Cell Signaling

Tidbit Overview

Course: Introductory Cell Molecular Biology.

Unit title: Cell Signaling – The Original Social Networking.

Class enrollment: 25 – 250 freshman or sophomore

Student experience: Near the end of the term. Within the signal transduction unit

Homework and pre-class assessment to encourage participation: Review cell signaling (notes and previous class content) and turn in written responses to LOC/HOC questions.

• Nose pinched • Chew skittle• Let go of nose • What happens?

Sensing the Rainbow: Demonstration of signal detection and transduction

• Nose pinched • Chew skittle• Let go of nose • What happens?

Sensing the Rainbow: Demonstration of signal detection and transduction

Olfaction detection is based on GPCRs -

Activity and Outcomes

• Activity: Dramatize a signal transduction pathway

• Outcome: The students will be able to model a hypothetical signal transduction pathway to elicit a specific cellular response

What we want you to know and do

• Evaluate the G protein coupled receptor pathway

• Identify key components of cell signaling pathways

• Design a skit to illustrate the mechanics of the pathway

• Predict how the pathway would change under different conditions

Min Activity0-2: Introduction and demonstration2-7: In your NASI group evaluate your returned homework (total 8 groups)7-21: Two groups merge, to plan performance (total 4 groups)21-26: Combine 2 planning groups; perform/critique (total 2 groups)

Timing of Tidbit

5 Min:

In your NASI groups look at your returned homework handout.

Evaluate this piece of work using the following rubric:

13 Min:

•Two groups merge (now 4 groups in total)

•Create dramatization to illustrate pathway

•Suggestion – divide the group into performers and a director

5 Min: Dramatime!

Again pair with another group

Within pair, one group performs, the other critiques (using Rubric provided) the performance

Wild Card 1Beta blocker – examples Inderal or Lopressor

• Blocks the binding site for epinephrine on the beta-receptor

• What is the effect on your signaling pathway?

Wild Card 2: Caffeine

Inhibits the phosphodiesterase that breaks down cAMP.

How does this affect your signaling pathway?

Wild Card 3 - Anthrax

One toxin in Anthrax (EF) - Increases cAMP levels

Another (LF) triggers the degradation of the kinase further downstream

Student Outcomes• Were you able to evaluate and construct a complete

signaling pathway based on other students’ homework?

• Were you able to create an accurate skit that showed you learned the pathway?

• Did you see how altering the pathway affected signal transduction?

• Did acting out this cellular process deepen your understanding of cell biology?

• Did the students achieve the learning objective?–Modeling a hypothetical signal transduction

pathway that elicited a cellular response?

• Make notes in Teacher Diary of the successes and problems with executing the activity.

Professor Outcomes