BIOL 3020: General Microbiology

Learn the distinctions between dispersal and vicariance in biology. Understand how organisms' movements and environmental changes play crucial roles in allopatric speciation. Grasp the differences between movement across existing barriers and the creation of new barriers.

Discover the body's innate ability to adapt to extreme cold conditions. Learn how the brain orchestrates warming responses like shivering. Grasp the concept of homeostasis in maintaining internal stability.

Discover the debate between Intelligent Design (ID) and evolutionary science as they clash over the complexity of biochemical pathways in nature. Explore the concept of guided vs. unguided evolution and how diverse pathways challenge the ID perspective.

Learn how bioremediation works to treat contaminated environments and how microbes can help clean up pollutants. We evaluate multiple scenarios zeroing in on oil-degrading bacteria as a prime example of the process.

Explore the definitions of tissue, organ, and organ system. Understand the distinctions and interconnectedness between these components. Get an overview of the human body's eleven major organ systems and their functions.

Discover how cholesterol, a substance found in our body and certain foods, significantly impacts cell membrane fluidity. Learn its varying effects under different temperatures and in diverse cellular lipid compositions. Uncover its indispensable role in nerve signal transmission and cellular health.