Biology 112

General Biology I

Spring 2008

 

Course Syllabus

 

Instructor:         Dr. Donald Glassman

Office:              Rm. 10D, Bldg. 4

Phone:              515-964-6237

E-mail:              dlglassman@dmacc.edu

Office Hours:    Monday/Wednesday 9:00-10:00 & 12:15 - 1:15, Friday 9:00-10:00

Text:                 Biology. 7th edition.     Neil A. Campbell.

Lab Manual:     Biology Laboratory Manual    Vodopich/Moore  (Custom edition for DMACC)

 

Course Description: This course is designed for biology/science majors. It is a rigorous introductory course. Its mission is to provide the student with a solid framework for further coursework. Topics of emphasis will include: the chemistry of living things, cells, genetics, evolution, viruses, bacteria and protists.

 

I. Lecture        A tentative lecture schedule is attached. You are responsible for all material in the assigned chapters as well as the material presented in class. If you must miss a lecture it is your responsibility to obtain the notes from a classmate. Attendance and attention in lecture is vital to your success.

 

 

II. Lab You are required to attend each lab. You can receive no points for a lab that you did not attend! A laboratory schedule is attached. You should be adequately prepared for each laboratory period, this includes reading the laboratory exercise before the laboratory period.

 

 

III. Safety       Laboratory safety is of paramount importance. It is essential that you follow proper procedures at all times. No food, drink, tobacco or gum can be permitted in the lab. There is zero tolerance for inappropriate activities in the laboratory.

 

 

IV. Web Site               http://www.dmacc.cc.ia.us/instructors/dlglassman/

 

The pertinent course information is also posted on my faculty web site. This site may be used throughout the semester to post information and assignments. You can also use this site as a link to other science oriented Web sites of interest.

 

 

V.  Grading     There will be four (4) written exams (100 points each) and a comprehensive final (200 points). The laboratory performance will be evaluated by participation, lab reports and quizzes (specifics will be announced). A comprehensive practical will be given (100 points). You must pass both the lecture and laboratory components of the course to pass the course!!

 

Grades will be assigned based on the percentage of total points possible you earn:

 

                        A         90-100

                        B          80-89

                        C         70-79

                        D         60-69

                        F          <60

 

            Tentative Point Totals

Lecture Exams                                                              400

            Final                                                                                         200

            General attendance, attitude, and participation             ~ 25

Laboratory Attendance/Reports/Quizzes/Handouts                  ~140

            Practical                                                                                   100

Total Points                                                                           ~865

           

I.        Policy on Missed Exams, Quizzes, and Labs:          NO makeup labs or quizzes will be given. One and only one missed exam may be made up by adding the appropriate number of points missed (100) to the value of the final exam. Example: If one unit test is missed, the final for that person will be worth 200 pts (value of final) + 100 pts (value of missed exam) = 300 pts.

 

 

II.     Competencies:           The attached competencies are the minimum skills and knowledge that you must master to complete this course. They do not reflect the degree of knowledge and understanding you must demonstrate to earn a passing grade. If you have any questions concerning course content or expectations do not hesitate to raise them.

 

VII. Suggestions for success: There are many avenues for success in this class, but

they all involve a commitment of time and effort which may be greater than that

expected of you in a non-science class. Plan extra time for this class. Your

attendance in all classes is very important; few students will have success in this

class with a casual attendance ethic. Not everyone assimilates information in the

same manner, try to vary your methods of study…work in a group, make charts

and tables, quiz yourself, study out-loud and/or utilize the CD-ROM packaged

with your text. Don't get behind and if you are having trouble, seek help early.

There is no substitute for effort!

 

 

 

 

Biology 112 Laboratory Schedule

Spring 2008

TENTATIVE

Week   Thursday                               LAB                                                                           

1          (1/10)               Lab Topic #1 Science : A Way of Gathering Information

2          (1/17)               Exercise #2 Measurements in Biology 

3          (1/24)               Exercise #3  The Microscope

4          (1/31)               Exercise #6 Biologically Important Molecules 

5          (2/7)                 Exercise #4 The Cell

6          (2/14)               Exercise #9 Diffusion and Osmosis

7          (2/21)               Exercise #13 Photosynthesis

8          (2/28)               Exercise #14 Mitosis  

9          (3/6)                 Exercise #17 Genetics

10        (3/13)               DNA isolation from E. coli (handout)

11        (3/20)               Spring Break !!!!!!!!!

