BIOL 105: Biomolecules and Metabolism

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.

Explore the mysterious rise of MRSA following a battle against S. aureus with methicillin. Delve into various theories, and uncover the power of natural selection in shaping bacterial communities.

Explore the crucial concept of biodiversity and its significance. Learn about the various threats it faces, from pollution to habitat destruction. Emphasize the paramount threat: habitat alterations and their implications.

Discover the pivotal role of decomposers and detritivores in forest ecosystems. Understand the catastrophic consequences of their absence, from biomass accumulation to biodiversity loss. Learn how these unsung heroes maintain forest health and sustainability.

Discover the essential role of the mantle in mollusks, the protective tissue responsible for shell secretion or organ protection. Explore how land snails, clams, and octopuses utilize their mantles for distinct purposes.

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.