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CCF Botany Major - DSCC-12 (Cell and Molecular Biology) | University of Calcutta

By admin • Published on April 09, 2026

Course Syllabus
play_arrow Click to Expand: Full Cell & Molecular Biology Syllabus (BOT-H-CC12-5-Th)
Semester V (Core)
BOT-H-CC12-5-Th – Cell and Molecular Biology – 75 Marks / 3 Credits
I. Cell Biology
1. Origin and Evolution of Cells
  • 1.1 Evolution of nucleic acid (from PNA to DNA), Concept of RNA world, Ribozymes, First cell.
  • 1.2 Origin of eukaryotic cell (endosymbiotic theory).
  • 1.3 Small RNA-riboswitch, RNA interference, siRNA, miRNA, snRNA, hnRNA- brief idea.
  • 1.4 Organellar DNA (cp- and mt- DNA). (2 lectures)
2. Techniques of Study
  • 2.1 Microscopy (Simple, Compound, Fluorescence,Electron‐SEM and TEM).
  • 2.2 Spectrophotometry.
  • 2.3 Electrophoresis (Principle and applications of native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and SDS PAGE).
  • 2.4 Western blot, Southern blot and Northern blot.
  • 2.5 FISH and GISH. (6 lectures)
3. Nucleus and Chromosome
  • 3.1 Nuclear envelope, nuclear lamina and nuclear pore complex.
  • 3.2 Nucleolus-ultrastructure and ribosome biogenesis.
  • 3.3 Chromatin ultrastructure and DNA packaging in eukaryotic chromosomes (Nucleosome Model).
  • 3.4 Centromere: types, structure and function. (4 lectures)
4. Cell Cycle & Regulation
  • 4.1 Basic introduction to cell cycle: Mitosis and cytokinesis; comparison between plant, animal and yeast cell cycle; chromosome and chromatids positions, structures during pro-meta-ana-telo phase in detail; Spindle pole body organization, duplication, maturation in yeast cell cycle; mitotic check points and role of MPF; proteins involved in cytokinesis- how actomyosin contractile ring forms, matures and constricts in yeast cytokinesis followed by septum formation and generation of two daughter cells..
  • 4.2 Apoptosis, Autophagy and Necrosis: Definition and concept; apoptosis: extrinsic and intrinsic pathways.
  • 4.3 Cancer: Development and causes of cancer, Types of cancer. Proto Oncogene, oncogenes-Ras, BCL-2, Tumour suppressor genes-p53, p21 and DNA Repair Gene. (8 lectures)
II. Molecular Biology
1. DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation (Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes)
  • 1.1 Central Dogma concept.
  • 1.2 Semiconservative DNA replication – mechanism, enzymes involved in DNA replication - DNA polymerase, DNA gyrase, Helicase, Ligase, primase and other accessory proteins.
  • 1.3 Eukaryotic replication with special reference to replication licensing factor, assembly of new nucleosome, telomerase concept.
  • 1.4 Fidelity of DNA replication- prokaryote: nucleotide selection, proofreading, mismatch repair.
  • 1.5 Transcription: concept of prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription. Steps of initiation, elongation and termination in prokaryotes, RNA editing, Guide RNA, Aminoacylation of tRNA.
  • 1.6 Translation: Difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic translation. Prokaryotic translation steps- initiation elongation and termination. Concept of genetic code- wobble hypothesis; Descipherence of codon. (6 lectures)
2. Gene Regulation
  • 2.1 Operon: Concept of Lac-operon.
  • 2.2 Positive and negative control. (2 lectures)
3. Recombinant DNA Technology
  • 3.1 Recombinant DNA technology, Restriction endonuclease, types and roles.
  • 3.2 Vector (plasmid pBR 322).
  • 3.3 Marker gene and Reporter gene.
  • 3.4 Steps of cloning technique.
  • 3.5 PCR and its application.
  • 3.6 Genomic DNA and cDNA library, DNA fingerprinting and role of DNA Fingerprinting in Forensic Science. (4 lectures)
Previous Year Questions
2025
BOTANY — HONOURS
Paper : DSCC-12
(Cell and Molecular Biology)
Full Marks : 75
1. Answer any six questions :
2 × 6
(a) What is the difference between group I and group II introns? (2)
(b) State one difference between type I and type II restriction enzymes. (2)
(c) What is a riboswitch? Give an example. (1+1)
(d) What is 'FISH'? (2)
(e) Define apoptosis. (2)
(f) What are okazaki fragments? (2)
(g) What is Wobble hypothesis? (2)
(h) Mention the functions of guide RNA. (2)
(i) Write down the principle of SEM. (2)
2. Answer any three questions of the following :
5 × 3
(a) Write a note on PCR and its application. (5)
(b) Write down the ultrastructure of nucleolus. (5)
(c) Briefly describe ribosome biogenesis with suitable diagram. (5)
(d) What is a selectable marker? Mention the steps of gene cloning. (2+3)
(e) Write a note on the applications of Southern and Western Blot techniques. (2½+2½)
3. Answer any four questions of the following :
12 × 4
(a) Describe DNA packaging in eukaryotic chromosome with special emphasis on nucleosome concept. (12)
(b) Define Sarcoma. Discuss the roles of protooncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in cancer development. What is the role of Cyclin D1 for cancer development? (2+6+4)
(c) How is a messenger RNA modified after transcription in eukaryotes? What is the role of tRNA in protein synthesis? Describe the initiation stage of transcription in prokaryotes. (4+4+4)
(d) What are the three different mitotic checkpoints? Describe the role of MPF in mitotic entry. (4+8)
(e) Write down the role of the following during DNA replication in E. coli: (6+2+2+2)
(i) DNA polymerase I and III
(ii) Gyrase
(iii) Helicase
(iv) SSB protein.
(f) Write a brief note on the properties of the genetic code. What do you mean by codon degeneracy? Briefly explain aminoacylation of tRNA. (6+2+4)
Tags: Botany Major SEM-V University of Calcutta
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