12        (3/27)               Exercise #18 Evolution

13        (4/3)                 Exercise #24 Survey of Bacteria

14        (4/10)               Exercise #25 Survey of Algae

15        (4/17)               Exercise #26 Survey of Protozoa and Slime molds

16        (4/24)               Lab Practical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biology 112

Tentative Lecture Schedule           Spring 2008

      

Week #       Date(Monday)                                 Topic                                                                                     

1                              1/7                           Exploring Life (1)

                                                                The Chemical Context of Life (2)

Water and Fitness of the Environment (3)

 

2                              1/14                         Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life (4)

                                                                The Structure and Function of Macromolecules (5)     

                                                               

3                              1/21                         No class Monday January 21st

An Introduction to Metabolism (8)

 

4                              1/28                         Chapter 8 continued

Exam 1 Wednesday

A Tour of the Cell (6)

 

5                              2/4                           Chapter 7 continued

                                                                Membrane Structure and Function (7)            

 

6                              2/11                         Cellular Respiration:Harvesting Chemical Energy (9)

                                                                Photosynthesis (10)

                                               

7                              2/18                         Chapter 10 continued

                                                                Exam 2 Friday

 

8                              2/25                         The Cell Cycle (12)

                                                                Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles (13)

                                                               

9                              3/3                           Mendel and the Gene Idea (14)

                                                                The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance (15)

 

10                            3/10                         The Molecular Basis of Inheritance (16)

                                                                Exam 3 Wednesday

 

11                            3/17                         Spring Break                      

 

12                            3/24                         From Gene to Protein (17)

                                                               

13                            3/31                         The Genetics of Viruses and Bacteria (18)

Genome Organization and Expression in Eucaryotes (19)

DNA technology (20)

                                                               

14                            4/7                           Exam 4 Monday

                                                                Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life (22)

                                                                The Evolution of Populations (23)

 

15                            4/14                         The Origins of Species (24)

Phylogeny and Systematics (25)

                                     

16                            4/21                         Origin of Life (26)

Prokaryotes Diversity (27)

                                                                Protists (28)

 

FINALS                                                 FINAL EXAM  (Comprehensive- 200 points)

                                                                Section A              Monday                    4/28/2007          10:30-12:45

                                                                Section B              Wednesday              4/30/2007          12:00 - 2:15

 

DMACC Information Web Sites

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Support Services

Accommodations

“It is the policy of DMACC to accommodate students with disabilities.  Any student with a documented disability who requires reasonable accommodation should contact the special needs coordinator at 515-964-6850 voice or 515-964-6810 TTY.”

Services for students with disabilities

http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/disabilities.asp 

 

Contact the special needs coordinator at 515-964-6850V,
515-964-6809 TTY or the counseling & advising office on any campus for an Application for Accommodation.

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Library

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Building 6, room 3

Monday – Thursday 7:30 am to 9:00 pm

Friday – 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday – 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Academic Achievement Center

http://www.dmacc.edu/student_services/academic_achievement_center.asp

 

Provides academic assistance for students on a drop-in basis.  Also serves as a make-up testing center.

 

515-964-6558 or 1-800-362-2127 ext. 6558

 

Building 6, Room 20

Monday – Thursday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Friday – 8:00 am to 2:30 pm

NOTE:  Summer hours may vary

Computer labs

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Building 6

Monday – Thursday 7:30 am to 10:00 pm

Friday – 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Saturday – 7:30 am to 1:00 pm

Disclaimer

“This syllabus is representative of materials that will be covered in this class; it is not a contract between the student and the institution.  It is subject to change without notice.  Any potential exceptions to stated policies and requirements will be addressed on an individual basis, and only for reasons that meet specific requirements.  If you have any problems related to this class, please feel free to discuss them with me.”

Nondiscrimination Policy

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law.  This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability.  Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.  Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedures.  Complaint forms may be obtained from the DMACC Web site, the Ombudsperson, Judicial Officer, Human Resources Department, the campus Provost's Offices, and Academic Deans’ Offices.

 

Students who wish additional information or assistance may contact the Executive Dean, Student Services, Laurie Wolf, Building 1, 515-964-6437 or the EEO/AA Officer, Dr. Sandy Tryon, Human Resources, Bldg. 1, 515-964-6301 or they may refer to Student Services procedure 4645 located on the DMACC Intranet at http://my.dmacc.edu/procs.aspx.  Go to Policies & Procedures and choose Student Services Procedures. Employees and applicants who wish additional information or assistance may contact the EEO/AA Officer, Dr. Sandy Tryon, Human Resources, Bldg. 1, 515-964-6301 or refer to HR Procedures 3000, 3005, 3010, 3015, and 3020 at http://www.dmacc.edu/hr/hrpp.asp .

 

For requests for accommodations, the Accommodation/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Sharon Bittner, can be contacted at 515-964-6857.  Students with requests for accommodations should refer to the Student Services procedure 4610 located on the DMACC Intranet at http://my.dmacc.edu/default.aspx .  Go to Policies & Procedures and choose Student Services Procedures.

 

Academic Misconduct

 

Academic Integrity, based on the values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility, is a fundamental principle of scholarship at DMACC. DMACC’s Academic Misconduct Policy prohibits: plagiarism (using another person’s writing or copying any work without proper citation), falsification, unauthorized collaboration during a test or on an assignment, or substitution for another student to take an exam, course or test.

 

If you are to benefit from this class and be properly evaluated for your contributions, it is important for you to be familiar with and follow DMACC’s Academic Misconduct policy. Students are encouraged to review DMACC’s Academic Misconduct Policy on-line at http://www.dmacc.edu/handbook/polprocedures/es4670.pdf or in the DMACC Student Handbook.

 

Work that violates these values is incompatible with the goals of this class and will not be tolerated. Students who are found responsible for a violation of the Academic Misconduct Policy will receive a failing grade for the course. Students have the right to appeal and may do so by following the procedures described in the Academic Misconduct policy.

 

COURSE COMPETENCIES:

During this course, the student will be expected to:

1. Use the scientific method.

1.1 Explain how use of the scientific method brought about the current understanding of the structure and functions of living organisms.

