BIO 17290: Biology for the 21st Century

Discover the unique adaptations of C4 and CAM plants in photosynthesis. Understand their evolved strategies to fix carbon efficiently in challenging environments. Dive into nature's remarkable mechanisms of survival and adaptation.

Discover the rich tapestry of a forest ecosystem, from diverse plant life to a wide range of forest-dwelling animals. Explore the vital roles of fungi and microorganisms in this dynamic environment. Learn about the abiotic factors, including soil types, water sources, sunlight, temperature, and oxygen, that shape this magnificent symphony of life.

Discover the evolution of plant-eating habits in insects, the links between moths, butterflies, caddisflies, flies, and fleas. Explore the hypothesis of how herbivory could influence speciation and diversity within the insect kingdom.

Discover the distinctions and similarities between gymnosperms and angiosperms. Delve into their structural features, seed development processes, and pollen grain formation. Uncover why only angiosperms possess ovaries.

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 fascinating interaction between electrical energy charge and materials through the lens of an electroscope. Discover how inserting a conductor between its charged foil sheets changes the charge dynamics leading to an attraction between foil and needle. Understand the roles of conductors insulators and charge induction in this intriguing experiment.