Explore fundamental concepts of molecular biology, including the four essential macromolecules for life (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids) and other essential compounds. This course covers the cell membrane and transport, cell division, gene expression, and cellular metabolism.
This course is intended for students interested in understanding and appreciating common biological topics, studying the smallest foundational units within biology: molecules and cells. Molecular and cellular biology is a dynamic field. There are thousands of opportunities within the medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, educational, and industrial fields for experts in molecular and cellular processes. This course introduces these topics and provides a deeper understanding of how environmental factors affect and are affected by molecular and cellular processes. It will prepare you for diverse career paths and help you make sound everyday decisions that can improve your diet and health.
- Unit 1: Introduction to Biology
- Unit 2: Basic Chemistry
- Unit 3: Biological Molecules
- Unit 4: Cells and Cell Membranes
- Unit 5: Enzymes, Metabolism, Cellular Respiration
- Unit 6: Photosynthesis
- Unit 7: Cellular Reproduction: Mitosis
- Unit 8: Cellular Reproduction: Meiosis
- Unit 9: Mendelian Genetics and Chromosomes
- Unit 10: Gene Expression
- Explain and characterize biological concepts and properties common to living organisms;
- Describe how molecular and cellular metabolism affect environmental and biological processes;
- Discuss applying the scientific method to problem-solving and gaining information through testable evidence;
- Describe physical and chemical principles in metabolic processes of biological organisms;
- Describe the structure and function of biological macromolecules and how they contribute to overall health;
- Describe the structure and function of cellular components common to living organisms and outline differences among cell types;
- Explain how living systems store and transform matter and energy, maintaining the laws of Thermodynamics;
- Compare anabolic and catabolic biochemical pathways within living organisms and in their environment and their role in sustaining life;
- Differentiate how organisms reproduce cells and the functional differences in types of cell division;
- Apply genetic principles to solve problems in Mendelian and molecular genetics and predict future populations based on genetic traits;
- Explain how biological systems store, copy, transfer, maintain, and express information; and
- Identify important scientific contributions using testable scientific research and discovery.
