Course Outline for Bio 113a

BIO113A COURSE OUTLINE

I. Concepts and Methods in Biology

A. Characteristics of Living organism

B. Levels of Biological Organization

C. Diversity of Life and Evolution

D. Nature of Biological Inquiry

II. Principles of Cellular Life

A. Chemical Foundations for cells

a. Atoms

b. Bonds in Biological Molecules

c. Properties of Water

d. Acids, Bases and Buffers

B. Carbon Compounds in cells

a. Carbohydrates

b. Lipids

c. Protein

d. Nucleotides

C. Cell structure and Function

a. Features of Eukaryotic Cells

1. The Nucleus

2. Endomembrane System

3. Mitochondria

4. Specialized plant organelles

b. Prokaryotic cells

c. Membrane Structure and Function

1. Lipid Bilayer, Fluid Mosaic Model

2. Cell transport

d. Metabolism

e. Photosynthesis

f. Aerobic Respiration

III. Principles of Inheritance

A. Cell Division and Mitosis

B. Meiosis

C. Patterns of Inheritance

D. Human Genetics

E. DNA Structure and Function

F. From DNA to Proteins

G. Controls over genes

H. Recombinant DNA and Genetic Engineering

IV. Principles of Evolution

A. Early Beliefs and Different Theories

B. Speciation

C. Fossils and Other Evidences

D. Origin and Evolution of Life

V. Evolution and Biodiversity

A. Prokaryotes and Viruses

B. Protistans

C. Plants

D. Fungi

E. Animals: The invertebrates

F. Animals: The vertebrates

G. Biodiversity in Perspective

VI. Plant Structure and Function

A. Plant Tissues

B. Plant Body

1. Shoots

2. Leaves

3. Roots

4. Stem

C. Plant Nutrition and Transport

D. Plant Reproduction

E. Plant Growth and Development

VII. Animal Structure and Function

A. Animal Tissues

B. Organs Systems: Overview

C. Integration and Control: Nervous systems

D. Sensory Reception

E. Endocrine Systems

F. Protection, Support, and movement

1. Skin

2. Skeleton

3. Muscles

G. Circulation

H. Immunity

I. Respiration

J. Digestion and Human Nutrition

K. Urinary System

L. Principles of Reproduction and Development

VIII. Ecology and Behavior

A. Population Ecology

B. Social Interactions

C. Community Interactions

D. Ecosystems

E. The Biosphere

F. Perspectives on Humans and the Biosphere