BIOLOGY 1110

GENERAL BIOLOGY I

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A comprehensive course emphasizing cellular structure, function and metabolism; molecular form, function of life; reproductive and genetic patterns.  Taxonomy is introduced and applied to a taxonomic and morphologic survey of Monera, Protista, and Fungi Kingdoms.  (This course is designed for the biology major/minor and satisfies the science requirement in pre-dentistry, engineering, pre-medical technology, pre-medicine, pre-nursing, or pre-pharmacy curricula.)  PREREQUISITE:  High school Biology or BIO 100 or BIOL 1030; high school Chemistry or CHE 090 or CHEM 1030; an acceptable placement score or DSR 088 or DSPR 0800; an acceptable placement score or DSE 087 or DSPE 0800.  Three lecture, three laboratory hours per week.

 

INSTRUCTOR:         

Robert S. Carter, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Biology and Chair, Department of Science

            Office: Wallace 101B -- Please call or email to schedule an appointment.                

            Voicemail: 615.230.3748

            Math & Science Office:  615.230.3261 

            Email: rcarter via MyVolstate Online

 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

·                     Biology, 8th Ed., by Campbell, Reese, and Mitchell

·                     A Photographic Atlas for the Biology Laboratory, 5th Ed., by Van De Graaff et al

·                     Biology 1110 Laboratory Exercises, by Nancy G. Morris; Available on the VSCC Biology Homepage

        

GENERAL EDUCATION GOAL: The general education goal of this course is to provide scientific information and instruction in the thought processes involved in the scientific method of inquiry.

 

GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOME:

Successful completion indicates a foundation of knowledge and experience suitable for further coursework in biological fields and pre-medical professional paths.

 

The general education goal of this course is to provide scientific information and instruction in the thought processes involved in the scientific method of inquiry.

 

By successfully completing this course, you will demonstrate:

1.     acceptable mastery of designated scientific facts, concepts, and principles;

2.     an understanding of the scientific method of inquiry; and

3.     practice in the application of the scientific method. 

 

OUTCOME STATEMENTS:

This course will provide opportunities in problem solving; critical skills necessary for assessing and evaluating values; and practicing effective communication skills in both receiving and giving information.

 

Upon completion of this course the student will have demonstrated the ability to:

 

1.             Outline the scientific method.  Demonstrate application of this methodology in problem solving and in the laboratory.

2.             Briefly describe unifying themes that pervade the science of biology.

3.             Diagram the hierarchy of structural levels in biology.

4.             Explain how the properties of life emerge from complex organization.

5.             Explain what is meant by "form follows function".

6.             List the three domains and five kingdoms of life.

7.             Distinguish between inductive and deductive reasoning.

8.             Review vocabulary regarding basic chemistry:

 

matter

mass

element           

trace element

compound

atom

proton

neutron

electron

atomic number

mass number

isotope

radioactive

half-life

energy

potential energy

electron shell

orbital

ionic bond

ion

cation

anion

hydrogen bond

valence electrons

covalent bond

molecule

electronegativity

 

10.          State eight elements essential to life that make up most of living matter.

11.          Describe the structure of an atom.

12.          Explain how electron configuration influences the chemical behavior of an atom.

13.          Distinguish between nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, and ionic bonds.

14.          Explain why the noble gases are so unreactive.

15.          Describe the formation of a hydrogen bond and explain how it differs from a covalent or ionic bond.

16.          Describe the structure and geometry of a water molecule, and explain what properties emerge as a result of this structure.

17.          Explain the relationship between the polar nature of water and its ability to form hydrogen bonds.

18.          Explain how the polarity of water makes it a versatile solvent.

19.          Explain the basis for the pH scale.

20.          Explain how acids and bases directly or indirectly affect the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.

