Biology 371-B: Special Topic in Biology: Remarkable Cell Biology: Being a Neuron

Cells are the fundamental units of life. Thus, studying the mechanisms of cell biology can help to understand life in operational terms. In the case of eukaryotic cells, neurons are among the most structurally and functionally complex of cells, making them "supermodels of cell biology." Because of this complexity, neurons reveal the challenges associated with making and delivering the necessary ingredients for healthy function to the right place in the cell at the right time, as well as the catastrophic pathologies that can arise when they don't. This seminar course will use neurons as a case study, combining classic and current literature to apply common principles of cell biology, e.g. regulation of cell structure and motility, gene expression, transport within and between cells, cell communication, and metabolism. Contributes to the Molecular/Cell major requirement in Biology; required Biology courses in the BBAC major; and elective credits for BBMB.