BIO 111

BIO 111 INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY

Text Book: Inquiry into Life by Sylvia Mader, Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Chicago

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to the fundamental principles of life processes of organisms and virus including chemical foundation of their cells, cellular structures, functions, metabolism, and divisions. Introduction to genetics and DNA science and technology, evolution as well as biodiversity.

COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES:
The Goals of this course are to provide students with challenging learning experiences which explore varied responses to the human condition, develop the skill to facilitate analytical inquiry, promote global awareness, encourage social consciousness, and to foster creativity skills that are essential for professional competencies in the student's chosen career.

The objectives of this course are for students to understand and appreciate:

The use of scientific method in observation and analysis of living organisms and their environment.
The use of classification skills in ordering and sequencing the information in nature.
The value of experience in oral and written communication. The student will have opportunities to describe biological processes and reactions and explain meaningful arrangements of biological information.
The value of experience and skills in relating biological theory to real life situation and comparing human activities that affect the natural environment consciousness and to foster creativity skills that are essential for professional competencies in the student's chosen career.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
At the completion of this course, students will acquire basic foundations of biology. They should be familiar with the following:

The scientific method
The chemical basis of cells, cellular structure, function, metabolism and division
The chromosomes, genes and DNA technology
The evolutionary process
Biological diversity
Ecology and ecosystem

LECTURE TOPIC
1. Introduction, Characteristics of life, The process of science

2. The chemistry of life, Elements, atoms, isotopes, molecules and compounds, Bonds between atoms: ionic, covalent and hydrogen bonds

3. Compound in the cell: Inorganic: water, acids, bases, salts and buffers Organic: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids

4. Cell structure and function, Nature of cells: cell size and shape, cell theory

5. Cell organelles and functions, Cell membrane: composition, structure and function, Movement of molecules across membranes

6. Metabolism, Energy and enzymes, Energy- acquiring pathways: photosynthesis

7. Energy releasing pathways: Cellular respiration, Anaerobic routes: glycolysis and fermentation, Aerobic respiration: pyruvate conversion, Krebs cycle, Electron transport phosphorylation

8. Cell division, Cell cycle and Mitosis, Its importance, Meiosis and its significance, Mitosis and meiosis compared

9. Observable patterns of inheritance, Mendel and his principles of inheritance, Chromosomes and human genetics Autosomes and sex chromosomes Human genetics

10. DNA Science and Technology, DNA structure and replication

11. Gene Expression: transcription and translation, Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology

12. Origin and evolution of Life, Origin life on earth

13. Evidence of evolution, Process of Evolution, Speciation

14. Viruses: characteristics, importance including role in cancer

15. Diversity of life, Kingdoms of living things- characteristics and importance, Kingdom Monera: Archaebacteria and Eubacteria- Prokaryotes, Kingdom Protista- Protozoa and Algae, Kingdom Fungi- Fungi

16. Kingdom Plantae- Aquatic multicellular algae and land plants, Kingdom Animalia: Animals

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books: Campbell, N.A. 1998. Biology (5th ed.), The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company, Inc., California.
Gould, J.L. and Keton, W. T. 1996. Biological Science (sixth edition), W.W. Norton & Company. New York.

Audio-Visual Materials:
Atoms and Molecules: Building Blocks of Matter. Science and Mankind, Inc. DNA, the Genetic Code. Prentice- Hall Media Inside the Cell: Microstructures, Mechanism and Molecules. Science and Mankind, Inc. Respiration: Energy of Life. Science and Mankind, Inc. The Chemistry of Carbohydrates and Lipids. Biology Media The Chemistry of Proteins. Biology Media

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