BIOL 1412: Diversity of Form & Function – Syllabus and Course Introduction

Course Overview

This document provides an introduction and syllabus information for BIOL 1412: Diversity of Form & Function, a General Biology course at the University of Iowa. The course explores the diversity of living organisms, their evolutionary relationships, and the structural and functional adaptations that enable their survival.

Course Staff and Contact Information

• Course Contact/Administrator: Brandon Waltz ([e-mail])

• Office Hours: Monday 2:30–3:30 pm, Tuesday 2:20–3:20 pm, or by appointment

• Additional Instructor: Erin Irish ([e-mail])

• Office Hours: Monday 11:00 am–12:00 pm, Wednesday 9:30–11:00 am, or by appointment

Administrative Support

• Administrator Contact: [e-mail]

• Contact for administrative questions, including:

  • Coordinating make-ups

  • Questions about deadlines

  • Lab manual protocols

  • Major assignment expectations

Supplemental Instruction

• SI Leader: Jodie

• Session times and info video can be found in ICON (course website)

• Location (temporary): Main Library, 2nd Floor

• SI is a free resource for all students and is recommended even if you feel confident in the material.

Course Materials and Participation

• Textbook and Mastering Biology: Required for course content and assignments

• Participation: Participation is expected, with 50% correctness required for certain assignments

• Quizzes: Quizzes may be given, with a maximum of 70 points available throughout the semester

Study Strategies for Success

• Read assigned pages before lecture

• Attend lectures, listen carefully, and take notes

• After lecture, spend about 10 minutes reviewing and reflecting on the main concepts

• Re-read assigned pages, focusing on topics covered in lecture

• Consolidate lecture and textbook notes into a new document for review

• Discuss and present material to a study partner for deeper understanding

• Complete practice quizzes, such as those at the end of textbook chapters

Course Content Preview: Diversity of Life

The course will begin with an exploration of the diversity of life, focusing on the major domains and kingdoms, evolutionary relationships, and the distinction between unicellular and multicellular organisms.

Major Domains of Life

• Bacteria: Prokaryotic, single-celled organisms with unique cell wall structures and metabolic pathways.

• Archaea: Prokaryotic, single-celled organisms that share some features with eukaryotes and are often found in extreme environments.

• Eukaryotes: Organisms with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; includes animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

Key Differences Between Domains

Feature	Bacteria	Archaea	Eukaryotes
RNA Polymerase	One type (5 subunits)	One type (13 subunits; similar to eukaryotic RNA polymerase II)	Several types
Initiator Amino Acid for Protein Synthesis	Formylmethionine	Methionine	Methionine
Introns in Genes	Rare	Present in some genes	Present

Evolutionary Relationships

• Comparisons of genetic sequences show that prokaryotes are divided into two distinct clades: Bacteria and Archaea.

• Archaea are more closely related to Eukaryotes than to Bacteria.

• Both Archaea and Eukaryotes share features such as similar RNA polymerase subunits and the use of methionine as the initiator amino acid in protein synthesis.

Unicellular vs. Multicellular Organisms

• Unicellular organisms: Consist of a single cell that performs all life functions independently.

• Multicellular organisms: Composed of multiple cells that remain attached after cell division, allowing for specialization and increased size.

• Multicellularity enables the evolution of specialized tissues and organs, leading to greater complexity and macroscopic size.

Protists and Eukaryotic Diversity

• Protists: A polyphyletic group of mostly unicellular eukaryotes that do not fit into the categories of animals, plants, or fungi.

• Examples include amoebae, slime molds, algae, and various other single-celled organisms.

• Protists exhibit a wide range of forms and functions, contributing to the overall diversity of eukaryotes.

Summary Table: Unicellular vs. Multicellular Life

Characteristic	Unicellular	Multicellular
Cell Separation After Division	Cells separate	Cells remain attached
Size	Microscopic	Can be macroscopic
Cell Specialization	None	Present
Examples	Bacteria, many protists	Animals, plants, fungi

Conclusion

This syllabus and course introduction provide essential information for success in BIOL 1412. The course will cover the diversity of life, evolutionary relationships, and the structural and functional adaptations of organisms. Students are encouraged to utilize all available resources, attend lectures, and actively engage with the material for optimal learning outcomes.