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General Biology Lecture Schedule using

  • Biology (also available in hardcopy)
    • Publisher: OpenStax College; 1st edition (January 1, 2013)
    • ISBN-10: 1938168097
    • ISBN-13: 978-1938168093
WEEK LECTURES TOPIC
I 1. BASICS
Introduction to the Course
Definition, Characteristics and Hierarchy of Life
Scope of Ecology: habitat, Population, Community, Ecosystem
The Scientific Method
Evolution and Classification
Systematics, taxonomy, phylogeny
2. THE ORIGIN & EVOLUTION OF LIFE

Darwin & Evolution
The Origin of Life
The Geological Time Scale
Cellular History
Kingdoms and Domains

II 3. INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I

Definition, Classification and Properties of Matter
Atomic Structure
The periodic Table
Isotopes
Electrons and Energy
Energy
Chemical Reactions: Exergonic and endergonic
Activation Energy
Oxidation and Reduction

4. INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II

Elements, Compounds, Molecules and Mixtures
Bonds: Weak and Strong

III 5. WATER & pH

Importance and Properties of H2O
Acids, Bases, pH, Buffers

6. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Importance of Carbon
Organic vs. Inorganic Compounds
The Hydrocarbons
Functional Groups
Isomers

IV 7. Examination I (Lectures 1-6 inclusive)
8. MACROMOLECULES I

Monomers and Polymers
Dehydration Synthesis and Hydrolysis
Carbohydrates
Lipids

V 9. MACROMOLECULES II

Proteins
Nucleic Acids
ATP
Enzymes and Metabolic Pathways

10. CELLS
The Cell Theory
Methods of Studying Cells
Cellular Size Limitations
Cell Composition
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Cellular Evolution
Anaerobic and Aerobic Cells; Endosymbiosis; Multicellularity; Viruses, Bacteria and Archaea
VI 11. THE EUKARYOTIC CELL
Eukaryotic Cell Structure and Function
12. MEMBRANES & TRANSPORT
Membrane Structure and Function
Passive Transport Processes
Active Transport Processes
Cell Surface Modifications
VII 13. Examination II (Lectures 8-12 inclusive)
14. ENERGY
Cells and the Flow of Energy
Metabolic Reactions and Energy Transformations
Metabolic Pathways
Oxidation and Reduction
VIII 15. CELLULAR RESPIRATION I
Cellular Respiration (Anaerobic)
Outside the Mitochondria: Glycolysis
Fermentation
16. CELLULAR RESPIRATION II
Cellular Respiration (Aerobic)
Inside the Mitochondria:
The Preparatory Reaction (Hub)
Citric Acid Cycle (TCA)
Electron Transport Chain (ETC)
Metabolic Pool
IX 17. PHOTOSYNTHESIS I
Photosynthetic Organisms
The Process of Photosynthesis
Plant as Solar Energy Converters: Light Reactions
18. PHOTOSYNTHESIS II
Dark Reactions: Calvin Cycle Reactions (Carbon Fixation)
Other Types of Photosynthesis
X 19. ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
The Cell Cycle and Its Control
Mitosis and Cytokinesis
The Cell Cycle and Cancer
Prokaryotic Cell Division
20. SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Halving the Chromosome Number
Genetic Variation
The Phases of Meiosis
Comparison of Meiosis and Mitosis
The Human Life Cycle (Spermatogenesis & Oogenesis)
XI 21. CHROMOSOMES
Changes in Chromosome Number and Structure
22. Examination III (Lectures 14-21 inclusive)
XII 23. GENETICS I
Gregor Mendel
Mendel’s Law
Human Genetics Disorders
24. GENETICS II
Extending the Range of Mendelian Genetics
Multiple Allelic Traits
Incomplete Dominance
Pleiotropy
Polygenic Inheritance
X-Linked Inheritance
Environmental Influences
XIII 25. DNA
The Genetic Material
DNA Structure
DNA Replication
Prokaryotic versus Eukaryotic Replication
26. GENE FUNCTION
The Genetic Code
Transcription
Translation
Structure of the Eukaryotic Chromosome
XIV 27. GENETIC REGULATION
Prokaryotic
Eukaryotic
Regulation Through Mutations
28. BIOTECHNOLOGY & GENOMICS
DNA Cloning
Biotechnology Products
Gene Therapy
Genomics
XV 29. ANIMAL DEVELOPMENT
Early Developmental Stages
Developmental Processes
Human Embryonic and Fetal Development
30. Examination IV (Lectures 23-29 inclusive)