Bio. 111 Biological Concepts. (3+3): 4.

Bio. 111 Biological Concepts. (3+3): 4.
Introducing Biology: Science: Definition, philosophy, methods, classification. Biology: definition, branches. Life on earth: origin, conditions necessary for life.
Chemical Basis of Life: Chemical bonds, water: hydrogen bonds, properties, dissociation, acids and bases, pH scale, buffers, importance to life. Organic Molecules: Carbon, functional groups, monomers and polymers, chemical structure, properties, classification and gross functions of : carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Energetics of Chemical Reactions: the first and second laws of thermodynamics, free energy, factors affecting the rates of chemical reactions. Enzymes: Definition, nomenclature, function, properties, regulation of enzyme activity, cofactors and metabolic pathways. Glycolysis and cellular respiration: ATP, oxidation-reduction reactions, phosphorylation, Glycolysis and anaerobic pathways, oxidation of pyruvate, Kreb`s cycle, electron transport chain, mitochondrial membranes and chemiosmosis. Catabolic pathways of : starch, fats and proteins. Photosynthesis: nature of light and the spectrum electromagnetic radiation, absorption spectrum of chlorophyll, chloroplasts and thylakoid membranes, photosynthetic pigments, light dependent reactions, electron flow in photo-system (I) and (II), Phosphorylation, light independent reactions, photorespiration, C 3 and C 4 plants, importance of photosynthesis to life on earth.
Introduction to cytology ad cyto-physiology: The cell theory, methods of studying cells, main types of cells( prokaryotic, eukaryotic, animal plant), structural components of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, their gross functions. Cell size, plasma membrane ( fluid mosaic model), movement of material into and out of cells, linkage and communication between cells, wall and glyocalyx, cell movements( creeping, gliding, swimming, cytoplasmic streaming).