The following list shows the chapter-level topics and assignments for the course. To see all of the course pages, visit the Table of Contents.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Biology
- Properties of Life
- Levels of Organization of Living Things
- Introduction to Taxonomy
- The Diversity of Life
- Phylogenetic Trees
- Taxonomy
- Branches of Biology
- The Nature of Science
- Scientific Inquiry
- Basic and Applied Science
Chapter 2: Chemistry of Life
- Atoms
- Isotopes
- Arrangement of Electrons
- Chemical Bonding
- Iconic Bonds
- Covalent Bonds
- Hydrogen Bonds
- van der Waals Interactions
- Why Life Depends on Water
- Buffers, pH, Acids and Bases
Chapter 3: Important Macromolecules
- Carbon and Carbon Bonding
- Structure and Function of Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Protein Structure
- Function of Proteins
- Structure of Nucleic Acids
- DNA and RNA
Chapter 4: Cellular Structure
- Cell Theory
- Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
- Eukaryotic Origins
- Plant Cell Structure
- Animal Cell Structure
- Cytoplasm
- The Plasma Membrane, Cytoskeleton, and Flagella and Cilia
- The Endomembrane System
- Vesicles, Vacuoles, Ribosomes, Mitochondria, and Peroxisomes
- Animal Cells versus Plant Cells
Chapter 5: Cell Membranes
- Structure of the Cell Membrane
- Passive Transport
- Active Transport
- Membranes and Transport
- Endocytosis
- Exocytosis
Chapter 6: Metabolic Pathways
- ATP in Living Systems
- An Overview of Photosynthesis
- The Light-Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis
- The Calvin Cycle
- Summary: Photosynthesis
- Metabolic Pathways
- Thermodynamics
- Energy
- Enzymes
- Summary: Energy and Metabolism
- Glycolysis
- Citric Acid Cycle and Oxidative Phosphorylation
- Cellular Respiration
- Introduction to Fermentation
- Types of Fermentation
- Connections to Other Metabolic Pathways
Chapter 7: Cell Division
- DNA and Chromosomes
- Chromosome Structure
- Interphase
- Mitosis
- Cytokinesis
- Mitosis: The Complete Cycle
- Control of the Cell Cycle
- Cancer and the Cell Cycle
- Sexual Reproduction
- Stages of Meiosis
- Meiosis I
- Meiosis II
- Meiosis: The Complete Cycle
- Genetic Variation in Meiosis
- Mitosis, Meiosis, and Sexual Reproduction
- Introduction to Errors in Chromosome Number
- Karyotypes
- Common Disorders
Chapter 8: DNA Structure and Replication
- Structure of DNA
- Genetic Information
- Basics of DNA Replication
- Major Enzymes
- Proofreading DNA
- Viral Morphology
- Bacteriophage Reproductive Cycles
- Prions and Viroids
Chapter 9: DNA Transcription and Translation
- Steps of Transcription
- pre-RNA and mRNA
- Requirements for Translation
- Genetic Code
- Steps of Translation
- The Central Dogma
- What is a Mutation?
- Major Types of Mutations
Chapter 10: Gene Expression
- Expression of Genes
- Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
- Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes
- Eukaryotic Epigenetic Gene Regulation
- Eukaryotic Transcription Gene Regulation
- Post-Translational Control of Gene Expression
Chapter 11: Trait Inheritance
- Mendel’s Experiments and Heredity
- Characteristics and Traits
- Laws of Inheritance
- Heredity
- Non-Mendelian Inheritance
- Non-Mendelian Punnett Squares
- Multiple Alleles
- Pedigrees and Disease
- Pedigree Flowchart
- Genetic Disorder and Pedigrees
- Polygenic Inheritance and Environmental Effects
- Effect of the Environment
- Pleiotropy and Human Disorders
Chapter 12: Theory of Evolution
- Darwin and Descent with Modification
- Darwin and the Theory of Evolution
- Natural Selection
- Physical Evidence
- Biological Evidence
- Misconceptions of Evolution
- Population Genetics
- Selective and Environmental Pressures
- Genetic Variation and Drift
- Scientific Classification
- Structure of Phylogenetic Trees
- Limitations of Phylogenetic Trees
Chapter 13: Modern Biology
- Manipulating Genetic Material
- DNA Sequencing
- Cloning
- Genetic Engineering
- Medicinal Biotechnology
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Biotechnology at the Cutting Edge
- Genetic Information Used for Identification
- Medical Uses of Genetic Information
- Genomics in Agriculture