21.          Explain how carbon's electron configuration determines the kinds and number of bonds carbon will form.

22.          Distinguish between organic and inorganic compounds.

23.          List 7 major organic compound functional groups, their names, and their general chemical properties.

24.          List four groups of organic compounds and describe their function in living systems.

25.          Describe how covalent linkages are formed and broken in organic polymers.

26.          Explain the general structure and chemical properties of carbohydrates.

27.          Explain the naming of carbohydrates as to arrangements of carbons and functional groups.

28.          Explain the general structure, chemical properties and functions of lipids.

29.          Explain the general properties of proteins.

30.          Explain the structure and chemical properties of amino acids.

31.          Describe how proteins are formed and the levels of structure they may possess.

32.          Distinguish between polypeptide and protein.

33.          List several functional types of proteins including examples of each.

34.          Explain the structure, functioning, regulation, inhibition, and naming of enzymes giving examples.

35.          Explain the general structure and function of nucleotides and nucleic acids.

36.          Define the terms polynucleotide, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

37.          Explain and illustrate the general structure of the DNA molecule.

38.          Explain how RNA differs from DNA.

 

39.          Describe the function of enzymes in biological systems and their effects on the rates and energetics of chemical reactions.

40.          Explain the relationship between enzyme structure and enzyme specificity.

41.          Explain the induced fit model of enzyme function.

42.          Explain how enzyme activity can be regulated or controlled by environmental conditions, cofactors, enzyme inhibitors and allosteric regulators.

43.          Define and use the following terms properly:  

 

polymer

starch

denaturation

monomer

cellulose

lipid

macromolecule

amino acid

glycerol

hydrolysis

peptide bond

triglyceride

carbohydrate

polypeptide

steriod

monosaccharide

protein conformation

nucleic acid

Disaccharide

DNA

nucleotide

trisaccharide

RNA

pyrimidine

polysaccharide

primary structure

purine

glycogen

secondary structure

nitrogenous base

pentose

tertiary structure

activation energy

hexose

disulfide bridge

 

 

44.          Diagram and explain the energy cycle.

45.          Give a general overview of the anabolic and catabolic activities involved in metabolism.

46.          Distinguish between kinetic and potential energy.

47.          Distinguish between endergonic and exergonic reactions.

48.          Describe the function of ATP in the cell.

49.          List the three components of ATP and identify the major class of macromolecule to which each belongs.

50.          Explain how nucleotides function as energy carriers and as coenzymes giving examples of compounds that accomplish these functions.

51.          Explain the role of catabolic and anabolic pathways in the energy exchanges of cellular metabolism.

 

END OF EXAM 1 OUTCOME STATEMENTS

 

52.          Explain the terms refractive index, resolution, and magnification in terms of microscope usage.

53.          Explain how a light microscope functions and its resolution problems.

54.          Explain, in reference to light microscopy, the terms: monocular, binocular, oil immersion, and phase contrast.

55.          Explain the functioning of transmission and scanning electron microscopes and their resolving ability.

56.          Explain the fluid mosaic model of membrane structure and explain how membrane fluidity is influenced by membrane composition.

57.          Describe factors that affect selective permeability of membranes.

58.          Describe techniques used to study cell structure and function.

59.          Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

60.          Describe the structure and function of the nucleus and cytoplasm.

61.          List the compartments of the endomembrane system, describe their structures and functions and summarize the relationships among them.

62.          Describe the types of vacuoles and how their functions differ.

63.          Explain the role of peroxisomes in eukaryotic cells.

64.          Distinguish between plastids:  amyloplast, chromoplast, and chloroplast.

65.          Describe the structure, monomers. and functions of microtubuies, microfilaments and intermediate filaments.

66.          Explain how the ultrastructure of cilia and flagella relates to their function.

67.          Describe the composition and function of plant walls.

68.          Describe the structure and function of intercellular junctions found in plant and animal cells.

69.          Explain the structure and function of the middle lamella, plasmodesmata, hyaluronic acid, desmosomes, tight junctions, and gap junctions.

70.          Distinguish between the terms protoplasm and cytoplasm.

71.          Describe the structure and function of the following cell organelles:

 

golgi bodies

ribosomes

golgi bodies

thylakoid

nucleolus

thylakoid

cilia

plastids

cilia

microtubles

mitochondrion

vacuoles

tubulin

plastids

 microfilaments

peroxisomes

basal body

aster rays

cilia

lysosome

ribosomes

centriole

vacuoles

stroma

nucleus

nucleolus

tubulin