Cell Biology and Cell Culture (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

The student is able to
- explain the structure of eukaryotic cell and extracellular matrix
- describe the basic functions of cells: function of plasma membrane, membrane transport, mitosis and meiosis, motility, differentiation and cell death
- describe the most common cell biology methods
- define basic terms of cell culture
- culture and analyze cells using basic cell culture and cell biology techniques

Content (course unit)

- the structures of cells, extracellular matrix and tissues
- membrane structure and function
- cytoskeleton
- cell cycle and cell division
- cell signaling
- cell death, differentiation, cancer
- cell culture terminology and basic techniques
- practical laboratory work

Exam schedules

xx.10.2021
Re-take exams in Exam system.

Assessment methods and criteria

Laboratory work: full attendance is compulsory
Lectures: active participation may raise the grade obtained on the basis of the exam.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

lectures
group work and assignments
laboratory work (cell culture)
exam

Learning materials

Lecture material.
Forss, Heinonen: Soluviljelijän käsikirja. Oppimateriaalia soluviljelymenetelmäkurssille.
Heino, Jyrki, Vuento, Matti: Biokemia ja solubiologia. Ellibs 2020.
Cell biology textbooks, f.ex. Alberts et al. Essential cell biology.

Student workload

Lectures 33 h
Laboratory work 8 h
Independent work ~90 h.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Cell culture laboratory work is supervised by laboratory technician Janette Hinkka. The laboratory work will be done in the premises of Tampere University, in the cell culture laboratory in Arvo-building.

Further information

Solubiologian teoria 2 op, soluviljelyn laboratorioharjoitukset 2 op.
Ei toteuteta joka vuosi

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student is able to describe the most important structural features and functions of a eukaryotic cell at a basic level. The student knows the main principles of cell culture work. He can explain the main terms and concepts. The student knows the areas of use of cell culture work. The student can work aseptically and safely in cell culture laboratory. The student can maintain and handle cultured cells with guidance.
The student knows the basics of the cell cycle, cell division, cell death, cell differentiation and cell signalling.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student is able to describe the most important structural features and function of a eukaryotic cell. The student has an understanding of how cells communicate, grow, divide and die. The student understands the structure and funtion of a cell on the basic level. The student can extensively interpret the terms and concepts of cell culture work. He can explain the behavior of animal cells in culture and name the factors needed for their growth. The student knows the areas of use of cell culture. The student can work aseptically and safely in cell culture laboratory and apply the theoretical knowledge to laboratory work. The student can maintain and handle cultured cells according to written instructions, and plan cell culture experiments.
The student can explain the basic principles of the cell cycle, cell division, cell death, cell differentiation and cell signalling. The student has an overall picture of the cellular functions.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student is able to describe the structural features and function of a eukaryotic cell extensively. The student is able to describe how cells communicate, grow, divide and die. The student understands the connections between cellular structures and function and understands the significance of cellular events. The student can extensively interpret the terms, concepts and principles of cell culture work. He can explain the behavior of animal cells in culture and name the factors needed for their growth and explain their mechanisms. The student knows the areas of use of cell culture. The student can work aseptically and safely in cell culture laboratory and apply the theoretical knowledge to laboratory work. The student can independently search for information and according to that maintain and handle different kinds of cultured cells and plan cell culture experiments.
The student can explain the principles of the cell cycle, cell division and cell death. The student understands the process of cell differentiation. Thestudent understands the principles and signifigance of cell signalling. The student is able to descibe different ways of cell to cell communication and their differences. The student has a good overall picture of the cellular functions.