COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a general course which surveys selected topics in Biology and is intended for non-science majors.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the relationship and position of Biology in the field of the natural sciences.
2. Discuss the relationship of basic chemistry to the efficient functioning of the organism.
3. Compare and contrast the structure and function of plant and animal cells.
4. Compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and meiosis and their contribution to the continuation of the individual and the species.
5. Analyse the basic genetic patterns observed in Mendelians genetics.
6. Explain how microorganisms impact one’s life and the environment.
7. Evaluate the potential threat of toxic wastes on plants and animals.
8. Discuss the morphological relationships of some of the groups of organisms to each other and to the marine and terrestrial environment.
9. Evaluate the potential threat of one’s personal habits and activities on biodiversity.
10. Describe the structural and functional relationships of angiosperms and their contribution to the individual and to the continuation of life.
11. Discuss the structural and functional relationships of the human body systems.
12. Evaluate the effects of one’s lifestyle on the maintenance of those systems and the organism as a whole.
COURSE CONTENT
I. Chemistry of Living Organisms
A. Matter
i. General characteristics
ii. Inorganic elements
iii. Atoms
iv. Atomic structure
v. Bonding
vi. Compounds
vii. Buffers
B. Organic compounds in protoplasm
i. Carbohydrates
ii. Lipids
iii. Proteins
iv. Nucleic acids
C. Application: relationship to the individual and internal and external homeostasis.
II. The Cell in Structure and Function
A. Structure
i. Cell (protoplasmic) membrane
ii. Nucleus
iii. Mitochondrion
iv. Endoplasmic reticulum
v. Major structural differences between plant and animal cells
B. Function
i. Function of membrane in transport of substances in and out of the cell
a. Diffusion
b. Osmosis
c. Active transport
ii. Function of major organelles
iii. General characteristics of the cell and living organisms (plants and animals)
iv. Similarities and differences in these functions
C. Application: The relationship of the overall function of the cell to the organism as a whole
III. The Cell in Reproduction: Cellular Division
A. Mitosis
i. Basic process
ii. Importance in growth and development (plant and animal)
B. Meiosis
i. Basic process
ii. Relationship to mitosis
iii. Importance in sexual reproduction
C. Basic Genetics – simple monohybrid cross
i. Albinism
ii. Sickle cell anaemia (lethal genes)
iii. Leukemia
iv. ABO system
v. Rhesus system
vi. Sex inheritance
D. Application: Controlled vs uncontrolled multiplication of cells and diseases (cancers)
IV. Classification
A. Basic introduction to the hierarchy of classification and scientific naming (Binomial system)
B. Kingdoms
i. Animals
a. Invertebrates
b. Vertebrates
ii. Plants – major phyla
C. Special consideration given to spermatophytes
i. Basic structure
ii. Reproduction
D. Application
i. Some common local plants and animals and their economic importance
ii. Pollutants and their impact on plant and animal life
iii. Importance to humans and their survival
iv. Implications of introduced organisms
v. Suggested measures for protection of endemic species
V. Microorganisms
A. General Structure
i. Bacteria
ii. Virus
iii. Fungi (yeast and black mold)
B. Economic Importance – positive and negative
C. Application: Focus on some common local and international diseases
VI. Mammalian Body Systems
A. Transport System
i. Blood
a. Components and their functions
1. Plasma
2. Formed elements
- RBC
- WBC
- Platelets
b. Blood types
c. Immunity
- Active
- Passive
d. Blood clotting
e. Blood transfusion
ii. Blood vessels
a. Arteries
b. Veins
c. Capillaries
