Biomembranes and Bioenergetics

By Binapani Chingtham | S. Kula Women’s College, Nambol, Manipur

Learners enrolled: 650

The course Biomembranes and Bioenergetics has a multi-disciplinary application and encompasses core fundamental topics that will benefit students in the fields of life sciences, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, bioengineering, biotechnology etc.

The main objectives of the course are:

1. To familiarize the students with the fundamental concepts of cellular membranes, their structures and the chemical composition that are responsible for the unique functions of biomembranes with emphasis on membrane transport

2. To help the students understand the concept of chemical thermodynamics and how they apply within cells

3. To make the students understand the various energy transductions that occur within the cell.

Summary

Course Status :	Completed
Course Type :	Core
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	15 Jul 2019
End Date :	05 Oct 2019
Exam Date :

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: Biomembrane structure and composition, Biomembrane asymmetry and fluidity, Fluid Mosaic Model of biological membrane, Model membrane systems

Week 2: Membrane dynamics. Membrane lipids. Membrane proteins. RBC membrane architecture

Week 3: Transport of metabolites across the plasma membrane, Passive and active transport, Symport and antiport systems, ATP-powered pumps

Week 4: Na+/K+ ATPases and Ca2+ ATPases, Secondary active Transporters, ABC family of transporters, Vesicular transport

Week 5: Ion channels, Principles of chemical thermodynamics – concept of free energy, enthalpy and entropy, Equilibruim state, open and closed systems, Oxidation-reduction reactions and reduction potential

Week 6: Nernst equation and free energy changes, Role of ATP in cellular Metabolism, Chemiosmotic theory, Universal electron carriers

Week 7: Types of phosphorylation, Oxidative phosphorylation and Mitochondrial electron transport, Inhibitors of ETC and uncouplers, Glycolysis

Week 8: TCA cycle, Beta oxidation of fatty acids, Thermogenesis, Alternative respiratory pathways in plants,

Week 9: Photosynthetic pigments, Photophosphorylation in plants, Molecular analysis of photosystems I and II, Z scheme of photosynthetic electron flow

Week 10: Practical

1. Differential staining of WBC

2. RBC ghost cell preparation and study of effects on membranes

3. Study of photosynthetic oxygen evolution in Hydrilla plant.

Week 11: Discussion/Interaction

Week 12: Discussion/Interaction

Books and references

REFERENCES:

1. Lehninger: Principles of Biochemistry (2013) 6th ed., Nelson, D.L. and Cox, M.M., W.H. Freeman and Company (New York), ISBN:13:978-1-4641-0962-1 / I SBN : 10:1-4641- 0962-1.

2. Molecular Cell Biology (2013) 7th ed., Lodish, H., Berk, A., Kaiser, C.A., Krieger, M., Bretscher, A., Ploegh, H., Amon, A. and Scott, M.P.. W.H. Freeman & Company (New York), 1SBN:13:978-1-4641-0981-2.

3. Biochemistry (2010) 4th ed., Garret, R. H. and Grisham, C.M., Cengage Learning (Boston), ISBN-13:978-0-495-11464-2.

4. Principles of Biochemistry (2008) 3" ed., Voet, D.J., Voet, J.G. and Pratt, C.W., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (New York), ISBN:13: 978-0470-23396-2

LINKS:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21475/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21054/?term=molecular%20biology%20of%20cell

Instructor bio

Binapani Chingtham is serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, S. Kula Women’s College Nambol, Manipur for the past 14 years. She has been teaching Cell Biology, Immunology and Animal Biotechnology to undergraduate students. She is NET-LS qualified and has completed 2 UGC-sponsored Minor Research Projects.