Bio100
Perspectives in Biology
BIO100
Summer 2021
Class: M-Th; 9:10-11:00 AM and Lab Tu 6-9pm
Place: In person lecture Bodine 300
In person lab BioPsych Bluelab
Online Zoom Mtg ID: 971 1831 3062
Office Hours: T-Th 11-11:30AM and by appointment, in person and
via Zoom (email in advance if you will attend remotely).
Course Materials:
-- Biology Science for Life, Belk & Borden Maier, 5th ed., Pearson, 2016
-- Endless Forms Most Beautiful, Carroll, Norton & Company, 2005
-- BIO100 Lab Manual, 2021 (pdf link below)
Instructor: Greg Hermann
Email: hermann@lclark.edu
Animal form is controlled by master regulators such as the Hox genes. On the right is a normal fruit fly (species Drosophila melanogaster) and the on the left is a mutant that has a defect in the function of the Ultrabithorax Hox gene.
Welcome to the field of science that aims to understand life. The major goals of this course are to develop an advanced understanding of genes and cells and your skills applying scientific approaches to generate new knowledge. You will develop your skills and understanding by considering three questions: (1) What is cancer and how can we cure it? (2) What is genetically modified food and should we be concerned? (3) What generates animal diversity and how does it evolve? In considering the answers to these questions we will explore fundamental biological factors ranging from genes, to genomes, to proteins, to cells, to organs. The insights you gain will change the way you view life and the world, as well as illuminate the strengths and limitations in applying scientific approaches to answering questions. In the lab, you will design experiments and analyze data that provide insights into the mechanism of flagella (which mediate cell swimming) growth.