IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
B.Sc. Examination 2014
This paper is also taken for the relevant examination for the Associateship of the Royal College of
Science
INTEGRATIVE CELL BIOLOGY
Friday 20 June 2014 10.00 - 13.00
FOR SECOND YEAR STUDENTS IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Answer any FOUR questions. Answer each question in a separate book. Parts of a
question carry equal weighting unless otherwise specified.
1. Answer both parts of the question:
Cytosolic calcium ion levels affect signalling pathways within a cell. How do eukaryotic
cells maintain low calcium concentrations in the cytosol? (30%)
Describe how calcium is involved in the activation of CaM-kinase II. (70%)
2. Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to cells expressing the EGF receptor leads to
transcription of the early response gene c-fos. Describe the full sequence of events that
link growth factor binding to target gene transcription.
3. How do potassium channels ensure their selective permeability to potassium ions?
4. How is optogenetics revolutionizing our understanding of the brain?
5. What are induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)? What techniques can you use to
characterise iPSCs and how can iPSCs differ from embryonic stem cells? (80%)
Describe two uses for iPSCs that you find interesting, including a statement about how
these uses depend on the properties of this type of cell. (20%)
6. Discuss what is known and unknown about the development of left-right asymmetry in
animals.
7. Discuss the function and maturation of T cells in the periphery after their exit from the
thymus.
8. Human antibody genes are made up of hundreds of segments but can generate billions
of different antibody proteins. Describe the genetic processes that can contribute to this
high level of diversity.
End of paper
© Imperial College London
B.Sc. Examination 2014
This paper is also taken for the relevant examination for the Associateship of the Royal College of
Science
INTEGRATIVE CELL BIOLOGY
Friday 20 June 2014 10.00 - 13.00
FOR SECOND YEAR STUDENTS IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
Answer any FOUR questions. Answer each question in a separate book. Parts of a
question carry equal weighting unless otherwise specified.
1. Answer both parts of the question:
Cytosolic calcium ion levels affect signalling pathways within a cell. How do eukaryotic
cells maintain low calcium concentrations in the cytosol? (30%)
Describe how calcium is involved in the activation of CaM-kinase II. (70%)
2. Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to cells expressing the EGF receptor leads to
transcription of the early response gene c-fos. Describe the full sequence of events that
link growth factor binding to target gene transcription.
3. How do potassium channels ensure their selective permeability to potassium ions?
4. How is optogenetics revolutionizing our understanding of the brain?
5. What are induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)? What techniques can you use to
characterise iPSCs and how can iPSCs differ from embryonic stem cells? (80%)
Describe two uses for iPSCs that you find interesting, including a statement about how
these uses depend on the properties of this type of cell. (20%)
6. Discuss what is known and unknown about the development of left-right asymmetry in
animals.
7. Discuss the function and maturation of T cells in the periphery after their exit from the
thymus.
8. Human antibody genes are made up of hundreds of segments but can generate billions
of different antibody proteins. Describe the genetic processes that can contribute to this
high level of diversity.
End of paper
© Imperial College London
