BIOL 1406: Biology for Science Majors

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.

Explore the foundational principles of Hutton and Lyell, which shaped Darwin's evolutionary ideas. Understand uniformitarianism, deep time, and geographical patterns that inspired Darwin's theory. Discover how geology influenced biological understanding.

Discover the complex world of sea urchin reproduction, focusing on the essential role the cortical reaction plays in egg fertilization. Uncover common myths surrounding this process and learn what actually happens at the cellular level. Gain insight into how the formation of a fertilization envelope is crucial for successful fertilization.

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 mitosis by identifying each phase and their characteristics. Highlight the process that is not a part of mitosis, emphasizing the importance of DNA replication.

Discover the relationship between the papillary layer of the dermis and the layers of the epidermis. Understand the structure, function, and connections that exist in our skin's anatomy.