Genesee Course Catalog

Official Course Information

Please select a Course Section from the List below or use the Search box on the right if you know the Title.

Biology Courses:

BIO104 - Fundamentals of Cell Biology
Credits: 3 Catalog Description: Introduces basic chemistry, the structure, function, and biochemistry of cells, and the scientific method. Laboratory exercises develop skills including use of binocular microscopes and measuring. Two class hours and two lab hours. This is a preparatory course, for students with little or no recent experience in biology and chemistry, who plan on taking additional biology courses. Not for credit in the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Mathematics and Science program; not open to students with credit in BIO 105, 115, or 116. Lecture: 2 hrs. Lab: 2 hrs. Student Performance Outcomes: Students will demonstrate the ability to: Scientific Method and Introduction to Living Things 1. Students will identify the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement, data collection, experimentation and the evaluation of the data as documented by performance on a unit test and/or quiz. 2. List and give examples of a minimum of 4 characteristic of all living things. 3. Describe and list examples of the 3 Domains and 6 Kingdoms of living things. 4. Describe and give examples of a minimum of 7 levels of organization of life. Inorganic and Organic Chemistry 5. Describe atomic and molecular structure and give examples of ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonding. 6. Compare and contrast ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonds. 7. List a minimum of 4 properties of water and explain how they are a result of water's polar nature. 8. Define pH and related terms (acid, base, pH number scale) 9. Categorize organic molecules into the 4 major groups using characteristics such as elemental components, biological and physical properties, sources, and uses in organisms. Classification, Structure and Function of Cells 10. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by identifying structural components. 11. Identify a minimum of 10 organelles in Eukaryotic cells and describe their function, documented on a unit exam and/or quiz. 12. Explain the fluid mosaic model of membrane structure. 13. Compare and contrast active and passive transports of substances across membranes. 14. Predict the movement of fluid across membranes based on principles of osmolarity. Cellular energy 15. Describe why metabolism is unique to living things 16. State the laws of thermodynamics and give two examples of how they apply to living things. 17. Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration in writing. 18. Explain how photosynthesis is the primary pathway of energy capture in metabolic pathways and how photosynthesis and cellular respiration are interdependent. Genetics 19. Label a diagram of the cell cycle and explain what occurs in each stage. 20. Draw and label the stages of mitosis and explain the events of each stage. 21. Identify the major differences between mitosis and meiosis and explain the purpose of each type of nuclear division. 22. Define genetic terminology including crossing over, dominant, recessive, allele, phenotype, genotype, heterozygous, homozygous, carrier. 23. Describe a minimum of three genetic disorders caused by a single gene mutation, and use a Punnett square to predict the probable inheritance pattern. 24. Identify karyotypes of three genetic disorders caused by non-disjunction, and describe the phenotypic conditions. 25. Build a model of DNA, and demonstrate semi-conservative replication. 26. Describe the process of protein synthesis in an essay. 27. Explain the technique of DNA fingerprinting and at least three ways in which it is being used. Laboratory Skills: Students will demonstrate these in laboratory. 28. Display appropriate safety practices in the laboratory, as outlined by the instructor while using chemicals, sharps, and biological specimens. 29. Estimate volume, length, and mass using appropriate metric units. 30. Measure with a meter stick, graduated cylinder, pipette, micropipette and balance. 31. Determine the pH of solutions using indicator paper. 32. Determine the presence of carbohydrates using Benedicts and IKI tests, proteins using Biuret test, and lipids using Sudan test. 33. Properly use and store a microscope. 34. Prepare, stain, and observe wet mount microscope slides. 35. Use the correct focus knob to focus on microscopic specimens at all powers. 36. Focus on specimens using oil with the oil immersion lens. Clean the oil immersion lens and prepared slides after using immersion oil. 37. Sketch and correctly label microscopic specimens. 38. Measure and estimate the size of structures viewed through the microscope. 39. Construct models of organic molecules (DNA, sugar, amino acid, and lipid). 40. Using argarose gels, set up and run electrophoresis apparatus to separate DNA fragments. 41. Correlate models such as the cell and its organelles with actual structures seen in photomicrographs and with the microscope. *These course objectives have been identified as a student learning outcome that must be formally assessed as part of the College's Comprehensive Assessment Plan. All faculty teaching this course must collect the required data (see Assessing Student Learning Outcomes form) and submit the required analysis and documentation at the conclusion of the semester to the Office of Assessment and Special Projects. Content Outline: A. Introduction 1. Characteristics of Life 2. Unity and Diversity of Life 3. Organization of Life 4. Scientific Method - Nature of Science 5. Scientific Measurement B. Chemistry of Life 1. Elements, Atoms, Molecules, Ions 2. Bonding and Chemical Reactions -Hydrolysis -Dehydration Synthesis -Exchanges and Substitutions 3. Inorganic Molecules -Ions -Acids, Bases, Salts, Buffers 4. Importance of Water 5. Biologically Important Organic Molecules a. Carbohydrates b. Lipids c. Proteins -Enzyme structure and function -Importance of antibodies d. Nucleotides and nucleic acids C. The Cell - Structure and Function 1. 3 Domains, 6 kingdoms 2. Cell size 3. Prokaryotic cell structure 4. Eukaryotic cell structure a. Nucleus b. Cytoplasm c. Organelles d. Membrane e. Plant vs. animal 5. Transport across the plasma membrane a. Passive -Diffusion -Importance of osmosis b. Active -Membrane and cytoplasmic receptors D. Energy and Life 1. Energy - ATP 2. Cellular Respiration a. Glycolysis b. Krebs cycle c. Electron transport 3. Fermentation 4. Photosynthesis E. Continuance of Life - Genetics 1. Cell Reproduction a. Asexual b. Sexual 2. Cell Division a. Mitosis and Cytokinesis b. Meiosis 3. Classical Genetics a. Patterns of Inheritance b. Mendel's Laws c. Chromosomes and Human Genetics d. Human Genetic Diseases 4. Molecular Genetics a. RNA, DNA b. Replication of DNA c. Protein Synthesis d. Genetic Code e. Control of Gene Expression f. Mutations -Cancer -Viruses 5. Recombinant DNA technology a. Techniques b. Applications c. Human Genome Grading: Examinations, quizzes, lab reports, and homework One approach or a combination of the following may be utilized for evaluation. 1. Exams, quizzes or practicals. (50-70% of total grade) 2. Laboratory exercises/reports, and written assignments. (25-40% of total grade) 3. Optional assignments. (5-10% of total grade) Effective Term: Spring 2006

