BASICS OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Paper Code: 
24CZOL513
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
Course objectives:  
This course will enable the students to – 
1. Develop an understanding of the life processes at the subcellular and molecular levels. 
2. Differentiate and evaluate important aspects of DNA and molecular genetics including  gene cloning, sequencing and gene mapping in addition to the powerful techniques that  revolutionized the pharmaceutical, health and agricultural industries. 
 
Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and 

teaching strategies

Assessment

Strategies

 Course 

Code

Course Title

24CZOL 513

Basics of Molecular 

Biology

THEORY

 

The students will:

CO:109 Understand replication mechanism in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

CO:110 Appraise the structure and types of Nucleic acids, their characteristic features and occurrence.

CO:111 Develop detailed knowledge  about the process and importance  of DNA replication in both 

prokaryotes and eukaryotes and  protein machinery involved in it.

CO:112 Analyse comprehensive  knowledge about the process of  Transcription.

CO:113 Develop an understanding of  translation along  with the mechanisms of post  transcriptional and post translational processes in the cell

CO:114 Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

The approach in 

teaching:

Interactive Lectures,  Discussion, 

Tutorials, Reading  assignments, 

Demonstration, 

Guest lectures

 

Learning activities  for the students:

Self learning, 

assignments, 

Effective questions,  Simulation, Seminar  presentation, Giving  tasks, Regular 

activities like quiz,  surprise test, 

explanation of given  task

Class test 

Semester end  examinations,  Quiz, 

Assignment, 

Presentation 

Surprise test 

Open book test

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Nucleic Acids
Salient features of DNA and RNA 
Watson and Crick model of DNA 
Semi-conservative, bidirectional and semi-discontinuous replication, 
DNA Replication: DNA Replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes,  
Mechanism of DNA replication 
 
12.00
Unit II: 
Transcription
RNA polymerase and transcription unit,  
Mechanism of transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes 
Transcription factors 
 
12.00
Unit III: 
Translation
Genetic code, Degeneracy of the genetic code and Wobble Hypothesis
Process of protein synthesis in prokaryotes: 
Ribosome structure and assembly in prokaryotes, fidelity of protein synthesis, aminoacyl  tRNA synthetases and charging of tRNA; 
Proteins involved in initiation, elongation and termination of polypeptide chain
 
12.00
Unit IV: 
Post Transcriptional Modifications and Processing of Eukaryotic RNA
Split genes: concept of introns and exons
Splicing mechanism, alternative splicing, exon  shuffling, 
RNA editing
 

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Post translational modifications
Gene Regulation: Transcription regulation in prokaryotes: Principles of transcriptional  regulation with examples from lac operon and trp operon 
Transcription regulation in eukaryotes: Activators, repressors, enhancers, silencer elements;  Gene silencing, 
Essential Readings: 
● Cell Biology by C.B. Powar; Himalaya Publishing House.
● Cell and Molecular Biology; Phillip Sheeler Donald E. Bianchi; John Wiley and Sons. 
 
SUGGESTED READING: 
● The Cell: A Molecular Approach. Cooper, G. Houseman G.R. SinaeurAssoc, New York 
● Becker, W.M., Kleinsmith, L.J., Hardin. J. and Bertoni, G. P. (2009). The World of the Cell.VII Edition. Pearson Benjamin Cummings Publishing, San 
● Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, 
● Peter Walter: Molecular Biology of the Cell, IV Edition. 
● Cooper G. M. and Robert E. Hausman R. E. The Cell: A Molecular Approach, V Edition, ASM Press and Sinauer Associates. 
● De Robertis, E.D.P. and De Robertis, E.M.F. (2006).Cell and Molecular Biology.VIII Edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia. 
● Karp, G. (2010) Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments. VI Edition.John Wiley and Sons.Inc. 
● Lewin B. (2008). Gene XI, Jones and Bartlett 
● McLennan A., Bates A., Turner, P. and White M. (2015). Molecular Biology IV Edition.GS, Taylor and Francis Group, New York and London. 
● Molecular Cell biology (2nd Edition) J. Darnell, H. Lodish and D.Baltimore, Scientific American Books,USA,1994. 
● Cell & Molecular Biology, (8th edition), E D P Roberties& E M F Roberties, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005 
 
e-RESOURCES: 
 
JOURNALS: 
• The Journal of Cell and Molecular Biology 
• Cellular and Molecular Biology 
• Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 
 
 
Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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