BIOL 110 General Biology I – 3 hours credit – A comprehensive course emphasizing cellular structure, function and metabolism; molecular form, function of life; reproductive and genetic patterns, evolution, animal and plant anatomy. Taxonomy is introduced and applied to a taxonomic and morphologic survey of Monera, Protista, and Fungi Kingdoms.
Grading status: Letter grade.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course the student will have demonstrated the ability to:
- Outline the scientific method. Demonstrate application of this methodology in problem solving and in the laboratory.
- Briefly describe unifying themes that pervade the science of biology.
- Diagram the hierarchy of structural levels in biology.
- Explain how the properties of life emerge from complex organization.
- Explain what is meant by “form follows function”.
- List the three domains and five kingdoms of life.
- Distinguish between inductive and deductive reasoning.
- State eight elements essential to life that make up most of living matter.
- Describe the structure of an atom.
- Explain how electron configuration influences the chemical behavior of an atom.
- Distinguish between non-polar covalent, polar covalent, and ionic bonds.
- Explain why the noble gases are so un-reactive.
- Describe the formation of a hydrogen bond and explain how it differs from a covalent or ionic bond.
- Describe the structure and geometry of a water molecule, and explain what properties emerge as a result of this structure.
- Explain the relationship between the polar nature of water and its ability to form hydrogen bonds.
- Explain how the polarity of water makes it a versatile solvent.
- Explain the basis for the pH scale.
- Explain how acids and bases directly or indirectly affect the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.
- Explain how carbon’s electron configuration determines the kinds and number of bonds carbon will form.
- Distinguish between organic and inorganic compounds.
- List 7 major organic compound functional groups, their names, and their general chemical properties.
- List four groups of organic compounds and describe their function in living systems.
- Describe how covalent linkages are formed and broken in organic polymers.
- Explain the general structure and chemical properties of carbohydrates.
- Explain the naming of carbohydrates as to arrangements of carbons and functional groups.
- Explain the general structure, chemical properties and functions of lipids.
- Explain the general properties of proteins.
- Explain the structure and chemical properties of amino acids.
- Describe how proteins are formed and the levels of structure they may possess.
- Distinguish between polypeptide and protein.
- List several functional types of proteins including examples of each.
- Explain the structure, functioning, regulation, inhibition, and naming of enzymes giving examples.
- Explain the general structure and function of nucleotides and nucleic acids.
- Define the terms polynucleotide, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
- Explain and illustrate the general structure of the DNA molecule.
- Explain how RNA differs from DNA.
- Describe the function of enzymes in biological systems and their effects on the rates and energetics of chemical reactions.
- Explain the relationship between enzyme structure and enzyme specificity.
- Explain the induced fit model of enzyme function.
- Explain how enzyme activity can be regulated or controlled by environmental conditions, cofactors, enzyme inhibitors and allosteric regulators.