(Cell Structure)
Cell surface area versus volume, The science of cytology, Resolution in microscopy, The Cell Theory,
Cell membranes, Endoplasmic reticulum, Cancer: A disease of cells, Mitochondria, Chloroplasts, Golgi bodies,
Lysosomes, Vacuoles, Ribosomes, Cell walls, Microtubules and microfilaments, Laboratory Exercise 2: Cells.
(Getting Things Into and Out Of The Cells)
Diffusion, Osmosis: A special case of diffusion,
Osmotic versus hydrostatic pressures, Facilitated diffusion, Active transport, Membrane structure,
Phagocytosis and pinocytosis, Exocytosis, Laboratory Exercise 3: Diffusion.
(Mitotic Cell Division)
Function of mitosis, Interphase, Centrioles, Prophase,
The spindle apparatus, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase,
Cytokinesis: cell furrows and cell plates, Plant versus animal cell mitosis, Laboratory Exercise 4: Mitosis.
(Atomic and Molecular Structure)
The common elements in biological molecules, Structure of the atom, Formation of covalent bonds, Structural diagrams of molecules, Important radicals, Biological oxidation and reduction.
(Carbohydrates and Lipids)
Characteristics of carbohydrates, Structure of monosaccharides, Formation of starch and cellulose: dehydration synthesis, Hydrolysis of carbohydrates,
Characteristics of lipids, Structure of glycerol and fatty aids, Formation of fat molecules, Hydrolysis of fats, Structure of phospholipids, Function of lipids.
(Proteins and Nucleic Acids)
Structure of amino acids, Formation of protein molecules: the peptide bond, Primary, secondary, and tertiary structure, Hydrolysis of proteins, The nature of enzymes, Functions of proteins, Structure of nucleotides, DNA and RNA, Laboratory Exercise 5: Molecular structures.
(Photosynthesis)
The reduction of carbon, Chlorophyll and light, Fine structure of the chloroplast, The light-dependent reactions, The role of NADP, Structure of ATP, The light-independent reactions, Making sugar, Making other organics, Laboratory Exercise 6: Photosynthesis.
(Cellular Respiration)
The oxidation of carbon, Fine structure of the mitochondrion, Glycolysis, Making ATP, Reducing NAD+,
Alcohol and lactic acid fermentation, Krebs Cycle,
Electron transport system, The metabolic mill, Brewing alcoholic beverages, Laboratory Exercise 7: Respiration.
(Mendel and Meiosis)
Gregor Mendel's ideas, Meiotic cell division, Meiosis versus mitosis, Human gametogenesis, Fertilization and ploidy change, Linkage of genes.
(Solving Simple Genetics Problems)
Genotype versus phenotype, Dominance versus recessiveness, Incomplete dominance, The one-gene cross,
Using the Punnett square, Sex-linkage, Multiple alleles.
(How Genes Work)
Structure of DNA, Replication of chromosomes, Structure of RNA, Transcription: making messenger RNA, Translation: making protein, Mutations: changes in the DNA, Polygenic inheritance, Laboratory Exercise 8: Meiosis and Nucleic Acids.
(Natural Selection and Adaptation)
Evidence in support of evolution, The nature of fossils,
Charles Darwin's ideas, How natural selection works,
Speciation: creation of new forms, Evolution and creationism, The fit between form and function,
Convergent evolution.
(Energy in the Environment)
The science of ecology, Energy flow in the environment,
Food chains and food webs, Biological magnification,
Shortcutting the food chain, Ecological cycles, The greenhouse effect, Petroleum.
(Strategies of Life in the Environment)
Symbiotic relationships, Niches and habitats, Problems with exotic species, Ecosystems: complex natural units,
St. Paul's rocks: a simple ecosystem, Farming: creating artificial ecosystems, The destruction of natural ecosystems.
(Patterns of Life in the Environment)
Ecological succession, Distribution of major biomes, The treatment of sewage, Adaptation and environmental disruption, Extinction of species.
(Human Heredity)
Environment versus heredity, Inheritance of blood types,
Inheritance of sex, Inheritance of color, Inheritance of recessive traits, Inheritance of dominant traits,
Inheritance of incompletely dominant traits, Chromosomal abnormalities, Genetic counseling, Control of genetic traits, Animal behavior, Laboratory Exercise 9: Human Inheritance.
(Human Evolution)
Development of the first mammals, Structure of primates,
The molecular clock, The fossil record of human development, The Piltdown hoax, The Leakey's in Africa.
(Populations, the Environment, and Humans)
Population growth patterns, The control of population growth, History of human population growth, Overpopulation, Human space needs, The green revolution,
The Sahl famine, Ethics, morals, and survival.
Laboratory Topics: