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Course Description
Course Description
This is an introductory biology course for science majors. It will emphasize biological principles important in understanding living organisms to include: evolution, general biochemistry, cytology, Mendelian and molecular genetics, and ecology. As a note, this is not a typical 4 topic class, you will be following a Khan Academy AP Biology Course.
Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
What makes life possible? Chemistry! In this unit, you’ll dive into the properties of water, the elements essential to life, and the structure of key biological molecules. Explore how proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids are built—and how their unique structures give them the power to fuel, build, and regulate living organisms.
Unit 2: Cellular structure and function
Unit 2: Cellular structure and function
Explore the structures and functions of major eukaryotic cell organelles. Understand how the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, chloroplasts, and ribosomes contribute to cellular function and organization. Discover how compartmentalization supports efficiency, communication, and regulation within eukaryotic cells.
Unit 3: Cellular Energetics
Unit 3: Cellular Energetics
Explore how enzyme structure relates to function at the active site. Understand how enzymes lower activation energy to accelerate chemical reactions. Discover how substrate binding influences catalytic activity. Examine the role of enzymes as essential biological catalysts that regulate and support metabolic processes in cells.
Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle
Unit 4: Cell Communication and Cell Cycle
Explore the fundamentals of cell signaling and how cells exchange information. Understand how unicellular organisms use signaling to coordinate behavior. Examine the role of cell-cell junctions in facilitating communication and maintaining tissue integrity. Discover how signaling pathways regulate responses and support survival in diverse biological contexts.
Unit 5: Heredity
Understand how meiosis reduces chromosome number and creates variation through crossover and independent assortment. Explore the terminology of gametes, zygotes, haploid, and diploid states. Examine the sequential phases of meiosis I and II. Compare meiosis with mitosis to discover how sexual reproduction ensures genetic diversity.
Unit 6: Gene Expression & Regulation
Understand how nucleotides form the foundation of nucleic acids. Explore the molecular structure of DNA, including its double helix and complementary base pairing. Examine RNA’s single-stranded structure and its role in gene expression. Compare DNA and RNA to discover how their structural differences enable distinct but interconnected functions in genetic processes.
Unit 7: Natural Selection
Explore how natural selection drives evolution and shapes biodiversity. Understand how variation within a species provides the raw material for adaptation. Examine Darwin’s contributions to evolutionary theory. Discover real-world examples, such as the owl butterfly, to see how selective pressures influence traits and survival in changing environments.
Unit 8: Ecology
Explore how animals respond to their environment through behavior. Understand the distinction between innate and learned behaviors. Examine strategies for survival and reproduction shaped by natural selection. Discover how animals use communication to share information, coordinate activities, and adapt to ecological challenges.
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