Course Overview

BIOSCI 101: Life! Origins and Mechanisms is an introductory course in General Biology, focusing on the fundamental principles that define life, its origins, and the molecular and genetic mechanisms that sustain it. The course is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of bioenergetics, cell and molecular biology, and genetics, preparing them for advanced studies in biological sciences.

Key Topics

The course is divided into three main thematic units, each covering essential concepts in biology:

BIOENERGETICS

This unit explores the chemical and physical principles underlying life, focusing on how organisms capture and utilize energy.

• Introduction to Biochemistry and Thermodynamics: Understanding the basic chemical components of cells and the laws of thermodynamics as they apply to metabolism and life processes.

• Metabolic Pathways: Detailed study of Glycolysis, the Citric Acid Cycle (CAC), and the Electron Transport System, which are central to cellular respiration and energy production.

• ATP Synthesis: Mechanisms of ATP generation, the universal energy currency of the cell.

• Glucose Metabolism: Regulation of blood glucose during different physiological states (fed, fasting, exercise, diabetes).

• Photosynthesis: Conversion of light energy into chemical energy, highlighting the origin of food energy in ecosystems.

Example: The process of glycolysis converts one molecule of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, generating a net gain of two ATP molecules and two NADH molecules.

Additional info: The study of bioenergetics provides the foundation for understanding how life maintains order and complexity in accordance with the laws of physics and chemistry.

CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

This unit delves into the structure and function of cells, the basic unit of life, and the molecular machinery that drives cellular processes.

• Cell Structure: Examination of cells and organelles, including their functions and interactions.

• Cell Membranes and Transport: Structure of biological membranes, types of cell junctions, and mechanisms of membrane transport (e.g., diffusion, osmosis, active transport).

• Proteins and Enzymes: Structure, composition, and catalytic roles of proteins and enzymes in cellular metabolism.

• Nucleic Acids: Structure and function of DNA and RNA, including their roles in genetic information storage and transfer.

• Gene Expression: Processes of transcription (mRNA synthesis) and translation (protein synthesis), the genetic code, and transcriptional control mechanisms.

• Regulation of Gene Expression: Control of gene expression in bacteria, with emphasis on the lac operon as a model system.

Example: The lac operon in Escherichia coli is an example of gene regulation, where the presence or absence of lactose determines the transcription of genes involved in lactose metabolism.

Additional info: Understanding cell and molecular biology is crucial for grasping how genetic information is expressed and regulated within living organisms.

GENETICS

This unit covers the principles of inheritance, genetic variation, and modern applications of genetic technology.

• Genetic Basis of Inheritance: Mendelian genetics, patterns of inheritance, and the molecular basis of genetic traits.

• Population Genetics: Study of genetic variation within populations and the forces that drive evolutionary change.

• Gene-Environment Interactions: How genes and environmental factors interact to influence phenotypes.

• DNA Technology and Biotechnology: Techniques such as DNA sequencing, gene editing (e.g., CRISPR), and their ethical implications.

• Personalized Genomics: Application of genomics in research and medicine, with a focus on current developments in New Zealand.

Example: Mendel's laws of inheritance describe how traits are passed from parents to offspring through discrete units called genes.

Additional info: Advances in biotechnology and genomics are transforming our understanding of genetics and enabling new approaches to medicine and agriculture.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify, describe, and explain key concepts in bioenergetics, cell biology, and genetics.

• Demonstrate proficiency in interpreting graphical and numerical biological data.

• Develop competency in basic biological laboratory techniques.

• Engage in active, independent learning and self-regulation of academic progress.

• Work responsibly and ethically, both individually and in teams.

Assessment Structure

Students must pass both the practical (laboratories) and theory (assignments, test, and exam) components independently to pass the course overall.

Learning Resources

• Prescribed Textbook: Campbell Biology: Australia and New Zealand version, 12th edition

• Course workbook and laboratory manual (available in print and electronic formats)

• Online resources via Canvas, including lecture recordings and reading lists

Additional Information

• Attendance is required for laboratory sessions and scheduled tests.

• Students are expected to spend approximately 150 hours on the course, including lectures, labs, assignments, and independent study.

• Support is available for students with disabilities and for Māori and Pasifika students through the Tuākana Biology Programme.