Molecular Biology

(Introduction)

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 Molecular Biology

Molecular biology; the study of biology at the

molecular level.

Molecular biology; the study of gene structure and

functions at the molecular level to understand the
molecular basis of hereditary, genetic variation, and the
expression patterns of genes.

The Molecular biology field overlaps with other

areas, particularly genetics and biochemistry.

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 Relationship to other
biological sciences

Schematic relationship between biochemistry, genetics,

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and molecular biology
Biochemistry is the study of the chemical substances and
vital processes occurring in living organisms. Biochemists
focus heavily on the role, function, and structure of
biomolecules. The study of the chemistry behind biological
processes and the synthesis of biologically active molecules
are examples of biochemistry.

Genetics is the study of the effect of genetic differences on

organisms. This can often be inferred by the absence of a
normal component (e.g. one gene). The study of "mutants"
organisms which lack one or more functional components with
respect to the so-called "wild type" or normal
phenotype.

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Molecular biology is the study of molecular
underpinnings of the processes of replication,
transcription, translation, and cell function.

The central dogma of molecular biology where

genetic material is transcribed into RNA and
then translated into protein,

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 Common Tools in Molecular Biology
Nucleic acid fractionation
Polymerase chain reaction
Probes, Hybridization
Vector, Molecular cloning
Nucleic acid enzymes
Microarray
DNA sequencing
Electrophoretic separation of nucleic acid
Detection of genes:
*DNA: Southern blotting; inSitu hybridization; FISH
Technique
*RNA: Northern blotting
*Protein: Western blotting, immunohistochemistry
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 Human Genome Project
Goals
Identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in
human DNA,
Determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base
pairs that make up human DNA, store this information in
databases,
Improve tools for data analysis,
transfer related technologies to the private sector, and
Address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may
arise from the project.

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 Molecular Biology : Uses

Various methods in molecular biology diagnose the

different human diseases; diagnosis of an infectious
agent, in malignancy, the presence of the genetic
disease and in transplantation, paternity and forensic
analysis.
The Most Recent Applied Technologies
Genetic engineering
DNA finger-printing in the social and forensic science.
Pre and postnatal diagnosis of inherited diseases.
Gene therapy.
Drug Design.

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Molecular biology is
facilitating research in
many field including
biochemistry,
microbiology,
immunology and
genetics,

Molecular biology
allows the laboratory to
be predictive in nature,
it gives information that
the patients may be at
risk for disease (future).
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 THE CELLS

AJI SUTRISNO
FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
Theory of cell
All living organisms are made up of
cells
The cell is the basic living unit of
organization for all living organisms
All cells come from pre-existing cells
Biological diversity & unity
Underlying the diversity of life is a
striking unity
DNA is universal
genetic language
Cells are the basic
units of structure
& function
lowest level of
structure capable
of performing all
activities of life
Activities of life
Most everything you think of a whole
organism needing to do, must be done
at the cellular level
reproduction
growth & development

energy utilization

response to the
environment
homeostasis
Tour of the Cell

2005-
Cell characteristics
All cells:
surrounded by a plasma membrane
have cytosol

semi-fluid substance within the membrane

cytoplasm = cytosol + organelles
contain chromosomes which have
genes in the form of DNA
have ribosomes

tiny organelles that make proteins using

instructions contained in genes
Types of cells
Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic cells
Location of chromosomes

Prokaryotic cell Eukaryotic cell

DNA in nucleoid chromosomes in
region, without a nucleus, membrane-
membrane enclosed organelle
separating it from
rest of cell
Cell types
Prokaryote Eukaryote
The prokaryotic cell is much simpler in structure, lacking a nucleus and the other
membrane-enclosed organelles of the eukaryotic cell.
Eukaryotic cells
Eukaryotic cells are more complex than
prokaryotic cells
within cytoplasm is a variety of
membrane-bounded organelles
specialized structures
in form & function
Eukaryotic cells are
generally bigger than
prokaryotic cells
10 100 m
Animal Cell
Plant Cell
Cell size
Lower limit
smallest bacteria, mycoplasmas
0.1 to 1.0 micron (m = micrometer)
most bacteria
1-10 microns
Upper limit
eukaryotic cells
10-100 microns

micron = micrometer = 1/1,000,000 meter

diameter of human hair = ~20 microns
PROKARYOTIC AND EUKARYOTIC CELLS

Prokaryotic Eukaryotic Cells

Cell Type Bacteria Protists, fungi,

plant, animal
Size 100 nm 10 m 10 -100 m

Structure - No Nucleus; - DNA enclosed in

DNA located in the membrane-
the cytoplasm. bound nucleus.
- Few organells - Many organelles
Cell membrane
Exchange organelle
plasma membrane functions as
selective barrier
allows passage of O2, nutrients & wastes
Organelles & Internal membranes
Eukaryotic cell
internal membranes
partition cell into compartments
create different local environments
compartmentalize functions
membranes for different compartments are
specialized for their function
different structures for specific functions
unique combination of lipids & proteins
VIRUS / Bacteriophage

Bacteriophage
Any Questions??
 THANK YOU

KAMSA HAMNIDA