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BIOL 201

Diversity of Life I

Historical course

2018-2019

Topics

  • Systematics and Viruses
  • Differing concepts of ‘species’
  • Systematics (Taxonomy plus Phylogenetics)
  • Hierarchical classification
  • system. Viruses – Characteristics, Origins, Impacts on living organisms, Structure, Bacteriophage life
  • cycle, Development of virus defence strategies (vaccines etc.). Case study: Influenza virus (antigenic
  • Bacteria, Archaea and the Eukaryotic Domains
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (I)
  • Why study prokaryotes? Biological characteristics
  • What are the implications of being microscopically
  • small? Prokaryotic lifestyles
  • Fundamentals of nutrition and energetics
  • Reproduction
  • Population
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (II) and Archaea
  • What are the principal differences between Bacteria and Archaea? Gram’s stain. Archaea - structural
  • features and functional groups
  • Bacteria – dormancy phases (endospores). Chemoheterotrophs
  • (decomposers)
  • Respiration vs. Fermentation
  • Bacterial roles in food production
  • Symbionts, Parasites
  • Prokaryotes versus Eukaryotes: Differences in cellular structure, similarities in biochemistry
  • Light energy and implications for aquatic photosynthetic organisms (Algae). Ecology and physiology
  • Dinoflagellate structural and metabolic characteristics
  • reproduction. Biological features underlying
  • dinoflagellate ‘red tides’, and impacts on food webs including humans. Coral reefs: structure, ecology
  • Phylogenetics/Evolution conundrum: How come Dinoflagellates photosynthesize but evolved as a separate
  • alternation of generations, and discussion of possible selective forces giving rise to same. Ecology
  • Red algae: Major ecological and structural features
  • Photosynthesis characteristics. Reproduction
  • asexual, alternation of generations (isomorphic and heteromorphic). Why has sporic meiosis
  • Fungi so species-rich (second only to insects in species number)? Fungal reproduction and genetics
  • Ascomycota (sac fungi): Major biological features. Reproduction: Ploidy and the life cycle of an
  • mutualism/parasitism enigma
  • Lichen ecology and uses. Mycorrhizae: Functional impacts on soil-plant
  • relationships. Major features of Arbuscular and Ectomycorrhizae. The ‘wood-wide web’: implications
  • for forest community ecology below- and aboveground ecology. The potential role of lichens and
  • mycorrhizae in enabling ancestral algae to colonise land, leading to the evolution and diversification
  • Synthesis and Review
  • Origin, evolution, and classification of land plants
  • Vascular Plants: Origin, Evolution, and Structure
  • roots, evolution of the axis (height, girth)
  • evolution of vascular tissue(stele, tracheids, vessels
  • secondary growth)
  • bark (periderm)
  • evolution of the leaf (microphyll, megaphyll)
  • reduction in size
  • and life span of gametophyte generation and increasing dependence on sporophyte
  • loss of sperm

Readings

  • Listed material: Raven Biology of Plants, 8th Edition. 2013. Evert and Eichhorn. Freeman Press.
2017-2018

Topics

  • Systematics and Viruses
  • Differing concepts of ‘species’
  • Systematics (Taxonomy plus Phylogenetics)
  • Hierarchical classification
  • system. Viruses – Characteristics, Origins, Impacts on living organisms, Structure, Bacteriophage life
  • cycle, Development of virus defence strategies (vaccines etc.). Case study: Influenza virus (antigenic
  • Bacteria, Archaea and the Eukaryotic Domains
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (I)
  • Why study prokaryotes? Biological characteristics
  • What are the implications of being microscopically
  • small? Prokaryotic lifestyles
  • Fundamentals of nutrition and energetics
  • Reproduction
  • Population
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (II) and Archaea
  • What are the principal differences between Bacteria and Archaea? Gram’s stain. Archaea - structural
  • features and functional groups
  • Bacteria – dormancy phases (endospores). Chemoheterotrophs
  • (decomposers)
  • Respiration vs. Fermentation
  • Bacterial roles in food production
  • Symbionts, Parasites
  • Prokaryotes versus Eukaryotes: Differences in cellular structure, similarities in biochemistry
  • Light energy and implications for aquatic photosynthetic organisms (Algae). Ecology and physiology
  • Dinoflagellate structural and metabolic characteristics
  • reproduction. Biological features underlying
  • dinoflagellate ‘red tides’, and impacts on food webs including humans. Coral reefs: structure, ecology
  • Phylogenetics/Evolution conundrum: How come Dinoflagellates photosynthesize but evolved as a separate
  • alternation of generations, and discussion of possible selective forces giving rise to same. Ecology
  • Red algae: Major ecological and structural features
  • Photosynthesis characteristics. Reproduction
  • asexual, alternation of generations (isomorphic and heteromorphic). Why has sporic meiosis
  • Fungi so species-rich (second only to insects in species number)? Fungal reproduction and genetics
  • Ascomycota (sac fungi): Major biological features. Reproduction: Ploidy and the life cycle of an
  • mutualism/parasitism enigma
  • Lichen ecology and uses. Mycorrhizae: Functional impacts on soil-plant
  • relationships. Major features of Arbuscular and Ectomycorrhizae. The ‘wood-wide web’: implications
  • for forest community ecology below- and aboveground ecology. The potential role of lichens and
  • mycorrhizae in enabling ancestral algae to colonise land, leading to the evolution and diversification
  • Synthesis and Review
  • Origin, evolution, and classification of land plants
  • Vascular Plants: Origin, Evolution, and Structure
  • roots, evolution of the axis (height, girth)
  • evolution of vascular tissue(stele, tracheids, vessels
  • secondary growth)
  • bark (periderm)
  • evolution of the leaf (microphyll, megaphyll)
  • reduction in size
  • and life span of gametophyte generation and increasing dependence on sporophyte
  • loss of sperm