1.2 Describe contributions of significant researchers in biology.

1.3 Describe how methods used by researchers in biology enables them to make major contributions to the field.

2. Describe characteristics of life and the study of biology.

2.1 Characterize organisms.

2.2 Classify organisms.

2.3 Name organisms.

3. Summarize the characteristics of life molecules.

3.1 Use chemical terminology.

3.2 Describe atoms, molecules, chemical bonds, and chemical reactions.

3.3 Describe characteristics of water.

3.4 Use the pH scale.

3.5 Summarize basics of carbon chemistry.

3.6 Identify functional groups of organic molecules.

3.7 Identify characteristics of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

3.8 Identify amino acids.

3.9 Identify levels of protein structure.

3.10 Identify characteristics of nucleic acids.

3.11 Investigate biological molecule in the laboratory.


4. Summarize metabolism.

4.1 Use terminology of metabolism.

4.2 Characterize metabolic pathways.

4.3 Classify forms of energy.

4.4 Explain the laws of thermodynamics.

4.5 Apply concepts of free-energy.

4.6 Describe cellular work.

4.7 Summarize ways ATP serves as the energy currency of life.

4.8 Characterize enzymes.

4.9 Relate energy of activation to enzyme activity.

4.10 Describe enzyme function and regulation.

4.11 Describe control of metabolism.

4.12 Investigate enzymes in the laboratory.

5. Summarize microscopy.

5.1 Use terminology of microscopy.

5.2 Use a light microscope.

5.3 Describe electron microscopes and their use.

6. Summarize characteristics of cells.

6.1 Use current terminology to describe cells and cellular constituents.

6.2 Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

6.3 Describe features and functions of the nucleus and its contents.

6.4 Describe ribosomes and their function.

6.5 Describe features and functions of the endomembrane system of cells.

6.6 Describe functions of cell vesicles and vacuoles.

6.7 Explain how the structures of the mitochondrion and the chloroplast relate to their functions.

6.8 Distinguish between plastids of plant cells.

6.9 Describe features and functions of the cytoskeleton.

6.10 Explain how the structures of cilia and flagella provide for their functions.

6.11 Describe development and structure of plant cell walls.

6.12 Explain how the glycocalyx of animal cells provides for cellular functions.

6.13 Differentiate between types of intercellular junctions.

6.14 Identify cellular components in the laboratory.

7. Summarize cell membrane structure and function.

7.1 Use current terminology to describe cell membranes and membrane transport.

7.2 Summarize functions of the cell membrane.

7.3 Explain how membrane composition determines membrane fluidity and structure.

7.4 Classify transport proteins.

7.5 Describe diffusion and its relation to potential energy.

7.6 Explain osmosis.

7.7 Explain the generation of membrane potential.

7.8 Describe endocytosis.

7.9 Investigate membrane transport in the laboratory.


8. Summarize cellular respiration.

8.1 Use current terminology to describe harvest of chemical energy in cells.

8.2 Diagram energy flow through the biosphere.

8.3 Summarize chemical reactions of cellular respiration of glucose.

8.4 Distinguish between substrate-level and oxidative phosphorylation.

8.5 Distinguish between oxidation and reduction.

8.6 Name coenzymes used in cellular respiration.

8.7 Specify the cellular sites of the processes of cellular respiration.

8.8 Explain chemosmotic phosphorylation.

8.9 Describe fermentation and why it is necessary.

8.10 Relate how cells get energy from glucose to how they get energy from other molecules.

8.11 Explain how ATP production is controlled in cells.

8.12 Explain the evolutionary significance of glycolysis.

8.13 Investigate respiration in the laboratory.

9. Summarize photosynthesis.

9.1 Use current terminology to describe photosynthetic events and structures.

9.2 Distinguish between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition.

9.3 Distinguish between photosynthetic autotrophs and chemosynthetic autotrophs.

9.4 Relate chloroplast structure to function.

9.5 Summarize chemical reactions of photosynthesis.

9.6 Describe features of light.

9.7 Relate the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll to its action spectrum.

9.8 Explain of light absorption cause the electron flow of photosystems I and II.

9.9 Compare cyclic and noncyclic electron flow in the light reactions of photosynthesis.

9.10 Describe the roles of ATP and NADPH in the Calvin-Benson cycle.

9.11 Describe photorespiration.

9.12 Describe evolutionary adaptations that minimize photorespiration.

9.13 Describe the chemical fates of the products of photosynthesis.

9.14 Investigate photosynthesis in the laboratory.

10. Summarize cellular reproduction.

10.1 Use current terminology to describe cellular reproduction.

10.2 Describe binary fission in prokaroyes.

10.3 Describe chromosomes and their structural forms.

10.4 Summarize cell chromosome number changes in the sexual life cycles.

10.5 Describe events of the periods of the cell cycle.

10.6 Identify characteristics and events of the phases of mitosis.

10.7 Describe structures and events required for chromosomal movement in mitosis.

10.8 Compare cytokinesis of plant and animal cells.

10.9 Describe control of the cell cycle and the consequences of lack of this control.

10.10 Explain the relationship of chromosomes to heredity.

10.11 Distinguish between sexual and asexual reproduction of organisms.

10.12 Identify characteristics and events of the phases of meiosis.

10.13 Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis.

10.14 Distinguish between mitotic interphase and meiotic interkinesis.


10.15 Explain how independent assortment, crossing over, and random fertilization contribute to genetic variability in sexually reproducing organisms.

10.16 Explain how genetic variation in populations of organisms is crucial to Darwin's theory of evolution.

10.17 Identify stages of mitosis and meiosis in the laboratory.

11. Summarize Mendelian genetics.

11.1 Use current terminology of Medelian genetics.

11.2 Summarize Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment.

11.3 Use Punnett squares and the laws of probability to predict the genotype and phenotype ratios of F1 and F2 generations of mono-, di-, and tri-hybrid crosses.

