BIOL 515: Behavioral Ecology

We explore how to determine the nature of a mysterious, gelatinous substance found on a forest rock. By conducting a series of tests, including microscopy, DNA staining, respiration observation, and growth experiments, we aim to unravel whether this enigmatic material is alive, inanimate, or a product of a living organism.

Learn about the unique adaptability of facultatively anaerobic cells in different oxygen conditions. Discover the outcome of an experiment comparing their growth in aerobic and anaerobic environments. Grasp the resilience of these cells and their growth mechanisms.

Nucleic acids, comprising DNA and RNA, are vital biomolecules encoding genetic information. We explore the structure and components of their monomers, nucleotides, emphasizing the role of nitrogenous bases and the significance of polynucleotide chains in storing genetic data.

Explore the distinctions between aerobic, anaerobic, and non-aerobic exercises. Understand the energy mechanisms driving each type of exercise and their unique health benefits. From jogging and sprinting to golf, discover how each engages the body differently.

Learn about mouse genetics and the implications of dominant and recessive genes on coat color. We'll use a Punnett square to predict offspring coat patterns by crossing two heterozygous mice. Learn how phenotype ratios like 9 Agouti: 4 white: 3 black help us understand genetic outcomes.