bio1001_syllabusBB_sp2015

Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Department of Biology

Bio 1001 - General Biology 1

Spring 2015

Systems, ecological and evolutionary biology l

Topics Covered

Systems, ecological and evolutionary biology. Integration of plant and animal form and function with biological concepts and theories of evolution, genetics, development, homeostasis and ecology-biodiversity.

Textbook and Lab Manual

Textbook: ; Pearson Benjamin Cummings, publishers Laboratory manual:Benjamin Cummings, publishers

Making sense of diversity

A. Darwinian Evolution (Lecture periods 1 and 2)-“The one ring that rules them all” Goal: To enumerate and describe the diversity of, and inter-relationships among life forms. Introduction to biological diversity within the framework of evolution. Topics to be covered:

-Why evolution matters.

-Darwinian revolution -Genetic variation makes evolution possible

-Natural selection leads to adaptive radiation

-Speciation

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the impact Darwinian Theory has had on understanding the species concept and the inter-relationships between diverse life

forms.

2. Analyze and apply Darwinian Theory to modern biological

experimentation.

3. Identify factors that contribute to speciation.

4. explain the role evolution plays in modern science, scientific thought, and medicine.

B. Connecting evolution and heredity:

1. Genetics (lecture periods 3-5)

Goal: To describe, explain, and analyze the physical basis and principles

underlying the transmission of genes and traits from one generation

to the next.

Topics to be covered:

-Somatic cell division and the production of gametes.

-Genotypes and phenotypes

Learning Objectives:

1. Define the concepts of genes and alleles.

2. Delineate, on the chromosome and gene level, the process of

meiosis.

3. Demonstrate that gamete formation gives rise to haploid cells.

4. Describe and apply the Mendelian principles of segregation of alleles

and independent assortment.

5. Demonstrate and apply the principles of inheritance of sex-

chromosome linked genes.

6. Define and apply the synthesis of Darwinian evolution and Mendelian

genetics.

2. The synthesis- combining evolution with genetics (lectures 6 - 7)

Midterm 1

C. Phylogeny and the tree of life (Lecture periods 7 - 8)

Goal: understand how to connect life forms

Topics to be covered:

-Determining phylogeny

Learning Objectives

1. Describe how phylogenies and evolutionary relationships are connected

D. Ontogeny and phylogeny . (lecture periods 9 – 10)

Goal: To describe the processes involved, and regulation of, vertebrate and invertebrate development.

Topics to be covered:

-there is no evolution without reproduction.

-Complex multicellular organisms from single cells.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe, compare, contrast and integrate the process of gamete formation in diverse organisms.

2. Describe compare, contrast and integrate zygote formation in diverse organisms.

3. Compare and contrast the process of germ layer formation in acoelomates and coelomates and describe the evolution of deuterostomes and protostomes.

4. Delineate the processes of organogenesis in basal and derived

organisms and to analyze the commonality of the above process in diverse organisms.

5. Analyze and explain the above processes in light of stem cell formation and applications of stem cell research.

How do things work?

Metabolism and Homeostasis (Lectures 10 & 11)

Goal: To define homeostasis within the context of biology and describe the important function enzymes have in maintaining cellular metabolism.

Topics to be covered:

-Metabolic enzymes are proteins

Chapter 8 (An Introduction to Metabolism)

-Animal form and function

Chapter 40 (Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function)

Systems Biology I (lecture 12 – 16)

Goal: To understand that homeostasis requires the digestion and absorption of

nutrients and their distribution throughout the body, as well as the production of waste products that must be removed from the body. To describe and delineate how diverse organisms perform these functions.

Topics to be covered:

-Systems to distribute nutrients and gases throughout the body.

-Water balance and waste removal in animals.

Learning Objectives

2. Define the concepts of autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms and be

able to discuss the validity of such classifications.

3. Delineate and differentiate how and why diverse heterotrophic

organisms digest and absorb nutrients.

4. Delineate what specialized anatomical structures are necessary for the

distribution of nutrients, gases and waste in organisms with complex body

plans.

5. Describe how the function of different digestive tissues and organs are

regulated to produce controlled digestion.

6. Define and apply the concepts of hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic

fluids.

7. Delineate the mechanisms by which homeostatic levels of salt and

water are maintained in cells and organisms.

8. Describe how specific organs and organ systems of animals with

complex body plans are used to maintain homeostatic levels of salts and

water.

9. Differentiate between nutrients and waste products.

10. Describe the relationship of nutrients and waste between diverse

organisms.

11. Describe how specific tissues and organ systems are used to remove

metabolic waste produces from the body.

Midterm exam 2

Systems Biology II (lecture 18 – 24)

Goal: To understand that organisms respond to their internal and external

environments through nervous and chemical response systems.

Topics to be covered:

-Plant respnse systems

-Animal respones to signaling molecules

-Animal responses to neuronal signaling

Chapter 48 (Neurons, Synapses and Signalling)

-Animal responses to sensory input

Ecology (Lecture periods 25 - 28)

Goal: To understand how organisms are organized into populations, communities and ecosystems and how these levels evolve and interact.

Topics to be covered:

-Population biology

-Community interactions and their influences on species diversity

Learning Objectives

1. Define biotic and abiotic systems.

2. Delineate the interactions between biotic and abiotic systems.

3. Define the concept of populations and communities.

4. Describe how different populations interact in ecosystems.

5. Synthesize the principle of population and genetics into the field of population genetics.

6. Define interactions that influence species that comprise a community.

7. Describe features that influence community structures including

diversity, trophic structure, species diversity, biogeographic features and

pathogens.

Learning Objectives

1. Define the concept of hormones and compare and contrast different categories of hormones.

2. Delineate how hormones coordinate the response of an organism to internal and external stimuli.

3. Delineate the anatomy of neurons and differentiate how axons differ from dendrites in form and function.

4. Delineate how information is transmitted along the neuron and how information is transmitted between adjacent neurons.

5. Define the difference between neurons and nerves.

6. Compare and contrast the functional anatomy of nervous systems from diverse organisms.

7. Define and delineate a reflex arc.

8. Enumerate the differences between conscious nervous activity and a reflex arc.

Outcomes assessment

Course grading

The final course grade will be based upon students’ performance in lecture exams and lab.

Lecture: 50%

-Lecture exams (4): 40%

-Online homework assignments: 10%

-Lecture exams

-Three midterm exams and a final exam will be given on the dates to be determined. The exams will assess your ability to retain and recall the material covered in lecture as well as your ability to integrate and extrapolate the material covered by solving problems. -Online homework assignments will be assigned throughout the semester. No late assignments will be accepted.

Lab: 50%

-Quizzes (4): 3.5% each -Cumulative Practical: 15%

-Report (2): 6% (3% each) -Participation: 5%

-Homework 4%

-Final Presentation 6%

-Laboratory exams

In addition to regular laboratory quizzes a cumulative lab practical given in week 14 and a group research presentation will constitute you lab final lab grade. Your laboratory instructor will provide you with more information.

Students arriving late will lose 1 point from the their final laboratory grade. Arriving 15 or more minutes after the start of lab will be considered an absence (see below for attendance policies).

Make-up exams and quizzes: If you miss one lecture exam you will take a cumulative final which will count for 20% of your lecture grade. Failure to take 2 exams and/or quizzes constitutes an F for the course.