d. Relationship
iii. Heart
a. Structure and function
b. Blood circulation
c. Systemic
d. Pulmonary
iv. Application
a. Examination of how diet and lifestyle affects the optimum functioning of circulatory system
b. Disorders
- Hypertension
- Arteriosclerosis
- Heat attack
- Contributing factors
B. Digestive System
i. Types of digestion
a. Mechanical
b. Enzymatic
ii. Alimentary canal and accessory organs
a. Basic structure and function
b. Digestion and absorption
c. Dieting
iii. Nutrients and their functions
a. Brief review of carbohydrates, fats, proteins
b. Role of vitamins (major)
c. Deficiencies
iv. Application: (see # above)
a. Disorders of the alimentary canal
b. Diarrhea
c. Dysentery
d. Constipation
e. Ulcers
f. Appendicitis
C. Respiratory System
i. Structure and function
a. Lungs and associated structures
b. Respiration
ii. External
a. Breathing – inhalation and exhalation
b. Factors affecting rate of breathing
c. Exchange of gases
iii. Cellular
a. Aerobic
b. Anaerobic
c. Muscular fatigue
iv. Respiratory disorders
a. Smoking and its effects
- Cancer
- Emphysema
b. Respiratory infections
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
D. Excretory System and Homeostasis
i. Definitions and excretory substances
ii. Excretory organs – mention major ones
iii. Kidneys – structure and function
iv. Nephron – structure and function
v. Excretion and osmoregulation
vi. Blood sugar levels and diabetes
vii. Diuretic substances, caffeine, beer
viii. Other kidney related topics
a. Dialysis
b. Kidney stones
c. Bladder infection
E. Nervous System
i. Stimuli, responses, receptors and effectors
ii. The central nervous system
a. Brain
b. Spinal cord
iii. Sense organs
a. Eye
b. Ear
c. Basic functional characteristics
d. Diseases and/or defects
iv. Drugs and the nervous system
F. Reproductive System
i. Male reproductive system
a. Basic structure and function
b. Disorders of male reproductive system
ii. Female reproductive system
a. Structure and function
b. Menstrual cycle
c. Fertilization
- Birth and related factors
- Contraceptive
iii. Socially transmitted diseases (STD’s)
a. AIDS
b. Syphilis
c. Gonorrhoea
d. Hepatitis B
e. Genital herpes
ASSESSMENT
Assignments/Projects ……………………. 25%
Mid-Term Examination …………………. 25%
Final Examination ………………………. 50%
TOTAL ………………………………….. 100%
REQUIRED TEXT
Brum, G. D., Karp, G. & McKane, L. (1998). Biology: Exploring Life. New York: John Wiley and Sons. ISBN: 0471544086
SUPPLEMENTARY READING/MATERIAL
Johnson, Delanney and Cole (1997). Essentials of Biology. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Solomon, E. P., & Berg, L. R. (1999). The World of Biology. New York: Saunders College Publishing
SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
WEBSITES
This is a general course which surveys selected topics in Biology and is intended for non-science majors.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the relationship and position of Biology in the field of the natural sciences.
2. Discuss the relationship of basic chemistry to the efficient functioning of the organism.
3. Compare and contrast the structure and function of plant and animal cells.
4. Compare and contrast the processes of mitosis and meiosis and their contribution to the continuation of the individual and the species.
5. Analyse the basic genetic patterns observed in Mendelians genetics.
6. Explain how microorganisms impact one’s life and the environment.
7. Evaluate the potential threat of toxic wastes on plants and animals.
8. Discuss the morphological relationships of some of the groups of organisms to each other and to the marine and terrestrial environment.
9. Evaluate the potential threat of one’s personal habits and activities on biodiversity.
10. Describe the structural and functional relationships of angiosperms and their contribution to the individual and to the continuation of life.
