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BIOL 100 - Human Biology

Course Description

An introduction to the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body. In addition, there will be selected topics on nutrition, infectious diseases and immunity, the nature of cancer, reproductive biology, and human genetic disorders.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of BIOL 100, the student will be able to:

  • Define the following terms: atoms, Ions, covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, chemical formulas v. structural formulas, chemical names v. common names.
  • Demonstrate the polymeric nature of macromolecules and identify the basic subunits of those polymers.
  • Identify examples of representative carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Also, define the three major differences between DNA and RNA and explain their involvement in protein synthesis.
  • Define the functions of ATP and reduced NAD as sources of cellular energy.
  • Demonstrate the function of enzymes within the cell.
  • Illustrate the process of the aerobic respiration of glucose to demonstrate how one molecule of glucose can yield 38 ATPs worth of energy.
  • Discuss the structure and functions of the cytoplasmic membrane of the the cell: phospholipid bilayer, selective permeability, passive diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.
  • Describe the structure and function of the nucleus, cytoskeletal network, mitochondria, Golgl apparatus, lysosomes, different vacuoles, flagella, cilia, basal bodies, and centrioles.
  • Differentiate between the 4 classes of tissues that make up the human body and describe the characteristics and properties of each class.
  • Demonstrate the end results of Mitosis and Meiosis and discuss the importance of each process relative to the human body.
  • Describe the various components of the male and female reproductive systems and how they function.
  • Discuss the roles of hormones in the male and female reproductive systems and understand the female menstrual cycle in the context of 5 different hormones.
  • Answer the following questions about the female reproductive system: What is the function of the female orgasm? Why does it take more time for a woman to reach orgasm (compared to a man)? Why does the human female lack an estrus cycle (unlike all other female mammals)?
  • Differentiate between the various forms of STDs that afflict the human reproductive system.
  • Describe the basic elements of Mendelian and post-Mendelian genetics and how they apply to human genetics, and apply the terms: homozygous dominant, homozygous recessive, heterozygous, Punnett Square, genotypic ratio, phenotypic ratio. monohybrid cross, and dihybrid cross.
  • Describe human sex-linked disorders and explain why they are sex-linked.
  • Identify human dominant and recessive genetic disorders.
  • Discuss some recent aspects of Genetic Engineering including the cloning of genes and the potential cloning of humans.
  • Identify the components of human skin and the various mucous and serous membranes of the body.
  • Describe the generalized structure of bone and discuss the functions of the human skeletal system.
  • Describe the generalized structure of a muscle and discuss how muscles contract.
  • Compare and contrast the 3 different types of muscle and know where they are found.
  • Become familiar with the structure and function of the organs of the digestive system.
  • Compare the similarities and differences between arteries and veins.
  • Describe the flow of blood through the four chambers of the heart, and the lungs and the rest of the body.
  • Organize the 5 classes of leukocytes (wbcs) found in human blood and discuss the functions of each class. Also, define the lymphatic system of the body and discuss its importance in terms of function.
  • Designate the functions of the First, Second and Third Lines of defense of the human body. List five examples of mechanical external barriers and five examples of chemical external barriers.
  • Discuss the mechanism of the inflammatory response and compare the functions.
  • Describe the B-oystem of immunity (humoral) of the body in terms of the definition of an antibody (Ab) and how the Abs are classified according their structural differences and their functional differences. Detail how Abs are produced by the body.
  • Describe the T-system of Immunity (CMI) of the body. Detail how effector T-lympyhocites are produced by the body. Explain some of the major CMI activities of the body and how they protect you from different pathogens and cancers.
  • Define the nature of allergic responses of the body and compare the Type I hypersensitivities with Type IV hypersensitivities. Also compare the differences between cutaneous localized anaphylaxis as opposed to generalized systemic anaphylaxis.
  • Describe some examples of Type IV hypersensitivity responses.
  • Compare the 4 different types of transplants or grafts into the human body and discuss the nature of ejection of transplanted tissues or organs. Discuss the graft v. host response.
  • Describe the structure and functions of the organs of the respiratory system. Become familiar with some diseases of the respiratory system.
  • Describe the structure and functions of the organs of the urinary system and detail the function of the individual nephron within a kidney.
  • Compare the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system. Compare the somatic nervous system to the autonomic nervous system. Compare the Sympathetic to the Parasympathetic nervous system.
  • Discuss the structure and function of a neuron and a nerve. Describe the major components of the brain and what their functions are.
  • Describe the control of the endocrine system of the body by the hypothalamus of the brain.
  • Discuss the target tissues of various endocrine hormones and the responses of the target tissues. List some of the hormones produced by multifunctional organs of the body.