Biology 230: Cell Biology (GE)
Credit Hours: (4) Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory
A study of life at the molecular and cellular level. Topics include the chemistry of life, metabolism, cell structure, cell membranes, cell communication, and the basis of multicellularity. The laboratory component will teach basic laboratory skills while enhancing students' ability to plan experiments. This course serves as a foundation and prerequisite for further study in biology at the molecular level.
Note(s): General Education and Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Chemical bonds and the structure of molecules
Molecules of the cell
Cell structure
Cell Membranes and transport across membranes
Thermodynamics
Enzymes
Cellular respiration
Photosynthesis
Cell communication and multicellularity
Cell division, the cell cycle and cancer
The three domains of living organisms
Viruses
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The course will be taught in classroom and laboratory sessions. The lecture part of the course will use a standard biology textbook, and the material will be reinforced through practice problems and assignments. The laboratory part of the course will include instruction on the following basic skills:
• Using the metric system
• Weighing
• Measuring liquids, pipeting, micropipetting
• Making solutions
• Measuring pH, making buffers
• Dilutions
• Spectrophotometry, measuring concentration
• Effectively using and caring for microscopes
Goals and Objectives of Course
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
• Describe the major biomolecules making up living organisms.
• Describe the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
• Describe the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and name their organelles.
• Describe the structure and function of cellular membranes.
• Explain osmosis and its effects on cells.
• Explain how cells transport molecules across their membranes.
• Describe how the principles of Thermodynamics explain the limits of cell function.
• Describe the process of respiration, what it provides to cells, and where it is carried out in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Describe the process of photosynthesis, what it provides to cells, and where it is carried out in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Explain how cells communicate to one another and maintain multicellularity.
• Explain the stages of the cell cycle.
• Explain the stages of cell division and the overall result of the process.
• Describe how cancer happens.
• Describe current theories of life's origin.
• Describe the three domains, their evolutionary relationships to each other, and the kinds of cells that occur in them.
• Describe the major groups of prokaryotes.
• Describe the major groups of unicellular protists.
• Describe the molecular and cellular players in the immune system and how they protect us.
• Accurately weigh samples.
• Accurately measure liquids with cylinders, pipets, and micropipettors.
• Calculate and prepare solutions and buffers.
• Measure pH.
• Calculate and perform dilutions.
• Use a spectrophotometer to obtain spectra and to measure concentration.
• Use a microscope effectively.
• Properly care for a microscope.
Assessment Measures
Assessment of the students’ success in the course is based on examinations, laboratory write-ups, and other assignments that may include homework, in-class activities, and quizzes.
Other Course Information
None
Approval and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
New Course October 16, 2007
Revised 2/6/09 Gary Coté
April, 2011
Revised: March 20, 2012
March 01, 2021
April 15, 2024