Course Description
This course explores the structure and function of plants and animals, from the cellular to the organismal level, with a focus on anatomy, physiology, and development. Students will examine the fundamental biological processes that govern growth, reproduction, and adaptation, gaining a deeper understanding of how organisms interact with their environments. Through an integrative approach, this course provides essential knowledge for students pursuing careers in the life sciences and related fields.
Topics
- Evolutionary Foundations and Structural Organization: Explore how evolutionary principles and surface area-to-volume ratios shape biological form and function, from the cellular level to organ systems.
- Cellular Function, Homeostasis, and Bioenergetics: Examine cell structure, tissues, and organelles in the context of homeostasis, metabolism, and energy transformation, with emphasis on cellular respiration.
- Nutrition, Excretion, and Internal Regulation: Understand how organisms acquire and process nutrients, regulate salt and water balance, and eliminate waste through coordinated digestive, renal, and osmoregulatory systems.
- Integration of Major Physiological Systems: Analyze the structure and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, and how they interact to maintain internal balance.
- Biological Development and Differentiation: Investigate how cells specialize and organs form during development, linking molecular mechanisms to the emergence of complex physiological systems.
