Bio 125: Lecture 1
(Tues 1/17/17)
Course Overview
A. Who you will be learning from
B. Importance of scientific literacy
C. Objectives, SLOs
D. Course Flow
E. Requirements
F. How to thrive in a science class
II. Biology basics
A. What is life?
1. Made up of cells (structured order; separate from environment)
2. Reproduces – transmits genes
3. Requires energy (metabolism)
4. Interacts with living & non-living environment
5. Evolves (species do, not individuals; adaptations)
B. Levels of biological complexity
1. Cells
2. Tissues
3. Organs
4. Organ systems
C. Key biological processes
1. Autotrophy: Photosynthesis & chemosynthesis
2. Respiration
3. Metabolism
III. Ocean Zones
A. Vertical zonation (photic vs. aphotic)
B. Benthic vs. pelagic
C. Plankton
1. Defined
2. Types
a. Phytoplankton
Most are unicellular
i. Cyanobacteria
Important for oxygen production
Important nitrogen fixers
ii. Diatoms (glass shells)
iii. Dinoflagellates (cellulose shells)
b. Zooplankton (animals)
Most are multi-cellular
I.
Welcome to BIO 125
Marine Biology!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrXQbucZUDA
“..science is not a collection of immutable facts
but a method for setting aside some of our
ubiquitous human frailties, our biases, our
irrationality, our longing to confirm our most
comforting beliefs, our mental laziness.
Facts can be used in a way a drunk uses a
lamppost, for support.
Science illuminates the universe.”
– Danielle Teller “There’s a good reason Americans
are horrible at science” qz.com
Class emails will be sent via
pipeline.
Check your pipeline email
account regularly (or forward
emails to yourself)
www.sbcc.edu/pipeline
Location of class website:
www.biosbcc.net/ocean
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class website:
ASSIGNMENTS! www.biosbcc.net/ocean
How to survive thrive in a science class
1. Stay engaged – participate!
How to survive thrive in a science class
2. Make a plan
to help you stick to daily tasks
Step by step you can do it!
How to survive thrive in a science class
3. You are not alone
- create a team - come for help
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Cell – basic unit of life
Key Biological Processes: Obtaining Energy
Photosynthesis
Chemosynthesis
Key Biological Processes
1. Obtaining energy
Photosynthesis is a complex process
Chloroplasts are organelles containing chlorophyll – the
key pigment that captures a photon of sunlight
a.
CO2 + H2O + Sunlight -> Sugars + O2
There are 4 types of organic compounds
(what makes up organisms)
1. Carbohydrates
Contain: C, H, O
2. Lipids
Contain: C, H, O
3. Nucleic Acids
Contain: C, H, O, N, P
4. Proteins
Contain: C, H, O, N
Functions
Solar energy is converted to chemical
energy that can be used by organisms
Nutrients!
Minerals needed by autotrophs to produce
organic matter
energy source
structure
insulation,
protection,
energy storage
genetic material
control cell activities
structure & function
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Key Biological Processes
Respiration
Key Biological Processes
Maintaining life: Metabolism
Organic matter + O2 -> CO2 + H2O + energy
Primary Production:
Net increase in plant organic matter
Fig. 10.11
The Pelagic Zone (Open Ocean)
Plankton – ‘wanderers’
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Fig. 15.2
Photosynthetic picoplankton: Cyanobacteria
https://www.ted.com/talks/the_secret_life_of_plankton
Phytoplankton: Cyanobacteria
Nitrogen fixers
Trichodesmium
Trubridge video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrXQbucZUDA
Lecture 1 (1/17/17): Study Questions
1. List 5 characteristics that all living organisms share.
2. Define evolution & adaptation.
3. Define: cell membrane, cytoplasm, organelle, prokaryote,
eukaryote
4. What is a major difference between the cells of prokaryotes
& eukaryotes?
5. List the 4 levels of biological organization, from smallest to
largest (hint, starts with cells). Be sure you can define each.
6. What is chlorophyll & what is its purpose?
7. Define photosynthesis & provide the basic equation for it,
providing each needed input & output.
8. Define organic compound & list the 4 types.
9. Define nutrient, providing an example of one. Why are they
needed?
Lecture 1 (1/17/17): Study Questions
10. Define cellular respiration.
11. Write the basic equation for respiration including required
substances and products.
12. Define autotroph vs heterotroph.
13. Define metabolism. How does temperature affect
metabolism?
14. Define pelagic vs. benthic.
15. Define plankton & list the 2 main groups.
16. What are phytoplankton? Why are they important? List 3
types of phytoplankton.
17. What are cyanobacteria? Provide 2 reasons why they are
so important for life in the oceans.
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