CELL BIOLOGY 220 JMU

CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - BIO 214

ASSIGNMENT OF THE WEEK: #9

Metabolism Poster

Introduction

Metabolic pathways and organellar structure and function are often treated in textbooks and lectures as separate topics. In reality, however, energy and metabolites "flow" between pathways - cellular metabolism is an integrated process. In addition, information "flows" from DNA to proteins that are then targeted to various locations. This assignment is to make a poster (22" x 28") illustrating respiration, photosynthesis and gene expression in a cell. Some of the best examples will be put on display.

Working singly or in pairs, draw a hybrid plant/animal cell containing one each of all of the relevant organelles. The trick will be to illustrate the processes so that readers will be able to see them from a distance of about 5 feet, while close examination will reveal the actual structure being illustrated. In other words, try to be accurate but stretch the structural reality so as to be informative. For example, illustrate the plasma membrane as being about one inch thick. In reality it would be much thinner, but if displayed at the proper scale no one would see it!

Illustrate the following in your poster:

Proton ATPase (plant) and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase (animal) in the plasma membrane
Glucose uptake via a symporter
Glycolysis
Fermentation (illustrate lactic and ethanolic fermentation)
Krebs cycle
Mitochondrial electron transport
ATP/ADP transporter in the mitochondrial inner membrane
Light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis
Calvin cycle
Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate translocation to the cytosol in exchange for phosphate and entry into glycolysis
Transcription
Translation (free and rough ER)
Protein glycosylation and modification in the secretory pathway
Vesicle transport
and anything else you would like to illustrate as long as it doesn't clutter the poster too much!

Label all of the processes and organelles with large lettering, and the complexes, enzymes and relevant intermediates with smaller lettering. Please do not attach anyting else to your poster. Your poster may become too cluttered if you include too many intermediates and labels, but it will lose value if you don't include enough - use your own judgement. Chemical structures are not necessary. I encourage you to consult any of the web sites linked in the previous assignments, or the textbook.

Pay special attention in designing the poster so as to integrate the processes. For example, when NAD⁺ and NADH shuttle between the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain in mitochondria, make that fact visually obvious.

Your poster will be graded on completeness, accuracy, and artistry. Not everyone is an artist, but to be noticed your poster must be clear, neat, and colorful. Also, please do not try to make your poster look like someone else's poster in the class - the overall effect of displaying several posters will be better if all of them are different. Be sure to put your names on the back of the poster. Good luck and have fun!