BIOL 2240: 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 properties and significance of methane (CH4), from its atomic structure to its pivotal role in industry and the environment. Uncover how carbon and hydrogen atoms form covalent bonds, making methane a key component of natural gas.

Explore the fascinating process of protein digestion, debunking misconceptions about where it starts. Discover the roles of enzymes like pepsin and HCl in breaking down proteins in the stomach.

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.

Explore the intricate workings of exergonic redox reactions, their energy release dynamics, and their crucial role in the mitochondria. Understand the Electron Transport Chain's role and how these reactions drive ATP synthesis via chemiosmosis.