This Biology course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of essential concepts found in first-year college or high school biology. The curriculum encompasses:
By the end of the course, students will gain a solid foundation in biological sciences and the ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
This module introduces the key concepts of evolution, emphasizing the importance of variation within populations and the mechanisms of natural selection. Students will learn:
Understanding these principles lays the groundwork for further exploration of biological diversity and species development.
This module presents arguments for intelligent design in contrast to evolutionary theory. Students will critically evaluate:
The goal is to foster analytical thinking and an understanding of differing perspectives in biological science.
This module clarifies common misconceptions about evolution and intelligent design. It aims to:
Through this module, students will gain confidence in discussing evolutionary concepts and their implications.
This module focuses on the Owl Butterfly, illustrating how natural selection may have influenced its distinctive wing patterns. Students will explore:
Understanding these concepts will help students appreciate the complexity of evolutionary adaptations.
This module provides an introduction to DNA, the molecule of life. Students will learn about:
By the end of this module, students will understand the fundamental importance of DNA in biology.
This module explores how variation can be introduced into a species through several mechanisms. Topics covered include:
Students will appreciate the significance of genetic variation for evolution and adaptation.
This module delves into the vocabulary and structure of DNA, focusing on key terms such as:
Students will learn how these components work together to ensure the proper functioning of cells.
This module provides an overview of mitosis and meiosis, two critical processes in cell division and reproduction. Key topics include:
Students will gain insight into how these processes contribute to genetic continuity and variation.
This module focuses on the phases of mitosis, detailing each step in the process of cell division. Students will learn about:
Comprehending mitosis is essential for understanding cellular reproduction and growth.
This module details meiosis, the specialized process of cell division that produces gametes. Key topics include:
Students will understand how meiosis is fundamental to sexual reproduction and genetic variation.
This module provides an overview of embryonic development, specifically from zygote to embryo. Topics covered include:
Students will appreciate the complexity of development and the potential applications of stem cell research.
This module covers principles of heredity and classical genetics. Students will learn about:
Understanding these concepts is crucial for studying inheritance patterns and genetic variation.
This module introduces the Punnett Square, a tool for predicting genetic outcomes from dihybrid crosses. Topics include:
Students will learn to analyze genetic crosses and interpret inheritance patterns effectively.
This module introduces the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, a principle in population genetics. Students will learn about:
Understanding this equilibrium is essential for studying evolutionary processes in populations.
This module focuses on sex-linked traits and the chromosomal basis of gender. Key topics include:
Understanding sex-linked traits is vital for grasping complex inheritance scenarios.
This module introduces bacteria, exploring their characteristics, structure, and ecological roles. Topics include:
Students will appreciate the diversity and significance of bacteria in both health and disease.
This module provides an overview of viruses, their structure, and how they infect host cells. Students will learn about:
Understanding viruses is essential for grasping their role in infectious diseases and public health.
This module introduces adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell. Key concepts include:
Students will understand how ATP facilitates energy transfer within biological systems.
This module covers the process of cellular respiration, detailing how cells convert glucose into energy. Key topics include:
Understanding cellular respiration is crucial for comprehending how organisms harness energy from food.
This module provides an overview of oxidation and reduction reactions in biological contexts. Students will explore:
Understanding these concepts is essential for grasping how cells generate and utilize energy.
This module focuses on the role of oxidation and reduction in cellular respiration, reconciling biological and chemical definitions. Key topics include:
Students will appreciate the interconnected nature of these processes in energy metabolism.
This module provides an overview of glycolysis, the first step in cellular respiration. Students will learn about:
Understanding glycolysis is crucial for comprehending how cells extract energy from glucose.
This module covers the Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle. Key concepts include:
Students will understand how the Krebs cycle integrates with other metabolic pathways.
This module provides an overview of the electron transport chain, a critical component of cellular respiration. Key topics include:
Understanding the electron transport chain is essential for grasping how cells generate ATP efficiently.
This module focuses on oxidative phosphorylation and chemiosmosis, detailing how ATP is generated in mitochondria. Students will learn:
Understanding these processes is vital for comprehending cellular energy metabolism.
This module provides an overview of photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Key topics include:
Understanding photosynthesis is essential for grasping the foundations of energy flow in ecosystems.
This module delves into the details of the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. Students will learn about:
Understanding these processes is critical for appreciating how plants harness solar energy.
This module covers the Calvin Cycle, also known as the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis. Key topics include:
Students will appreciate how the Calvin Cycle integrates with the light-dependent reactions to complete photosynthesis.
