Biology

Course summary

Biological molecules – the basic chemistry of living organisms, necessary knowledge for all further study of biology. Cells – the ultrastructure of cells as seen by electron microscopy; practical light microscopy. Organisms – exchange substances with their environment; gas exchange; circulation and digestion. Genetics – genetic information, variation, and relationships between organisms, including the study of DNA and RNA, mitosis, and meiosis. Energy – energy transfers in and between organisms; photosynthesis, respiration, and ecosystems. Organisms responding to changes – responses to internal and external environmental changes; homeostasis, the nervous and hormonal systems. Genetics, populations, evolution, and ecosystems – inheritance of characteristics, evolution, and specification. The control of gene expression – DNA technologies and how genes are controlled and interact with each other.