Biology 150: Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology
A comprehensive introductory college-level biology course focusing on foundational concepts in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and metabolism. Designed for STEM majors, this course explores the molecular mechanisms that govern life, from cellular respiration to gene expression.
Basic Chemistry Review and Properties of Water Review atomic structure, electronegativity, and types of chemical bonds. Explain how hydrogen bonding gives water its unique life-sustaining properties. Calculate pH and describe the function of biological buffers. Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life Describe the versatility of carbon in forming complex biological molecules. Identify the major functional groups and explain their chemical properties. Differentiate between structural isomers, cis-trans isomers, and enantiomers. Macromolecules I: Carbohydrates and Lipids Explain the processes of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis. Identify the structure and biological functions of major carbohydrates. Compare the structures and roles of triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids. Macromolecules II: Proteins Describe the basic structure of an amino acid and how peptide bonds form. Explain the four levels of protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary). Discuss how denaturation affects protein function. Macromolecules III: Nucleic Acids Identify the components of a nucleotide. Compare and contrast the structures and general functions of DNA and RNA. Explain the directionality (5' to 3') of nucleic acid polymers. Introduction to Cells and Microscopy State the principles of the Cell Theory. Compare light microscopy and electron microscopy applications. Explain the importance of the surface area-to-volume ratio in limiting cell size. Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells Identify the structural components of a typical prokaryotic cell. Compare and contrast the general organization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Describe the evolutionary significance of cellular compartmentalization in eukaryotes. The Endomembrane System Trace the path of a newly synthesized protein through the endomembrane system. Describe the structural and functional differences between rough and smooth ER. Explain the role of the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vacuoles. Energy Organelles and the Cytoskeleton Describe the structures and functions of mitochondria and chloroplasts. Summarize the Endosymbiont Theory. Differentiate between microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments. Membrane Structure and the Fluid Mosaic Model Describe the Fluid Mosaic Model of membrane structure. Explain how temperature and lipid composition affect membrane fluidity. Identify the roles of integral proteins, peripheral proteins, and membrane carbohydrates. Membrane Transport Differentiate between simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and active transport. Predict the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane in hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions. Explain how the sodium-potassium pump maintains an electrochemical gradient. Thermodynamics and Enzymes Apply the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics to biological systems. Differentiate between exergonic and endergonic reactions. Explain how enzymes lower activation energy and how they are regulated (competitive vs. non-competitive inhibition). Cellular Respiration I: Glycolysis and Pyruvate Oxidation Write the overall summary equation for cellular respiration. Describe the energy investment and energy payoff phases of glycolysis. Explain the transition step where pyruvate is oxidized to Acetyl-CoA. Cellular Respiration II: Citric Acid Cycle and Oxidative Phosphorylation Trace the flow of carbon and electrons through the Citric Acid Cycle. Explain how the electron transport chain builds a proton gradient. Describe the mechanism of ATP synthase and chemiosmosis. Fermentation and Anaerobic Metabolism Compare aerobic respiration with anaerobic respiration and fermentation. Describe the pathways of alcohol fermentation and lactic acid fermentation. Explain the evolutionary significance of glycolysis. Photosynthesis I: The Light Reactions Identify the structures of a chloroplast and the overall equation of photosynthesis. Explain how photosystems capture light energy and excite electrons. Trace the linear electron flow that generates ATP and NADPH. Photosynthesis II: The Calvin Cycle Describe the three phases of the Calvin Cycle (carbon fixation, reduction, regeneration). Explain the role of Rubisco in carbon fixation. Compare C3, C4, and CAM plant adaptations to arid environments. The Cell Cycle and Mitosis Describe the phases of the cell cycle (G1, S, G2, M). Identify the structural changes in chromosomes during the sub-phases of mitosis. Explain the function of the mitotic spindle and kinetochores. Cell Cycle Regulation and Cancer Explain the role of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) in cell cycle control. Describe the major checkpoints in the cell cycle. Discuss how a loss of cell cycle control leads to cancer. Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles Distinguish between somatic cells and gametes, and diploid and haploid cells. Describe the events of Meiosis I and Meiosis II. Compare and contrast the processes and outcomes of mitosis and meiosis. Origins of Genetic Variation Explain how crossing over during prophase I creates recombinant chromosomes. Describe how independent assortment of chromosomes contributes to genetic diversity. Discuss the evolutionary advantages of sexual reproduction. Mendelian Genetics Define standard genetic terminology (allele, genotype, phenotype, homozygous, heterozygous). Explain Mendel's Law of Segregation and Law of Independent Assortment. Solve monohybrid and dihybrid cross problems using Punnett squares. Extensions of Mendelian Genetics Differentiate between complete dominance, incomplete dominance, and codominance. Explain multiple alleles, pleiotropy, and epistasis. Interpret complex pedigrees to determine modes of inheritance. The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance Explain the concept of sex-linked genes and solve related inheritance problems. Describe how linked genes deviate from independent assortment. Discuss chromosomal alterations like nondisjunction, deletions, and translocations. Molecular Genetics: DNA Structure and Replication Describe the double-helix structure of DNA proposed by Watson and Crick. Explain the semi-conservative model of DNA replication. Identify the roles of major enzymes in replication (helicase, DNA polymerase, ligase, primase). Gene Expression I: Transcription Define the Central Dogma of molecular biology. Describe the stages of transcription (initiation, elongation, termination). Explain mRNA processing in eukaryotes (5' cap, poly-A tail, splicing). Gene Expression II: Translation and Mutations Describe the roles of mRNA, tRNA, and ribosomes in translation. Translate a DNA/RNA sequence into a polypeptide using the genetic code. Categorize types of point mutations (silent, missense, nonsense, frameshift) and their potential impacts.