SubjectsSubjects(version: 978)
Course, academic year 2025/2026
   
Cell Biology and Biochemistry - MB151P123E
Title: Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Czech title: Buněčná biologie a biochemie
Guaranteed by: Department of Cell Biology (31-151)
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Actual: from 2025
Semester: winter
E-Credits: 4
Examination process: winter s.:combined
Hours per week, examination: winter s.:3/0, Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: English
Note: enabled for web enrollment
priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
Guarantor: prof. RNDr. Jan Černý, Ph.D.
RNDr. Lenka Libusová, Ph.D.
doc. RNDr. Petr Folk, CSc.
Teacher(s): prof. RNDr. Jan Černý, Ph.D.
doc. RNDr. Petr Folk, CSc.
RNDr. Lenka Libusová, Ph.D.
Annotation -
The course combines cell biology and biochemistry, covering the basic principles of living systems. It emphasizes understanding of the underlying mechanisms, linking the molecular level to the cellular. It includes the central dogma of molecular genetics, compartmentalization of cell processes and functions, cell metabolism etc. Individual types of biomolecules will be systematically discussed in the context of cell physiology. The course also addresses typical features of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and maintaining cellular complexity.
Last update: Libusová Lenka, RNDr., Ph.D. (06.06.2019)
Literature -

Molecular Biology of the Cell Seventh Edition by Bruce Alber, ISBN-13: 978-0393884821, ISBN-10: 0393884821, W. W. Norton & Company; Seventh edition 2022.

Molecular Biology of the Cell Sixth Edition by Bruce Alberts (Author), Alexander Johnson, ISBN-13: 978-0815345244, ISBN-10: 0815345240, W. W. Norton & Company; 2014.

Cell Biology 3rd Edition by Thomas D. Pollard MD, Elsevier, 2016.

Molecular Cell Biology, Ninth Edition| Harvey Lodish; Arnold Berk; Chris A. Kaiser; Monty Krieger; Anthony Bretscher; Hidde Ploegh; Kelsey C. Martin; Michael Yaffe; Angelika Amon,  ISBN-13: 978-1319208523, ISBN-10: 1319208525, 2021.

Essential Cell Biology Alberts, et al., 2nd ed., ISBN-10: 0-81533480-X, ISBN-13: 978-0-81533480-4, B., ed., Garland Publishin, 2004.

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry By: David L. Nelson; Michael M. Cox, Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company, ISBN-13: 978-1319228002ISBN-10: 1319228003e, Edition: 8th, 2021.

Biochemistry. Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Lubert Stryer Hardcover – ISBN-10 ‏ : 1429276355ISBN-13:‎978-1429276351 , Palgrave MacMillan; 7th edition 201

Last update: Šebková Nataša, RNDr., Ph.D. (31.05.2022)
Requirements to the exam -

Examination Requirements
A written or oral exam covering the topics of the syllabus.

Last update: Libusová Lenka, RNDr., Ph.D. (23.09.2025)
Syllabus

1 WATER AND BIOMOLECULES
Water and its properties important for life. The nature of the hydrophobic effect. The main types of biomolecules. Acid-base reactions of biomolecules. Amino acids. Characteristics of amino acids in proteins. Chirality of biomolecules.

2 PROTEIN STRUCTURES
Covalent structure of proteins. Secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures. Forces determining the stability of protein structures. Protein folding, hydrophobic collapse. Disordered, fibrillar and globular proteins. The role of chaperones. Hyperstable conformation – prion protein.

3 PROTEIN FUNCTIONS
Binding of ligands to proteins – models. Cooperativity and allostery. Catalysis – principles and basic mechanisms. Properties of enzymes which are important for life. Regulatory principles of enzymatic reactions.

4 CELL - introduction
Overall structure, compartments, individual organelles and their function. Prokaryotic versus eukaryotic cells, types of eukaryotic cells.

5 BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES
Structure, properties, function. Transport across membranes - diffusion, transport mechanisms, carriers and channels. Membrane organelles - endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, lysosomes, vacuoles. Intracellular membrane transport, endo- and exocytosis.

6 CENTRAL DOGMA: FROM GENE TO PROTEIN
Overview of nucleic acids - structure, types, functions, localization. Replication, transcription, regulation of gene expression. Translation - mechanisms, ribosomes, post-translational modifications of proteins.

7 METABOLISM - introduction
The sustainability of life. Exo- and endergonic reactions and their coupling. Macroergic compounds. Redox reactions, coenzymes. Glycolysis – principles and regulation. Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Citric acid cycle.

8 ENERGY TRANSDUCTION ON MEMBRANES
Mitochondria. The electron transport chain. Oxidative phosphorylation. Chloroplasts. Photosynthesis. Types of photosystems and their integration. Principles common to the mitochondrial and chloroplast electron transfer processes.

9 CYTOSKELETON
Microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments. Structural components, dynamics, role in cells. Molecular motors. Intracellular and cellular motility. Flagella/cilia, muscles.

10 CELLULAR ADHESION and ECM
Structure and importance of cellular junctions. Extracellular matrix - structural components, role.

11 CELL SIGNALING
Type of signals. Receptors - types and mechanisms of signal transmission. Intracellular messengers. Regulation and connection of signaling cascades.

12 CELL CYCLE
Phases, regulation, importance in multicellular organisms. Nuclear division - phases, mechanism, control. Cytokinesis in different cell types. Apoptosis.

