This course is intended for students pursuing careers in Nursing or other Allied Health fields and satisfies the biology prerequisite for A&P 1 (BIOL& 241). Course content includes the following topics: 1) cellular order and organization including cell chemistry, biological molecules, and cell structure and physiology; 2) energetics including enzymes and carbohydrate metabolism; 3) reproduction, growth and development including DNA replication, cell cycle and control, and cell division; 4) cellular regulation including membranes, transport, protein synthesis, gene regulation, cell signaling, and buffer systems. This course does not satisfy the prerequisite for BIOL& 222 or 223. Related investigations take place in a three-hour lab period each week.
Prerequisites
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:
- List and discuss the characteristics of life and levels of organization.
- Explain the three types of bonding.
- Name and describe the structure, functions, and characteristics of the major macromolecules found in living organisms; apply that knowledge to the cell processes below.
- Compare and contrast the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; state the structure and function of all cell structures and organelles.
- Explain how organisms process energy within cells, including the ATP/ADP cycle, enzyme function, and carbohydrate metabolism using the step-by-step events of cellular respiration.
- Explain the reproduction, growth and development of living organisms through heredity of DNA; including details of DNA replication, cell cycle and control, and events of mitosis and meiosis.
- Describe how cells perform regulation, maintain homeostasis, and respond to stimuli including:
- membranes and the various mechanisms for transport,
- details of protein synthesis,
- gene regulation and cell signaling, and
- buffer systems.
- Apply content knowledge of previous learning outcomes during lab exercises.
- Cellular Order and Organization
Characteristics of Life and the Levels of Biological Organization
Atoms, Bonding, and Molecules
Macromolecules: Basics of the Four Classes (Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids): Details of each macromolecule will be taught and applied in related processes below.
Monomers and Polymers
Cell Types, Structures and Functions of Cell Structures and Organelles - Processing Energy
Photosynthesis: very brief
Energy and Enzymes
Carbohydrate Metabolism using Cellular Respiration: Details about Carbohydrates - Reproduction, Growth and Development Through Heredity of DNA
DNA Replication: Details about DNA
Cell Cycle and its Control, Mitosis and Meiosis - Regulation, Maintain Homeostasis, and Respond to Stimuli in Changing Environments
Membranes, Their Components, and Mechanisms of Transport: Details about Lipids
Protein Synthesis (Gene Expression at the Molecular Level): Details about RNA and Proteins
Gene Regulation (lac Operon) and Cell Signaling (Activation, Transduction, and Response)
Buffer Systems