BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY (81 hours)

Course Description

Biology is known as the study of living organisms, the Science of Life. The aim of this course is to help students understand and appreciate the diversity of life, the remarkable adaptations of organisms to the environment and their evolutionary and ecological relationships. Through this course, students will have the opportunity to explore and understand the meaning of the basic unit of life, the cell, learn about the structures and processes shared by all living things and gain insight into the molecular functions that make all living organisms, including humans, unique. Biological research contributes to modern society by making our lives healthier and safer. It is very important to underline the basic interconnectedness and the fundamental similarities of all living organisms, two aspects of Biology that have great impact on the daily lives of all of us.

Aim of the Course

The course will focus on the major concepts of biology:

1. ORGANISATION OF LIFE
2. ENERGY OF LIFE

III. GENETICS

1. REPRODUCTION
2. NUTRITION
3. ECOLOGY

VII. COORDINATION & CONTROL

VIII. TRANSPORT & EXCHANGE

Learning Outcomes

A student completing this course will be able to:

• Demonstrate sound understanding of the core concepts of biology, including organisation of life, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and human physiology.
• Gain good understanding of general biological facts and principles.
• Use the scientific method and reasoning to describe, explain and understand biological systems.
• Respond to everyday dilemmas and modern day debates regarding biological, bioethical and health issues, using scientifically acquired knowledge.
• Effectively read, write, speak and understand scientific material.

Syllabus

Organisation of life

• The fundamental similarities of all living things
• The evolution of life on the planet Earth
• The diversity of life and the classification of the organisms (taxonomy)
• Molecular and cellular levels of organisation
• Tissue organisation
• Chemistry needed in Biology (atomic organisation)

Molecular organisation

• Covalent bonds, Ionic bonding, Hydrogen bonds.
• Molecular organization. Inorganic ions.
• Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Polysaccharides.
• Lipids: Fatty acids, triaglycerols, phospholipids, functions of lipids, steroids.
• Proteins: Amino acids.
• Nucleic acids: DNA, RNA and other functional derivatives.

Enzymes

• Structure and function, mechanism of action, properties.
• Enzyme cofactors, control of metabolic pathways.

Cellular organisation

• Prokaryotic cells: structure.
• Eukaryotic cells: structural differences between plant – animal cells.
• Cell structure: Cell membrane, Nucleus, Chloroplast, Mitochondrion, Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, Ribosomes, Lysosomes, Vacuoles, Peroxisomes, Cytoskeleton (Microtubules, Microfilaments, Centrosomes), Cilia, Flagella, Microvilli, Storage granules, Cell wall.
• Movement in and out of cells. Diffusion, Osmosis, Active transport, Phagocytosis, Pinocytosis.

DNA and the genetic code

• The nucleus contains the hereditary material
• The Nature of the genetic material, experiments of Griffith, Avery, McCarty and MacLeod, etc.
• Mutagens, constancy of DNA within a cell.
• The Central Dogma of Biology.

Molecular Biology

• DNA replication.
• The genetic code.
• Protein synthesis (transcription – translation).
• Genetic engineering.

Cell division

• Chromosome structure, number, cell cycle.
• Mitosis – Meiosis, significance, comparison.

Heredity and Genetics

• Monohybrid inheritance – 1^stLaw of Mendel
• Dihybrid inheritance – 2^ndLaw of Mendel. Genes, alleles, representing genetic crosses, test cross.
• Sex determination, linkage, sex linkage.
• Allelic interaction, Gene interaction.

Genetic Variation

• Origins of Variation. Mutations – chromosome changes.
• Causes of mutation. Genetic screening and counselling.

Reproduction 

• Asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction.
• Gametogenesis in mammals
• The Reproductive System
• The menstrual cycle. Female and male sex hormones.

Energy and Organisms 

• Laws of Thermodynamics. Autotrophic nutrition (photosynthesis)
• Leaf adaptations for obtaining light, liquids, gasses, Photosynthetic pigments.
• Mechanism of photosynthesis (light dependent – light independent stages).
• Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis – Principle of limiting factors. 

Cellular respiration

• ATP – importance – uses. Glycolysis – Krebs cycle.
• Anaerobic respiration.
• Comparison of energy yield between aerobic – anaerobic respiration. Alternative respiratory substrates.

Energy and the ecosystem 

• Energy flow, food chains, food webs.
• Ecological pyramids.
• Cycling of nutrients C, N, H₂O

Transport in Animals

• Blood structure and functions, respiratory pigments.
• Blood clotting.
• Defence against disease.
• The immune System – Antibodies – AIDS
• Blood groups.
• The Circulatory System.

Transport in Plants

• Water
• Transpiration
• Simple plant tissues – stomata 

Homeostasis

• Principles
• Temperature control

Muscular Movement and Support

• Muscle tissue
• The skeleton – structure of bones
• Muscle structure and contraction
• The Musculoskeletal System

Heterotrophic Nutrition

• Holozoic nutrition. Diet, principles of digestion – digestive enzymes
• Digestion in humans (mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine).
• The Digestive System

Response and coordination in animals

• Nerve tissue
• The nervous system (central, peripheral, autonomous)
• Transmission of impulses, synapses, chemistry of neurotransmitters, sensory system
• Principles of endocrine control – chemistry of hormones
• Mechanism of hormone action. Endocrine glands (hypothalamus, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas).

Resources and booklist suggestions:

1. Biology, Raven, Johnson, Mason, Losos, Singer, 11^th edition, 2017
2. Campbell Biology, Reece, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky, Jackson, 10^th edition, 2014

Concepts of Biology, Fowler, Roush, Wise, 1^st edition, 2013