Last update: Libusová Lenka, RNDr., Ph.D. (31.10.2025)
Learning outcomes

1 WATER AND BIOMOLECULES

Deduce the properties of water as a solvent from the characteristics of the molecule.

List the main types of biomolecules; give examples. Explain acid-base reactions of biomolecules.

List proteinogenic amino acids; draw their structures. Distinguish them by their characteristics.

 

2 PROTEIN STRUCTURES

Explain properties of the peptide bond. Outline the spatial arrangements of major types of secondary structures. Discuss their stability with respect to amino acid composition.

Deduce the hierarchical organization of protein structures – from secondary structures to domains.

List forces that determine the stability of protein structures. Explain how proteins fold.

Distinguish disordered, fibrillar, and globular proteins. Explain the role of chaperones. Use the example of the prion protein to explain the phenomenon of hyperstable protein conformation.

 

3 PROTEIN FUNCTIONS

Distinguish two key models of protein – ligand binding.

Explain cooperativity and allostery. List key mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis and illustrate them on examples.

List the key properties of enzymes important for life. List and explain the principles whereby enzymes can be regulated in cells.

 

4 CELL - Introduction

Describe the overall structure and key compartments of cells.

Differentiate between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including types of eukaryotic cells.

Define the functions of major organelles within eukaryotic cells.

Support the theory describing evolutionary origin and subsequent evolutionary development of cells.

 

5 BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES

Explain the structure, properties, and functions of biological membranes.

Compare passive diffusion with active transport mechanisms across membranes, including the roles of carriers and channels.

Analyze the processes of intracellular membrane transport, including endo- and exocytosis.

Identify the membrane-bound organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, lysosomes, and vacuoles. Compare their structures and functions in the cell

Prepare a model illustrating inter-organelle connections in the eukaryotic cell.

 

6 CENTRAL DOGMA: FROM GENE TO PROTEIN

Recall the structures, types, functions, and cellular localizations of nucleic acids.

Outline the processes of DNA replication, transcription, and regulation of gene expression.

Describe the mechanisms of translation, including the roles of ribosomes and post-translational modifications of proteins.

Decide when the flow of information within a biological system is only unidirectional and reason why.

 

7 METABOLISM - introduction

Define life as a phenomenon. List and describe the fundamental characteristics of living systems.

Outline the basic scheme of energetic metabolism. List the molecules of coupling of exergonic and exergonic reactions. Give examples of macroergic compounds and explain their macroergic character.

Describe the steps of glycolysis and explain the logic of the pathway using Lehninger’s e-book.

Describe the Krebs cycle reactions and explain the logic of the pathway using Lehninger’s e-book.

 

8 ENERGY TRANSDUCTION ON MEMBRANES

Describe the chemiosmotic mechanism for ATP synthesis – outline key principles. Draw the anatomy of mitochondria, chloroplast.

Arrange in logical sequence the components of the electron transport chain. Present an overview of the functioning of the ATP synthase.

Using your own words, describe photosynthesis, types of photosystems, and their integration.

Discuss principles common to the mitochondrial and chloroplast electron transfer processes.

 

9 CYTOSKELETON

Identify the major building blocks of cytoskeletal networks

Describe principles and dynamics of assembly for actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments

Discuss the similarities and differences in cytoskeletal networks.

Assess the roles of molecular motors (e.g., kinesins, dyneins, myosins) in cellular processes.

Evaluate the functions of flagella, cilia, and actomyosin complex in cellular motility.

Compare the cytoskeleton in bacteria, including the bacterial flagellum, to eukaryotic systems and evaluate examples of diseases or syndromes (e.g., muscular dystrophy) linked to cytoskeletal dysfunction.

 

10 CELLULAR ADHESION and ECM

Describe the structures of cellular junctions, including tight junctions, adherens junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions. Define their role in tissue integrity and communication.

Compare different types of cellular junctions in terms of tissue-specific distributions.

Describe the components and roles of the extracellular matrix (ECM), such as collagens, proteoglycans, laminins, and fibronectin.

Analyze how integrins mediate interactions between cells and the ECM.

Evaluate the role of the ECM in tissue development, mechanical support, and cellular signaling.

Assess how disruptions in cellular adhesion or ECM composition contribute to diseases like cancer metastasis or fibrosis.

Apply knowledge of adhesion molecules to predict cellular behaviors in processes like wound healing or embryonic development.

 

11 CELL SIGNALING

Describe the complexity of signaling cascades, including feedback loops, signal multiplication, integration, and selectivity.

Classify types of intercellular communication.

Discuss types of cellular signals and receptors, including mechanisms of signal transmission.

Analyze the roles of intracellular messengers and the regulation of signaling cascades.

Compare key pathways, such as G-protein-coupled receptors with second messengers, kinase-linked pathways, proteolysis-dependent pathways (e.g., Wnt, Notch), and those involving intracellular receptors.

 

12 CELL CYCLE

Outline the phases of the cell cycle, its regulation, and its importance in multicellular organisms.

Compare mechanisms of nuclear division (mitosis phases) and control checkpoints across cell types.

Differentiate cytokinesis processes in animal, plant, and fungal cells.

Evaluate the process and significance of apoptosis.

Last update: Libusová Lenka, RNDr., Ph.D. (02.02.2026)
 
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