For certain life forms on Earth, conditions that humans and other familiar organisms find hospitable can actually be deadly. Instead of a moderate climate with an atmosphere rich in nitrogen and oxygen, these organisms thrive in very hot or very cold temperatures, or in caves or deep waters where no light penetrates. In this video segment adapted from NOVA, scientists analyze communities of cave-dwelling microbes that live off simple inorganic compounds like iron and sulfur. Based on their findings, the scientists consider whether life might also exist on other planets that contain similar primitive conditions.

Recommended for: Grades 6-12

Basic subject in ecology: understanding the flow of energy and materials through ecosystems, and what regulates the distribution and abundance of organisms. Productivity and biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems; trophic dynamics; community structure and stability; competition and predation; evolution and natural selection; population growth; and physiological ecology. Emphasis on aquatic systems.

An integrated course stressing the principles of biology. Life processes are examined primarily at the organismal and population levels. Intended for students majoring in biology or for non-majors who wish to take advanced biology courses.

The MIT Biology Department core courses, 7.012, 7.013, and 7.014, all cover the same core material, which includes the fundamental principles of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Biological function at the molecular level is particularly emphasized and covers the structure and regulation of genes, as well as, the structure and synthesis of proteins, how these molecules are integrated into cells, and how these cells are integrated into multicellular systems and organisms. In addition, each version of the subject has its own distinctive material. 7.014 focuses on the application of these fundamental principles, toward an understanding of microorganisms as geochemical agents responsible for the evolution and renewal of the biosphere and of their role in human health and disease.

This course provides an introduction to the study of environmental phenomena that exhibit both organized structure and wide variability---i.e., complexity. Through focused study of a variety of physical, biological, and chemical problems in conjunction with theoretical models, we learn a series of lessons with wide applicability to understanding the structure and organization of the natural world. Students will also learn how to construct minimal mathematical, physical, and computational models that provide informative answers to precise questions.

The ocean absorbs almost half of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities, changing its chemistry in ways that may have significant effects on marine ecosystems. Join Scripps marine chemist Andrew Dickson as he explains what we know --Đ and what we don't --Đ about this emerging problem. (56 minutes)

Join Scripps climatologist David Pierce as he discusses the impact of climate on energy use in California and how he and his colleagues are working with energy utilities to use their understanding of regional climate to make the utility system more efficient and reliable. (56 minutes)

The magnitude and timing of global sea level change remains one of the outstanding questions in global change research. Join researcher Shad O'Neel for a tour of coastal glaciers and learn why scientists believe these glaciers' unique behavior will make them one of the largest contributors to sea level rise in the next century. (56 minutes)

The rate of global sea level rise and its causes has been debated for a century.Ę Despite 100 years of scientific scrutiny, no definitive conclusion has been reached.Ę Join Dr. Walter Munk as he describes why 20th century sea level rise remains an enigma, and why scientists still grapple with whether seawater warming or continental ice melting had the greatest influence. (53 minutes)

Recent discoveries from seafloor and other rocks suggest that Earth's crust might be host to vast, unexplored ecosystems of microbes. Join Hubert Staudigel as he describes his recent expedition to Antarctica and how he is exploring inhospitable environments for microbes that may provide clues to the early history of life on Earth. (56 minutes)

The deep ocean remains largely unexplored, and deep-sea animals, their distribution and their relationships to each other are the subject of an ever-increasing variety of research projects. Join Scripps biological oceanographer Greg Rouse as he unveils the latest findings on some of the oceanŐs most intriguing and least-studied creatures and learn about the sophisticated tools used to understand the Evolution of life in the ocean. (57 minutes)

Do you ever wonder what the seashore looked like 100 years ago? Many would be shocked at the changes that have occurred during the last few decades as population in coastal regions has swelled. Please join Dr. Kaustuv Roy as he explains the role humans have played in the degradation of some of our most precious coastal treasures and ponders what we can do to preserve what is close to being lost. (57 minutes)

In this course, you will journey through the web of physical, chemical, and biological reactions that collectively constitute photosynthesis. We will begin with light harvesting and follow photons to the sites of primary photochemistry: the photoreaction centers. A molecular-scale view will show in atomic detail how these protein complexes capture and energize electrons. Then we will follow the multiple pathways electrons take as they carry out their work. Consequent reactions, such as the synthesis of ATP and the reduction of CO2 during the synthesis of carbohydrates, will also be discussed in structural detail. Lastly, we will delve into the evolution of these systems and also discuss other photosynthetic strategies, such as light-driven proton pumps and anoxygenic photosynthesis. The course will include a visit to an electron microscope to allow students to directly observe proteins involved in photosynthesis. This course is one of many Advanced Undergraduate Seminars offered by the Biology Department at MIT. These seminars are tailored for students with an interest in using primary research literature to discuss and learn about current biological research in a highly interactive setting. Many instructors of the Advanced Undergraduate Seminars are postdoctoral scientists with a strong interest in teaching.