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Samford University -- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences
International Studies

Elementary My Dear Watson (and Crick): A British History of Biology and Medicine and How It Was Communicated
Biol 205 (Biology in Great Britain)  Spring 2014  Daniel House, London

Principles of Biology and Medicine

First, let me put your minds at ease: you will not be tested over the material in this review of some basic concepts. However, you may find this information helpful in completing your big and small assignments and it will also form a framework for your experiential learning this semester.

In this course, we are going to be exploring important advancements in biology and medicine more or less from a historical (rather than conceptual) perspective. That is, we are not going to start with the cell, then move to the body, then disease, etc. Rather, we will look at the discoveries in chronological order, so we will be skipping around conceptually from one of these topics to another. So, with that said, what are basic concepts you should keep in mind? I will divide this into two overall categories: Basic Biology and Medicine/Human Anatomy and Physiology.
  • BASIC BIOLOGY
    • Cells: The basic unit of living organisms is the cell. Cell group together in to tissues (like muscular and nervous tissue). Tissues come together to form organs.
      • The Cell Theory:
        • Schleiden and Schwann: All living things are composed of cells.
        • Virchow: All cells come from pre-existing cells.
      • Prokaryotic Cells: The bacteria and the archaea are unicellular organisms. Their cells appear less complex than those of other (eukaryotic) organisms. The cells do not have nuclei and also lack most of the organelles found in higher cells.
      • Eukaryotic Cells: All of the rest of living things, from ameba and paramecium to plants to fungi to animals (including you) are eukaryotes. Their cells have nuclei and numerous organelles. We will look at typical animal cell and a typical plant cell.
        • Animal Cells: We will start our tour of a typical animal cell with the outside and work in. A cell is divided into the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
          • Cytoplasm: The region of the cell outside the nucleus is the cytoplasm (actually including the cell membrane).
            • Cell Membrane: The cell membrane is primarily a phospholipid bilayer with proteins imbedded in it. Carbohydrates are found on the outside of the membrane. Animal cell membranes also have cholesterol imbedded between phospholipids. It regulates what enters and exits the cell.
            • Endoplasmic Reticulum: This network of membranous canals divides the cytoplasm into two spaces: the cytosol and the ER lumen. If ER has ribosomes attached it is rough ER. If not, it is smooth ER.
            • Ribosomes: These tiny organelles have no membrane and are where all proteins are made.
            • Golgi Body: This organelle is a stack of membrane "pancakes" and is associated with secretion.
            • Mitochondria: These membranous organelles are made up of a double membrane and are the site of cellular respiration. (ATP)
            • Lysosomes: These membranous sac are involved with phagocytosis, among other things.
            • Other Organelles and Structures
          • Nucleus:
            • Nuclear Membrane: Surrounding the nucleus is a double membrane with pores. The outer membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum.
            • Nucleolus: This is the ribosome assembly site.
            • Chromosomes: The genetic material that controls cell activity is in the chromosomes. Chromosomes also include protein, especially the protein histone, which coils up the DNA.
        • Plant Cells: In addition to most of the structures above, plant cells also have a cell wall (cellulose and other complex carbohydrates), plastics, including chloroplasts (the site of photosynthesis), and a large central vacuole.
  • MEDICINE/HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
    • Body Cavities: Humans have two major cavities in the body.
      • Thoracic Cavity: This upper cavity contains the lungs and heart.
      • Abdominal cavity: This lower cavity includes most of the other visceral organs (those of the digestive system, the liver, spleen, pancreas, and other organs).Organ Systems: The human body is made up of several organs systems.
    • Integumentary System: The skin
      • Digestive System: Esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and related organs.
      • Cardiovascular System: Heart, blood vessels (arteries and veins).
      • Lymphatic and Immune System: Lymph nodes and vessels, other immune-related organs.
      • Respiratory System: Lungs and related organs (gaseous exchange).
      • Urinary System: Kidneys and related organs (excretion, along with other systems).
      • Skeletal System: Bones and cartilage (muscle attachment and support).
      • Muscular System: The voluntary muscles.
      • Nervous System: The brain, spinal cord, ganglia, and nerves (coordination and integration of function, cognition).
      • Endocrine System: Hormone producing organs (most found in other organ systems: pituitary, ovary, testis, adrenal gland, others).
      • Reproductive System: Testes, ovaries and associated organs. Production gametes, fertilization, early development).

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