BIOL 2040: Concepts in Biology I

Discover the origins of specialized cells in embryonic development and learn about the three essential germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Explore how these layers form the foundation for all multicellular life.

Explore the intricacies of muscle contraction and the pivotal role played by elements like Calcium, Sodium, Potassium, and Chloride. Learn how Calcium directly triggers contraction by interacting with troponin and actin filaments. A thorough breakdown of each element's unique contribution to our body's movement.

Unpack the process of biological magnification in the food chain and learn why consuming foods from lower trophic levels minimizes toxin exposure. Grasp the implications of human-induced pollutants and the benefits of dietary diversity.

Explore the nature of compounds in chemistry, focusing on potassium chloride (KCl) and its dissociation. Understand the distinctions between salts, acids, bases, and buffers. Dive into the characteristic behaviors of each to identify the true nature of KCl.

Explore the application of parsimony in constructing phylogenetic trees, emphasizing simplicity in scientific explanations and its relation to evolutionary changes. Learn about various options for tree construction and the core concept of choosing the most parsimonious representation

Unravel the intricacies of a eukaryotic cell, its DNA structure, and the proteins that aid its function. Delve into the roles of cohesin, condensin, and histones, and discover the difference between chromatin, nucleosomes, and sister chromatids. Gain clarity on the pivotal structure ensuring successful cell division.