This course covers specialized and somewhat advanced topics in the fields of cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics. It does not cover organismal biology or taxonomy. The course is carefully planned to provide the background that biology students will need for advanced biology classes. Non-biology majors will also find this course useful as it explains many of the concepts and techniques currently discussed in the popular press.

This course is built around six key concepts that provide unifying explanations for how and why structures are formed and processes occur throughout your study of biology. Because it is not possible to cover the breadth of modern molecular biology in one semester, an understanding of these key concepts will provide a basis for extension of your knowledge to biological systems beyond the specifics covered in this course. One of the major goals of the course therefore is for you to not only learn the definitions of the concepts but also learn to recognize when they are operating the process being studied.

Topics covered include: Biological Chemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular biology, and Metabolism.

This is a companion website to a NOVA television series investigating strange life-forms found in toxic caverns. The program reviews the traditional theory of cave formation; introduces new theories of microbial sulfuric acid production; examines the role of oil-feeding microbes in dissolving limestone; presents the discovery of microbes in caves that live solely on chemical nutrients; and reviews other extreme environments. The site offers an interview with a microbiologist, an essay by a caver, a slide show of decorated caves, a teacher's guide including the classroom activity entitled "Microbial Townhouse," and interactive animation about cave formation.

In addition to covering the basics in the Concepts in Endocrine Pathophysiology lecture, the lectures in this course cover a wide range of subjects, from Pituitary Neoplasia to Diabetes and Obesity - Treatment to Goiter and Thyroid Nodular Disease. The course also contains Small Group Discussion sessions which consolidate the concepts and facts acquired during the lectures and pursues the ability to solve common clinical problems in Endocrinology and Metabolism with sample cases and solutions.

Dr. Evans asks students if they think environment or genetics would most influence obesity, then shows a clip about the Pima Indian tribe and how environment has affected them. Also featured on the DVD Science of Fat, available free from HHMI. This video is two minutes and 35 seconds in length, and available in Quicktime (21 MB) and Windows Media (27 MB). All Obesity videos are located at: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/obesity/video.html.

An introduction to pharmacology. Topics include mechanisms of drug action, dose-response relations, pharmacokinetics, drug delivery systems, drug metabolism, toxicity of pharmacological agents, drug interactions, and substance abuse. Selected agents and classes of agents examined in detail.

This workshop demonstrates on-line use of the national electronic bulletin board, complete with electronic mail started in 1987 by the National Association of Biology Teachers. Once on-line, 14 special interest areas are available, such as AP- Biology, magazine and book reviews, ABT Journal, NABT membership services, question and answer forum, software reviews, and swap/sale of used equipment. Also available for downloading onto your computer are extensive files of labs, graphics, and handouts. Discussions of this and other databases will emphasize the power of these new professional communication tools. Note: This workshop is not included in the published proceedings volume because it was not submitted by the author.

This sequence addresses the various structural components in the kidney are specialized for processing of the filtrate and production of urine. It also covers homeostatic mechanisms involved in the control and regulation of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance, as well as metabolic processes in eliminating nitrogenous waste such as urea and uric acid.

These laboratory exercises should be used to teach the basic properties of enzyme activity, including the effects of temperature, enzyme concentrations, and substrate concentrations.

This protocol represents a cost-effective modification of the Ames Test that allows students to investigate the mutagenic potential of various common substances. Potential mutagens are tested using well-characterized auxotrophic strains of Salmonella typhimurium. By analyzing the results, students determine if any of their compounds may be mutagenic. Follow-up experiments are designed to determine the dose response of these potential mutagens. Using this protocol, we have achieved reproducible results with several known mutagens, including sodium azide and ultraviolet irradiation. This approach enables faculty to control costs and results to improve student understanding of mutagenesis, biochemical pathways, experimental design, and data analysis.

The term mammal encompasses a huge variety of animals, including humans. But what makes a mammal a mammal? This unit explores some of the features, such as reproduction, lactation and thermoregulation methods, that mammals have in common. It is the first

This exercise, which is adaptable for introductory biology students or advanced physiology classes, uses a simple radio telemetry system for measuring body temperature from unrestrained and undisturbed animals. The advantages of this system over traditional probe-type thermometers are enormous. The laboratory will include practice in calibration of the transmitters, instruction in inserting the transmitter into the animals, and experience in interpreting the data obtained.

From sixty-four ounce colas to six hundred calorie health shakes, Americans are drinking far more calories than ever before. We also have record setting rates of obesity. A recent study suggests the two trends might be connected.

Peer into the microbial world with this comprehensive microbiology series. This series helps students understand microbial functions and how microorganisms affect everything from medicine to environmental issues to global politics. Dynamic visuals Ń such as animations and scanning electron micrographs Ń and case studies including DNA testing and dramatic battles against dangerous viruses illustrate the work and effects of microorganisms. Students gain an enhanced appreciation of the field of microbiology as they meet scientists carrying on their investigations in the lab and in the field. Unseen Life on Earth is designed for general microbiology courses for majors and allied health students. It is also useful as a resource for life science courses in college and high school. A video instructional series for college and high school classrooms and adult learners; 12 half-hour video programs and coordinated books.

This exercise is designed for experienced students and is meant to introduce the students to basic surgical procedures and to show a technique for intravenous infusion and blood sampling of live rats.

Astrobiology in the Classroom leads students in the exploration of the limits of life on Earth to extend their beliefs about life to include its possibility on other worlds. In this four-part activity, students first explore the environments of several mammals and birds to better understand how living things and their environments interact and depend on each other. In the second part, students match bacterial types with their more extreme environments. Students discover that an environment's temperature, salinity, pH, and sources of carbon and energy are important for what can live there. Next, students are given readings on life in extreme environments that cover the latest scientific findings in this field and are asked to answer reflective-questions. With their new understanding of the limits of life on Earth, the final part guides students in the exploration of environments on other planets and moons in our Solar System. Word is required for opening this document.

In this activity about the relationship between food and energy (page 8 of PDF), learners estimate average daily baseline energy (Calorie) needs and energy needs for different levels of activity. Learners will calculate how many Calories a typical teenager needs every day, known as Basal Metabolic Rate or BMR, as well as their own baseline Calorie needs based on gender, age, height, and weight. Learners will calculate this using the Harris-Benedict Equation. This guide includes background information, setup and management tips, extensions, and handouts.