Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
BB40145 Microbial cell growth & proliferation |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: EX 70%, OT 30% |
| Requisites: |
|
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an understanding of the principles of cell growth and division and the regulation of the cell cycle in bacteria, archaea and single-celled eukarya. After taking this course the student should be able to: * give quantitative interpretations of growth curves * describe the differences between batch, fed-batch and continuous culture in nature and in the laboratory * describe the key features of growth, initiation of DNA replication, chromosome segregation and cell division in bacteria, archaea and eukarya * give an account of the cell cycle controls that ensure ordered progress of the cell cycle * explain the checkpoint concept * show how genetics and biochemistry have been used to elucidate the cell cycle. Content: Methods for analysing growing cells and proliferating cell populations; batch culture; continuous culture; cell cycles of bacteria yeasts and archaea. |