Readings

  • Listed material: Raven Biology of Plants, 8th Edition. 2013. Evert and Eichhorn. Freeman Press.
2016-2017

Topics

  • Systematics and Viruses
  • Differing concepts of ‘species’
  • Systematics (Taxonomy plus Phylogenetics)
  • Hierarchical classification
  • system. Viruses – Characteristics, Origins, Impacts on living organisms, Structure, Bacteriophage life cycle
  • Bacteria, Archaea and the Eukaryotic Domains
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (I)
  • Prokaryotic lifestyles
  • Fundamentals of nutrition and energetics
  • Reproduction
  • Population growth in
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (II) and Archaea
  • What are the principal differences between Bacteria and Archaea? Gram’s stain. Archaea -structural
  • features and functional groups
  • Bacteria – dormancy phases (endospores). Chemoheterotrophs
  • (decomposers)
  • Respiration vs. Fermentation
  • Bacterial roles in food production
  • Symbionts, Parasites and
  • Prokaryotes versus Eukaryotes: Differences in cellular structure, similarities in biochemistry
  • Distinctive
  • mechanisms in eukaryotes (ploidy and life stage metamorphoses)
  • Zygotic, Sporic and Gametic meiosis
  • implications for aquatic photosynthetic organisms (Algae). Ecology and physiology of algae parallels that of
  • Dinoflagellate structural and metabolic characteristics
  • reproduction. Biological features underlying
  • dinoflagellate ‘red tides’, and impacts on foodwebs including humans. Coral reefs: structure, ecology and
  • Phylogenetics/Evolution enigma: How come Dinoflagellates photosynthesize but evolved as a separate group
  • Red algae: Major ecological and structural features
  • Photosynthesis characteristics. Reproduction – asexual
  • alternation of generations (isomorphic and heteromorphic). Why has sporic meiosis (alternation of
  • (second only to insects in species number)? Fungal reproduction and genetics (cytoplasmic and nuclear
  • mutualism/parasitism enigma
  • Lichen ecology and uses. Mycorrhizae: Functional impacts on soil-plant
  • relationships. Major features of Arbuscular and Ectomycorrhizae. The ‘wood-wide web’: implications for
  • Synthesis and Review
  • Origin, evolution, and classification of land plants
  • Vascular Plants: Origin, Evolution, and Structure
  • Evolution of the Seed Plants
  • The race to the canopy. Progymnosperms. The seed habit compared with Pteridophytes. Heterospory and
  • megsporangium. Seed versus ovule. Interpretation of integument. Evolution of the pollen grain/male
  • Origin and Evolution of Angiosperms
  • Pollen development: microsporogenesis
  • microgametogenesis. Embryo sac development
  • development: interpretation of endosperm
  • comparison with gymnosperms. The Fruit. Summary
  • Selection for reproductive economy hypothesis. Evolution of clonality and selfing. Relationship between
  • functional plant size and zygote product longevity in the evolution of plant strategies. Physical-space-niche

Readings

  • Listed material: Raven Biology of Plants, 8th Edition. 2013. Evert and Eichhorn. Freeman Press.
2015-2016