BIO104 - Fundamentals of Cell Biology

Credits: 3

Catalog Description: Introduces basic chemistry, the structure, function, and biochemistry of cells, and the scientific method. Laboratory exercises develop skills including use of binocular microscopes and measuring. Two class hours and two lab hours. This is a preparatory course, for students with little or no recent experience in biology and chemistry, who plan on taking additional biology courses. Not for credit in the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Mathematics and Science program; not open to students with credit in BIO 105, 115, or 116.

Lecture: 2 hrs.
Lab: 2 hrs.

Student Performance Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate the ability to:

Scientific Method and Introduction to Living Things

*1. Students will identify the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement, data collection, experimentation and the evaluation of the data as documented by performance on a unit test and/or quiz.

2. List and give examples of a minimum of 4 characteristic of all living things.

3. Describe and list examples of the 3 Domains and 6 Kingdoms of living things.

4. Describe and give examples of a minimum of 7 levels of organization of life.

Inorganic and Organic Chemistry

5. Describe atomic and molecular structure and give examples of ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonding.

6. Compare and contrast ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonds.

7. List a minimum of 4 properties of water and explain how they are a result of water's polar nature.

8. Define pH and related terms (acid, base, pH number scale)

9. Categorize organic molecules into the 4 major groups using characteristics such as elemental components, biological and physical properties, sources, and uses in organisms.

Classification, Structure and Function of Cells

10. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells by identifying structural components.

*11. Identify a minimum of 10 organelles in Eukaryotic cells and describe their function, documented on a unit exam and/or quiz.

12. Explain the fluid mosaic model of membrane structure.

13. Compare and contrast active and passive transports of substances across membranes.

14. Predict the movement of fluid across membranes based on principles of osmolarity.

Cellular energy

15. Describe why metabolism is unique to living things

16. State the laws of thermodynamics and give two examples of how they apply to living things.

17. Compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration in writing.

18. Explain how photosynthesis is the primary pathway of energy capture in metabolic pathways and how photosynthesis and cellular respiration are interdependent.

