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This course examines fundamental aspects of life at the level of cells and molecules. Major themes addressed in the course include 1) the nature of biologically important molecules and how that relates to the structural organization of cells; 2) the cellular mechanisms of heredity and reproduction; 3) mechanisms by which cell functions are regulated; and 4) the central pathways of metabolic energy conversions. Throughout the course, strong emphasis will be placed upon the relationship between complexity of function and complexity of structure, as well as upon the importance of energy in any process having complex outcomes.
Although many topics listed in this syllabus, and even perhaps the textbook that we use, may seem familiar to you from your high school courses, you are expected to move meaningfully beyond your high school understanding of these topics. In most cases, we will begin each topic more or less where a good high school course should have left off. To the extent that overlap and repetition may be helpful, you should expect quite often to find those things assigned to you as independent reading.
Co-enrollment in Introductory Biology Laboratory (BIO-131) is required for participation in BIO-130.
| Section I | Cell Structure and Function | |
| Topic 1 | Energy, Structural Complexity, and Life | |
| Topic 2 | Basic Chemistry: The Power of Weak | |
| Topic 3 | Organic Molecules | |
| Topic 4 | Protein Structure and Function | |
| Topic 5 | Enzymes and Chemical Reactions | |
| Topic 6 | Cell Structure, Secretion, and Motility | |
| Section II | Molecular Biology | |
| Topic 7 | The Cell Division Cycle | |
| Topic 8 | DNA Structure, Replication, and Repair | |
| Topic 9 | Gene Transcription | |
| Topic 10 | Protein Translation | |
| Topic 11 | Regulation of Gene Expression | |
| Topic 12 | Research Methods in Molecular Biology | |
| Section III | Mendelian Genetics | |
| Topic 13 | Meiosis and the Sexual Life Cycle | |
| Topic 14 | Mendel's Laws of Inheritance | |
| Topic 15 | Beyond Mendel: Interactions Between Alleles at a Single Locus | |
| Topic 16 | More Patterns of Inheritance Beyond What Mendel Saw | |
| Topic 17 | The Chromosomal Basis for Inheritance | |
| Section IV | Metabolism | |
| Topic 18 | Cell Membranes and Membrane Transport | |
| Topic 19 | Cell Communication | |
| Topic 20 | The Respiratory Electron Transport System | |
| Topic 21 | Glycolysis and the Krebs Cycle | |
| Topic 22 | Photosynthetic Light Reactions | |
| Topic 22 | The Calvin Cycle |