11. Discuss the structural and functional relationships of the human body systems.
12. Evaluate the effects of one’s lifestyle on the maintenance of those systems and the organism as a whole.
COURSE CONTENT
I. Chemistry of Living Organisms
A. Matter
i. General characteristics
ii. Inorganic elements
iii. Atoms
iv. Atomic structure
v. Bonding
vi. Compounds
vii. Buffers
B. Organic compounds in protoplasm
i. Carbohydrates
ii. Lipids
iii. Proteins
iv. Nucleic acids
C. Application: relationship to the individual and internal and external homeostasis.
II. The Cell in Structure and Function
A. Structure
i. Cell (protoplasmic) membrane
ii. Nucleus
iii. Mitochondrion
iv. Endoplasmic reticulum
v. Major structural differences between plant and animal cells
B. Function
i. Function of membrane in transport of substances in and out of the cell
a. Diffusion
b. Osmosis
c. Active transport
ii. Function of major organelles
iii. General characteristics of the cell and living organisms (plants and animals)
iv. Similarities and differences in these functions
C. Application: The relationship of the overall function of the cell to the organism as a whole
III. The Cell in Reproduction: Cellular Division
A. Mitosis
i. Basic process
ii. Importance in growth and development (plant and animal)
B. Meiosis
i. Basic process
ii. Relationship to mitosis
iii. Importance in sexual reproduction
C. Basic Genetics – simple monohybrid cross
i. Albinism
ii. Sickle cell anaemia (lethal genes)
iii. Leukemia
iv. ABO system
v. Rhesus system
vi. Sex inheritance
D. Application: Controlled vs uncontrolled multiplication of cells and diseases (cancers)
IV. Classification
A. Basic introduction to the hierarchy of classification and scientific naming (Binomial system)
B. Kingdoms
i. Animals
a. Invertebrates
b. Vertebrates
ii. Plants – major phyla
C. Special consideration given to spermatophytes
i. Basic structure
ii. Reproduction
D. Application
i. Some common local plants and animals and their economic importance
ii. Pollutants and their impact on plant and animal life
iii. Importance to humans and their survival
iv. Implications of introduced organisms
v. Suggested measures for protection of endemic species
V. Microorganisms
A. General Structure
i. Bacteria
ii. Virus
iii. Fungi (yeast and black mold)
B. Economic Importance – positive and negative
C. Application: Focus on some common local and international diseases
VI. Mammalian Body Systems
A. Transport System
i. Blood
a. Components and their functions
1. Plasma
2. Formed elements
- RBC
- WBC
- Platelets
b. Blood types
c. Immunity
- Active
- Passive
d. Blood clotting
e. Blood transfusion
ii. Blood vessels
a. Arteries
b. Veins
c. Capillaries
d. Relationship
iii. Heart
a. Structure and function
b. Blood circulation
c. Systemic
d. Pulmonary
iv. Application
a. Examination of how diet and lifestyle affects the optimum functioning of circulatory system
b. Disorders
- Hypertension
- Arteriosclerosis
- Heat attack
- Contributing factors
B. Digestive System
i. Types of digestion
a. Mechanical
b. Enzymatic
ii. Alimentary canal and accessory organs
a. Basic structure and function
b. Digestion and absorption
c. Dieting
iii. Nutrients and their functions
a. Brief review of carbohydrates, fats, proteins
b. Role of vitamins (major)
c. Deficiencies
iv. Application: (see # above)
a. Disorders of the alimentary canal
b. Diarrhea
c. Dysentery
d. Constipation
e. Ulcers
f. Appendicitis
C. Respiratory System
i. Structure and function
a. Lungs and associated structures
b. Respiration
ii. External
a. Breathing – inhalation and exhalation
b. Factors affecting rate of breathing
c. Exchange of gases
iii. Cellular
a. Aerobic
b. Anaerobic
c. Muscular fatigue
iv. Respiratory disorders
a. Smoking and its effects
- Cancer
- Emphysema
b. Respiratory infections
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
D. Excretory System and Homeostasis
i. Definitions and excretory substances
ii. Excretory organs – mention major ones
iii. Kidneys – structure and function
iv. Nephron – structure and function
v. Excretion and osmoregulation
vi. Blood sugar levels and diabetes
vii. Diuretic substances, caffeine, beer
viii. Other kidney related topics
a. Dialysis
b. Kidney stones
c. Bladder infection
E. Nervous System
i. Stimuli, responses, receptors and effectors
ii. The central nervous system
a. Brain
b. Spinal cord
iii. Sense organs
a. Eye
b. Ear
c. Basic functional characteristics
d. Diseases and/or defects
iv. Drugs and the nervous system
F. Reproductive System
i. Male reproductive system
a. Basic structure and function
b. Disorders of male reproductive system
ii. Female reproductive system
a. Structure and function
b. Menstrual cycle
c. Fertilization
- Birth and related factors
- Contraceptive
iii. Socially transmitted diseases (STD’s)
a. AIDS
b. Syphilis
c. Gonorrhoea
d. Hepatitis B
e. Genital herpes
ASSESSMENT
Assignments/Projects ……………………. 25%
Mid-Term Examination …………………. 25%
Final Examination ………………………. 50%
TOTAL ………………………………….. 100%
REQUIRED TEXT
Brum, G. D., Karp, G. & McKane, L. (1998). Biology: Exploring Life. New York: John Wiley and Sons. ISBN: 0471544086
SUPPLEMENTARY READING/MATERIAL
Johnson, Delanney and Cole (1997). Essentials of Biology. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Solomon, E. P., & Berg, L. R. (1999). The World of Biology. New York: Saunders College Publishing
SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
WEBSITES
- Teacher: Ancilleno Davis