Powerpoint Presentation

General Approach to Course Information

  1. Outline information as you take notes.


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  2. Concentrate note taking on major points and concepts rather than transcribing every word of the lecturer.


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  3. Review notes soon after class. Clarify areas of confusion; often what seems clear in lecture may not be so clear when examined later. If you wait too long to review your notes you may not be able to reconstruct the logic to your comments. Some individuals like to rewrite their notes the same day as the lecture.


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  4. Do not just memorize information. If you understand the major concepts and examples, you should be able to intelligently answer questions and create solutions to problems.


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  5. Remember, it is OK to not know it all!  Even those of us who have been studying Biology for decades know only a fraction of the marvels of living systems. Do not let the magnitude of information about living systems overwhelm you. Focus your studies on the areas outlined, and venture into other areas as your time and interests allow. Part of the fun of Biology is knowing that there will always be some new thing to learn and appreciate about living organisms.

Introduction

Reading: Campbell and Reece, 2002: Chapter 1 - Ten Themes in the Study of Life

Student Objectives: As a result of this lecture and the assigned reading, you should understand the following:


1. A consequence of the hierarchy of structure of living systems is emergent properties, the concept that the hierarchical "whole" is more than the sum of its component parts.

2. Cells form the simplest independent units of organization of living organisms

3. Biological information is carried in DNA.

4. Structures and functions are correlated at all levles of biological organization.

5 and 6. Living organisms are characterized by: order; energy utilization; response to the environment; reproduction; growth and development; homeostasis; evolutionary adaptation.

7. Living things are unified and diverse.

8. Evolution is the central theme of biology.

9. Science involves repeated observations and testable hypotheses.

10. Science and technology are human endeavors.

 

 

    Atoms

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    Molecules

    \

    (Organelles)

    \

    ---------------

    Cells

    \

    Tissues

    \

    Organs

    \

    Organ Systems

    \

    Organisms

    \

    Population

    \

    Community

    \

    Ecosystem

    \

    Biosphere