• Meiosis
INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS
• Definition and significance of genetics

• Key concepts in Genetics
MENDELIAN GENETICS
• Mendel’s First and Second Laws;

• Monohybrid cross, dihybrid cross, Test cross and back cross.
• Use of the Punnet square;
• The Chi-squared test
POST – MENDELIAN GENETICS
• Multiple alleles, lethal genes, polygenic inheritance

• Gene linkage. 10.3 Gene interactions
• Epistasis and modifications of Mendelian phenotypic ratios.
• Sex determination and sex-linkage
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• Inheritance of sex and sex-linked traits
• Colour blindness and haemophilia as examples of X-linked diseases in humans
• Hormonal effects on sex expression.
Suggested Practical Work
1. Characterization of cellular components.

2. DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction.
3. DNA extraction.
4. Mitosis in plant cells.
5. Study of the behaviour of chromosomes during meiosis and fertilization using simulations.
6. Study of characters showing genetic variation in Drosophila.
7. Monohybrid crosses in Drosophila, maize and peas.
8. Chi-squared test.
9. Solving genetic problems I – Monohybrid crosses.
10. Solving genetic problems II – Dihybrid crosses.
11. Solving pedigree problems post-Mendelian genetics.
Teaching Methods and Contact Hours
Lectures and case-based learning 3 hours/week

Tutorials, discussion groups and presentations 1 hour/week
Laboratory practical exercises 3 hours/week
Weekly reading/other study 3 hours/week
Assessment
Continuous assessment 40%: Tests 20%: Tutorials – 10%: Practical sessions – 10%
Examination 60%
Prescribed Textbooks
1. Solomon E.P. and Berg L.R. (1997). The World of Biology. 5th ed. Harcourt: Saunders College
Publishing. ISBN 0039048657.
Recommended Books
1. Kent, M. (2000). Advanced biology. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-9141959.
2. Elliot, W. H. and Elliot D. C. (2004). Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 3rd Ed. Oxford: Oxford
University Press. ISBN 0-19-927199-
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MEDICAL BIOLOGY COURSES- YEAR 1 & 2

BMMB 110 - BIOMOLECULES AND CELLS (BIOLOGY): PART I

At the end of the course, a student should be able to:

(a) Describe the structure and function of important biological molecules.

• Structure and functions of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides in metabolism

• Structure of fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated)

• Structure and functions of amino acids

• Concept of induced-fit site and enzyme specificity

• Structure of ribose, deoxyribose, phosphoric acid and nitrogenous bases

• Typical structure of a bacterial cell (Escherichia coli);

Suggested Practical Work

1. Introduction to light microscopy.

Teaching Methods and Contact Hours

Lectures and case-based learning 3 hours/week

Continuous assessment: 40%, Tests: 20%, Tutorials: 10%, Practical sessions:10%

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

(a) Explain the basic principles of molecular biology and genetics.

• DNA replication in prokaryotes

• Definition and significance of genetics

• Mendel’s First and Second Laws;

POST – MENDELIAN GENETICS

• Multiple alleles, lethal genes, polygenic inheritance

Suggested Practical Work

1. Characterization of cellular components.

Teaching Methods and Contact Hours

Lectures and case-based learning 3 hours/week

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