Genetics

19. Label a diagram of the cell cycle and explain what occurs in each stage.

20. Draw and label the stages of mitosis and explain the events of each stage.

21. Identify the major differences between mitosis and meiosis and explain the purpose of each type of nuclear division.

22. Define genetic terminology including crossing over, dominant, recessive, allele, phenotype, genotype, heterozygous, homozygous, carrier.

23. Describe a minimum of three genetic disorders caused by a single gene mutation, and use a Punnett square to predict the probable inheritance pattern.

24. Identify karyotypes of three genetic disorders caused by non-disjunction, and describe the phenotypic conditions.

25. Build a model of DNA, and demonstrate semi-conservative replication.

26. Describe the process of protein synthesis in an essay.

27. Explain the technique of DNA fingerprinting and at least three ways in which it is being used.

Laboratory Skills: Students will demonstrate these in laboratory.

28. Display appropriate safety practices in the laboratory, as outlined by the instructor while using chemicals, sharps, and biological specimens.

29. Estimate volume, length, and mass using appropriate metric units.

30. Measure with a meter stick, graduated cylinder, pipette, micropipette and balance.

31. Determine the pH of solutions using indicator paper.

32. Determine the presence of carbohydrates using Benedicts and IKI tests, proteins using Biuret test, and lipids using Sudan test.

33. Properly use and store a microscope.

34. Prepare, stain, and observe wet mount microscope slides.

35. Use the correct focus knob to focus on microscopic specimens at all powers.

36. Focus on specimens using oil with the oil immersion lens. Clean the oil immersion lens and prepared slides after using immersion oil.

37. Sketch and correctly label microscopic specimens.

38. Measure and estimate the size of structures viewed through the microscope.

39. Construct models of organic molecules (DNA, sugar, amino acid, and lipid).

40. Using argarose gels, set up and run electrophoresis apparatus to separate DNA fragments.

41. Correlate models such as the cell and its organelles with actual structures seen in photomicrographs and with the microscope.

*These course objectives have been identified as a student learning outcome that must be formally assessed as part of the College's Comprehensive Assessment Plan. All faculty teaching this course must collect the required data (see Assessing Student Learning Outcomes form) and submit the required analysis and documentation at the conclusion of the semester to the Office of Assessment and Special Projects.

Content Outline:
A. Introduction

1. Characteristics of Life
2. Unity and Diversity of Life
3. Organization of Life
4. Scientific Method - Nature of Science
5. Scientific Measurement

B. Chemistry of Life

1. Elements, Atoms, Molecules, Ions
2. Bonding and Chemical Reactions
-Hydrolysis
-Dehydration Synthesis
-Exchanges and Substitutions
3. Inorganic Molecules
-Ions
-Acids, Bases, Salts, Buffers
4. Importance of Water
5. Biologically Important Organic Molecules
a. Carbohydrates
b. Lipids
c. Proteins
-Enzyme structure and function
-Importance of antibodies
d. Nucleotides and nucleic acids

C. The Cell - Structure and Function

1. 3 Domains, 6 kingdoms
2. Cell size
3. Prokaryotic cell structure
4. Eukaryotic cell structure
a. Nucleus
b. Cytoplasm
c. Organelles
d. Membrane
e. Plant vs. animal
5. Transport across the plasma membrane
a. Passive
-Diffusion
-Importance of osmosis
b. Active
-Membrane and cytoplasmic receptors

D. Energy and Life

1. Energy - ATP
2. Cellular Respiration
a. Glycolysis
b. Krebs cycle
c. Electron transport
3. Fermentation
4. Photosynthesis

E. Continuance of Life - Genetics

1. Cell Reproduction
a. Asexual
b. Sexual
2. Cell Division
a. Mitosis and Cytokinesis
b. Meiosis
3. Classical Genetics
a. Patterns of Inheritance
b. Mendel's Laws
c. Chromosomes and Human Genetics
d. Human Genetic Diseases
4. Molecular Genetics
a. RNA, DNA
b. Replication of DNA
c. Protein Synthesis
d. Genetic Code
e. Control of Gene Expression
f. Mutations
-Cancer
-Viruses
5. Recombinant DNA technology
a. Techniques
b. Applications
c. Human Genome

Grading:
Examinations, quizzes, lab reports, and homework
One approach or a combination of the following may be utilized for evaluation.

1. Exams, quizzes or practicals. (50-70% of total grade)
2. Laboratory exercises/reports, and written assignments. (25-40% of total grade)
3. Optional assignments. (5-10% of total grade)

Effective Term: Spring 2006