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Learning outcomes for this module as of Fall 2019:
Please note: Those headings which have associated teaching tips are underlined, clickable links. However, while this identifies which topics have associated teaching tips, the actual list of teaching tips you click through to include all teaching tips for this module, not only the ones for one particular topic in this module.
Topic from HAPS Guidelines (in bold font)
Learning Outcomes (indented, regular font)
Note: This module is provided for A&P courses that do not have a prerequisite class which includes chemistry and cell biology. Content covered by required prerequisite courses does not need to be repeated in Anatomy & Physiology.
1. Atoms and molecules
1. Compare and contrast the terms atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds.
2. Describe the charge, mass, and relative location of electrons, protons, and neutrons in an atom.
3. Relate the number of electrons in an electron shell to the atom’s chemical stability and its ability to form chemical bonds.
4. Compare and contrast the terms ion, electrolyte, free radical, isotope, and radioisotope.
5. Explain how ions and isotopes are produced by changing the relative number of specific subatomic particles, using one element as an example.
6. Distinguish among the terms atomic number, mass number, and atomic weight.
1. Explain the mechanism of each type of chemical bond and provide biologically significant examples of each: covalent, ionic, and hydrogen bonds.
2. Compare and contrast nonpolar covalent and polar covalent bonds.
3. List the following types of bonds in order by relative strength: nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, ionic, and hydrogen bonds.
3. Inorganic compounds and solutions
1. Describe the physiologically important properties of water.
2. Compare and contrast the terms solution, solute, solvent, colloid suspension, and emulsion.
3. Define the terms salt, pH, acid, base, and buffer.
4. State the pH values for acidic, neutral, and alkaline (basic) solutions.
1. Define the term organic molecule.
2. Explain the relationship between monomers and polymers.
3. Define and provide examples of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis reactions.
4. Compare and contrast the general molecular structure of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids using chemical formulas.
5. Describe the building blocks of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and explain how these building blocks combine with themselves or other molecules to create complex molecules in each class, providing specific examples.
6. Describe the four levels of protein structure and the importance of protein shape for function.
7. Define enzyme and describe factors that affect enzyme activity.
5. Energy transfer using ATP
1. Explain the role of ATP in the cell.
2. Describe the generalized reversible reaction for ATP synthesis and the release of energy from ATP.
6. General organization of a cell
1. Describe the three main parts of a cell (plasma [cell] membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus), and explain the general functions of each part.
2. Compare and contrast cytoplasm and cytosol.
3. Describe the structure and roles of the cytoskeleton.
7. Cellular membrane structure and function
1. Describe the chemical composition, general structure (i.e., fluid mosaic model), and properties of all cellular membranes.
2. Describe the structure of the plasma (cell) membrane, including its composition and arrangement of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates.
3. Describe the functions of different plasma membrane proteins (e.g., structural proteins, receptor proteins, channels).
8. Mechanisms for movement of materials across plasma (cell) membranes
1. Compare and contrast intracellular fluid and extracellular fluid with respect to chemical composition and location.
2. Compare and contrast simple diffusion across membranes and facilitated diffusion in respect to their mechanisms, the type of material being moved, and the energy source for the movement.
3. Compare and contrast facilitated diffusion, primary active transport, and secondary active transport in respect to their mechanisms, the type of material being moved, and the energy source for the movement.
4. Define osmosis and explain how it differs from simple diffusion across membranes.
5. Compare and contrast osmolarity and tonicity of solutions.
6. Describe the effects of hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solutions on cells.
7. Compare and contrast exocytosis, endocytosis, phagocytosis, and pinocytosis in respect to their mechanisms, the direction of movement, the type of material being moved, and the energy source for the movement.
9. Membrane potential
1. Define resting membrane potential (RMP).
2. Explain the role of ion concentration gradients and membrane permeability to ions in establishing a membrane potential.
3. Explain how sodium-potassium ATPase pumps help maintain the resting membrane potential.
1. Define the term organelle.
2. Describe the structure and function of the various cellular organelles.
1. Define the terms genetic code, transcription, and translation.
2. Explain the process of RNA synthesis.
3. Explain the roles of tRNA, mRNA, and rRNA in protein synthesis.
12. Cellular respiration (introduction)
1. Define the term cellular respiration.
2. Explain the process by which glucose is converted through metabolic pathways to carbon dioxide and water (e.g., glycolysis, citric acid [Krebs or tricarboxylic acid] cycle, electron transport chain).
1. Describe the general phases (e.g., G phases, S phase, cellular division) of the cell cycle.
2. Compare and contrast somatic cell division (mitosis) and reproductive cell division (meiosis).
3. Describe DNA replication.
4. Compare and contrast chromatin, chromosomes, and chromatids.
5. Describe the events that take place during mitosis and cytokinesis.
Note: An asterisk (*) preceding a learning outcome designates it as an optional, advanced learning outcome. The HAPS A&P Comprehensive Exam does not address these optional learning outcomes.