Bio-140 Intro

Course Overview

BIOL 140 is an introductory biology course that serves as a companion to BIOL 130 (Molecules to Cells). While BIOL 130 focuses on the molecular and cellular aspects of life, BIOL 140 shifts the focus to ecology, evolution, and the interactions of organisms within ecosystems. The course explores biodiversity, the relationships between living organisms, and how environmental factors shape life on Earth.

Lecture Objectives

The first lecture introduces:

1. The Big Picture: A broad look at life’s diversity, classification, and ecological principles.

2. Scientific Inquiry & Evolution: Basic principles of biology, the process of scientific investigation, and the role of evolution in shaping life.

3. Ecological Systems & The Human Footprint: How ecosystems function and the impact of human activities on the environment.

4. The Eukarya Domain: Overview of eukaryotic diversity, classification into superkingdoms, and their evolutionary relationships.

5. Effective Study Strategies: Applying Bloom’s Taxonomy for deeper learning and comprehension.

Study Strategies & Learning Approach

The course emphasizes active learning and structured studying to help students move beyond memorization and towards application and creation of knowledge.

Bloom’s Taxonomy Steps for Effective Studying

• Preview: Read assigned texts before lectures, take notes, and jot down questions.

• Lecture: Actively engage by writing notes in your own words and participating in discussions.

• Review: After class, summarize concepts, explain connections, and prepare to teach others.

• Exam Prep: Practice answering assignments/study guides without using notes to test understanding.

Key Course Topics

1. Scientific Inquiry (Ch. 1.1 - 1.3)

• Introduction to how scientific research is conducted.

• The role of hypotheses, experiments, and evidence in biology.

• Connections between chemistry and biology.

2. Evolution (Ch. 1.4)

• Evolution as a unifying theme in biology.

• Natural selection, adaptation, and common ancestry.

3. Ecological Systems (Ch. 1.5)

• How organisms interact with each other and their environment.

• Energy flow, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem dynamics.

4. The Human Footprint (Ch. 1.6)

• The impact of human activity on biodiversity and ecosystems.

• Climate change, pollution, and conservation efforts.

5. The Eukarya Domain & Superkingdoms (Ch. 25)

• Phylogenetic Tree: A diagram showing evolutionary relationships among organisms.

• Superkingdoms: The major divisions of eukaryotic life, based on shared characteristics.

Superkingdoms of Eukaryotes

The seven superkingdoms represent major evolutionary lineages of eukaryotic organisms:

1. Opisthokonts

   • Includes animals, fungi, and some protists.

   • Mostly heterotrophic (consume organic material).

   • Highly diverse and fill various ecological roles.

2. Amoebozoans

   • Includes amoebas and slime molds.

   • Heterotrophic, with some acting as decomposers.

   • Model organisms for studying cell movement and physiology.

3. Archaeplastids

   • Includes land plants, red algae, and green algae.

   • Autotrophic (photosynthetic) and form the base of food webs.

4. Stramenopiles (S in S.A.R.)

   • Includes diatoms, brown algae, and water molds.

   • Characterized by stiff, tripartite external hairs on flagella.

5. Alveolates (A in S.A.R.)

   • Includes ciliates, dinoflagellates, and apicomplexans.

   • Characterized by flattened vesicles (sacs) under the membrane.

6. Rhizarians (R in S.A.R.)

   • Mostly non-photosynthetic protists.

   • Some have symbiotic relationships with algae.

7. Excavates

   • Includes euglenoids and parasitic species like Giardia.

   • Many have whip-like flagella for movement.

Characteristics of Life

All living organisms share these defining characteristics:

1. Complexity: Living systems have intricate organization and structure.

2. Plasma Membrane: Acts as a selective barrier between the internal and external environments.

3. Reproduction & Metabolism: Ability to grow, reproduce, and obtain energy.

4. Capacity to Evolve: Organisms adapt and change over time through natural selection.

Cell Structure & Function

• All life is composed of cells, which are the simplest self-replicating entities.

• Cells contain DNA (genetic blueprint) and harness energy from their surroundings.

Assignments & Research

Creature Feature Assignment

• Students will profile a eukaryotic species in a 5-7 minute in-class presentation (Week 4).

• Must include a primary research article as a source.

• Encourages creativity and innovation while integrating course concepts.

Finding & Reading Primary Research Articles

• Definition: A scholarly article where authors present their own original research and findings.

• Sections of a Primary Research Article:

  1. Materials & Methods – How the study was conducted.

  2. Results – Data and findings.

  3. Discussion – Interpretation of results.

  4. Figures – Visual representations of data.

• Credibility Check:

  • Must come from a peer-reviewed journal.

  • Should include experimental details and be published in a reputable source.

  • Be wary of predatory journals with fast turnaround times.

How to Read a Primary Research Article

1. Start with the Abstract – Identify the research question.

2. Skim the Introduction – Understand background information.

3. Analyze Figures & Results – Focus on data representation.

4. Read the Discussion – Understand implications of the findings.

Resources for Research

• Google Scholar

• JSTOR

• PubMed

• University Library Databases

Paraphrasing & Academic Integrity

• Avoid excessive quoting—only 30% of a research paper should be direct quotes.

• Properly paraphrase by rewording ideas in your own words while maintaining original meaning.

• Always cite sources correctly to prevent plagiarism.

Final Thoughts

This lecture sets the foundation for BIOL 140, emphasizing:
✅ Understanding the diversity of life through evolutionary relationships.
✅ Building scientific literacy by analyzing primary research.
✅ Developing effective study habits to enhance comprehension.
✅ Exploring ecological and human impacts on the environment.