This module continues the discussion on the Calvin Cycle, focusing on photorespiration and its implications. Key topics include:
Students will learn how photorespiration influences plant growth and productivity.
This module introduces C-4 photosynthesis, a process some plants use to minimize photorespiration. Key topics include:
Students will understand how C-4 photosynthesis allows plants to thrive in hot and dry conditions.
This module explores CAM plants, which have adapted to fix carbon at night to reduce water loss. Topics include:
Students will appreciate the diversity of plant adaptations to environmental challenges.
This module focuses on the structure and function of cell parts. Students will learn about:
Understanding cell structures is fundamental to the study of biology.
This module covers the principles of diffusion and osmosis, two essential processes in cellular function. Students will explore:
Understanding diffusion and osmosis is crucial for grasping how substances move in and out of cells.
This module introduces the pulmonary system, including the anatomy and function of the lungs. Key topics include:
Students will gain a solid understanding of respiratory anatomy and physiology.
This module focuses on the role of red blood cells in oxygen uptake by hemoglobin. Key concepts include:
Students will understand how red blood cells contribute to respiration and overall physiology.
This module provides an introduction to the circulatory system and the heart's anatomy. Key topics include:
Students will gain a foundational understanding of cardiovascular physiology.
This module focuses on hemoglobin and its role in the circulatory system. Students will learn about:
Understanding hemoglobin's function is essential for grasping respiratory physiology.
This module introduces the neuron and its anatomical features. Key aspects include:
Students will appreciate the complexity of neuronal structure and its relevance to physiology.
This module focuses on the sodium-potassium pump, a crucial mechanism for maintaining membrane potential. Key topics include:
Understanding this pump is essential for grasping cellular excitability and function.
This module discusses electronic and action potentials, particularly in neurons. Key concepts include:
Students will learn how action potentials are fundamental to nervous system function.
This module focuses on saltatory conduction in neurons, a mechanism that enhances signal transmission. Topics covered include:
Students will appreciate how saltatory conduction optimizes neuronal communication.
This module discusses neuronal synapsis, focusing on chemical signaling between neurons. Key concepts include:
Understanding synaptic communication is crucial for grasping how neurons interact within the nervous system.
This module introduces myosin and actin, critical proteins involved in muscle contraction. Key topics include:
Students will understand the molecular basis of muscle movement.
This module focuses on tropomyosin and troponin, proteins that regulate muscle contraction. Key concepts include:
Students will appreciate the complexity of muscle contraction regulation.
This module covers the role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells, particularly in calcium homeostasis. Key topics include:
Students will understand how the sarcoplasmic reticulum contributes to muscle physiology.
This module provides an overview of muscle cell structure, focusing on the components that facilitate contraction. Key aspects include:
Students will appreciate how muscle cell structure supports its function.
This module discusses the role of phagocytes in innate immunity, including their types and functions. Key topics include:
Students will understand the importance of phagocytes in the immune system's first line of defense.
This module provides an overview of innate and adaptive immune responses, highlighting their differences and interactions. Key topics include:
Students will gain insight into the complexity of the immune system.
This module focuses on B cells (B lymphocytes) and their activation processes. Students will learn about:
Understanding B cell function is crucial for grasping humoral immunity.
This module discusses professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and their role in activating T cells. Key concepts include:
Students will understand how APCs facilitate immune responses and T cell activation.
This module focuses on helper T cells and their role in activating B cells. Key topics include:
Students will appreciate the critical role of helper T cells in the adaptive immune system.
This module discusses cytotoxic T cells and how they are activated by MHC-I/antigen complexes. Key concepts include:
Understanding cytotoxic T cell function is vital for comprehending how the body defends against infections.
This module provides a review of B cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells, summarizing their roles in the immune system. Key topics include:
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the adaptive immune system.
This module covers the inflammatory response, detailing the body's reaction to injury or infection. Key topics include:
Students will understand how the inflammatory response protects the body and facilitates healing.
This module provides an overview of kidney function, focusing on how nephrons filter blood. Key concepts include:
Students will gain insight into how kidneys contribute to overall health and fluid balance.
This module covers secondary active transport in the nephron, detailing how substances are reabsorbed. Key topics include:
Students will appreciate the complexity of kidney transport mechanisms.
This module introduces cancer as a consequence of broken DNA replication. Key topics include:
Students will understand the molecular basis of cancer and its impact on health.