11.4 Differentiate between complete dominance, recessiveness, incomplete dominance, and codominance.

11.5 Explain how sex-linkage may affect genotype and phenotype ratios.

11.6 Use pedigrees to determine patterns of inheritance.

11.7 Explain the presence of lethal genes in the population.

11.8 Explain methods used in genetic screening.

11.9 Relate chromosomal inheritance to independent assortment and sex determination.

11.10 Describe processes and results of crossing-over.

11.11 Describe how changes in chromosome number can occur and the results of these changes.

11.12 Explain the theory of genomic imprinting.

11.13 Explain examples of extra nuclear inheritance.

11.14 Perform mendelian crosses in the laboratory.

12. Summarize molecular genetics.

12.1 Describe the processes used to determine that DNA is the genetic material.

12.2 Identify chemical characteristics of DNA replication.

12.3 Identify characteristics of DNA replication.

12.4 Explain the one gene-one polypeptide hypothesis.

12.5 Differentiate between RNA and DNA.

12.6 Differentiate between types of RNA.

12.7 Distinguish between transcription and translation by processes and the location of these processes in cells.

12.8 Use the universal genetic code to work problems involving transcription and translation.

12.9 Describe characteristics of the genetic code.

12.10 Explain the processes and cellular structures that are involved in translation.

12.11 Explain processes involved translation in the cytoplasm and on the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

12.12 Explain how protein targeting in cells. relates to the site of translation.

12.13 Describe differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic mRNA.

12.14 Explain eykaryotic mRNA nuclear processing.

12.15 Describe functions of introns and gene splicing.

12.16 Differentiate between types of base-sequence mutations and their effects.

12.17 Investigate molecular genetics in the laboratory.


13. Summarize viral and bacterial genetics.

13.1 Summarize viral composition and function.

13.2 Describe processes of viral genome replication.

13.3 Distinguish between lytic and lysogenic reproductive cycles in a bacteriophage.

13.4 Describe cellular processes used to defend against viral infection.

13.5 Describe how viruses may cause cancers.

13.6 Describe means of virus transmission.

13.7 Relate hypotheses explaining viral evolution.

13.8 Differentiate between viruses and living organisms.

13.9 Describe the bacterial chromosome and binary fission.

13.10 Describe bacterial genetic recombination.

13.11 Describe roles of plasmids in bacterial life.

13.12 Describe natural and laboratory bacterial transformation and transduction.

13.13 Explain how operons function in metabolic control.

14. Summarize genome organization and expression in eukaryotes.

14.1 Compare genomic organization in eukaryotes to prokaryotes.

14.2 Describe DNA packing.

14.3 Distinguish between types of chromatin and the functions.

14.4 Describe hypothesized functions and origins or repetitive sequences and multigene families.

14.5 Describe examples of genome plasticity.

14.6 Describe the molecular basis of gene expression control.

15. Summarize the processes, applications, and ethics of genetic engineering.

15.1 Describe functions and uses of restriction enzymes.

15.2 Describe uses of gel electrophoresis in DNA technology.

15.3 Describe vectors used in recombinant DNA technology.

15.4 Describe source of genes for cloning.

15.5 Outline procedures used for gene cloning and transformation of bacteria and other cells.

15.6 Outline procedures used to sequence DNA.

15.7 Describe applications of recombinant DNA technology.

15.8 Describe procedures and processes that comprise the Human Genome project.

15.9 Discuss safety and ethical considerations of recombinant DNA research.

16. Summarize elements of evolution.

16.1 Describe development of evolutionary theory.

16.2 Summarize the Hardy-Weinberg theorem.

16.3 Use terminology of evolution.

16.4 Apply knowledge of molecular genetics to evolutionary theory.

16.5 Relate sexual dimorphism and diploidy to evolution.

16.6 Summarize speciation.

16.7 Outline phylogeny.

16.8 Describe views of the origin of life.

16.9 Investigate evolution in the laboratory.

17. Examine the prokaryotes.

17.1 Use appropriate terminology to describe prokaryotes.

17.2 Classify prokaryotes.

17.3 Describe prokaryotic metabolism, motility, gene exchange, and survival mechanisms.

17.4 Describe prokaryotic interactions with ecosystems.

17.5 Describe factor that allow prokaryotes to cause disease.

17.6 List Koch's postulates.

17.7 Classify toxins.

17.8 Observe prokaryotes in the laboratory.

18. Examine the protists.

18.1 Point out the major groups of protists.

18.2 Compare the major groups of protists.

18.3 Explain protoplasmic level of development.

18.4 Discuss principles of parasitism.

18.5 Describe life cycles and pathology of parasitic protozoans.

18.6 Point out the economic importance of the protozoans.

18.7 Observe protists in the laboratory.