Topics

  • Systematics and Viruses
  • Differing concepts of ‘species’
  • Systematics (Taxonomy plus Phylogenetics)
  • Hierarchical classification
  • system. Viruses – Characteristics, Origins, Impacts on living organisms, Structure, Bacteriophage life cycle
  • Bacteria, Archaea and the Eukaryotic Domains
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (I)
  • Prokaryotic lifestyles
  • Fundamentals of nutrition and energetics
  • Reproduction
  • Population growth in
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (II) and Archaea
  • What are the principal differences between Bacteria and Archaea? Gram’s stain. Archaea -structural
  • features and functional groups
  • Bacteria – dormancy phases (endospores). Chemoheterotrophs
  • (decomposers)
  • Respiration vs. Fermentation
  • Bacterial roles in food production
  • Symbionts, Parasites and
  • Prokaryotes versus Eukaryotes: Differences in cellular structure, similarities in biochemistry
  • Distinctive
  • mechanisms in eukaryotes (ploidy and life stage metamorphoses)
  • Zygotic, Sporic and Gametic meiosis
  • implications for aquatic photosynthetic organisms (Algae). Ecology and physiology of algae parallels that of
  • Dinoflagellate structural and metabolic characteristics
  • reproduction. Biological features underlying
  • dinoflagellate ‘red tides’, and impacts on foodwebs including humans. Coral reefs: structure, ecology and
  • Phylogenetics/Evolution enigma: How come Dinoflagellates photosynthesize but evolved as a separate group
  • Red algae: Major ecological and structural features
  • Photosynthesis characteristics. Reproduction – asexual
  • alternation of generations (isomorphic and heteromorphic). Why has sporic meiosis (alternation of
  • (second only to insects in species number)? Fungal reproduction and genetics (cytoplasmic and nuclear
  • mutualism/parasitism enigma
  • Lichen ecology and uses. Mycorrhizae: Functional impacts on soil-plant
  • relationships. Major features of Arbuscular and Ectomycorrhizae. The ‘wood-wide web’: implications for
  • Synthesis and Review
  • Origin, evolution, and classification of land plants
  • Vascular Plants: Origin, Evolution, and Structure
  • Evolution of the Seed Plants
  • The race to the canopy. Progymnosperms. The seed habit compared with Pteridophytes. Heterospory and
  • megsporangium. Seed versus ovule. Interpretation of integument. Evolution of the pollen grain/male
  • Origin and Evolution of Angiosperms
  • Pollen development: microsporogenesis
  • microgametogenesis. Embryo sac development
  • development: interpretation of endosperm
  • comparison with gymnosperms. The Fruit. Summary
  • Selection for reproductive economy hypothesis. Evolution of clonality and selfing. Relationship between
  • functional plant size and zygote product longevity in the evolution of plant strategies. Physical-space-niche

Readings

  • Listed material: Raven Biology of Plants, 8th Edition. 2013. Evert and Eichhorn. Freeman Press.
2014-2015

Topics

  • Systematics and Viruses
  • Differing concepts of ‘species’
  • Systematics (Taxonomy plus Phylogenetics)
  • Hierarchical classification
  • system. Viruses – Characteristics, Origins, Impacts on living organisms, Structure, Bacteriophage life cycle
  • Bacteria, Archaebacteria and the Prokaryotic Domains
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (I)
  • Prokaryotic lifestyles
  • Fundamentals of nutrition and energetics
  • Reproduction
  • Population growth in
  • Prokaryotes: Bacteria (II) and Archaea
  • What are the principal differences between Bacteria and Archaea? Gram’s stain. Archaea -structural features
  • and functional groups
  • Bacteria – dormancy phases (endospores).Chemoheterotrophs (decomposers)
  • Respiration vs. Fermentation
  • Bacterial roles in food production
  • Symbionts, Parasites and Pathogens
  • Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes: Differences in cellular structure, similarities in biochemistry
  • Distinctive
  • mechanisms in eukaryotes (ploidy and life stage metamorphoses)
  • Zygotic, Sporic and Gametic meiosis
  • Dinoflagellate structural and metabolic characteristics
  • reproduction. Biological features underlying
  • dinoflagellate ‘red tides’, and impacts on foodwebs including humans. Coral reefs: structure, ecology and
  • Phylogenetics/Evolution enigma: How come Dinoflagellates photosynthesize but evolved as a separate
  • Red algae: Major ecological and structural features
  • Photosynthesis characteristics. Reproduction – asexual
  • alternation of generations (isomorphic and heteromorphic). Why has sporic meiosis (alternation of
  • mutualism/parasitism enigma
  • Lichen ecology and uses. Mycorrhizae: Functional impacts on soilplant
  • relationships. Major features of Arbuscular and Ectomycorrhizae. The ‘wood-wide web’: implications for
  • Origin, evolution, and classification of land plants
  • Vascular Plants: Origin, Evolution, and Structure
  • Evolution of the Seed Plants
  • The race to the canopy. Progymnosperms. The seed habit compared with Pteridophytes. Heterospory and
  • megsporangium. Seed versus ovule. Interpretation of integument. Evolution of the pollen grain/male
  • Origin and Evolution of Angiosperms
  • Pollen development: microsporogenesis
  • microgametogenesis. Embryo sac development
  • development: interpretation of endosperm
  • comparison with gymnosperms. The Fruit. Summary
  • Selection for reproductive economy hypothesis. Evolution of clonality and selfing. Relationship between
  • functional plant size and zygote product longevity in the evolution of plant strategies. Physical-space-niche
  • Natural selection
  • Learning
  • Physiology

Readings

  • Listed material: Raven, Evert and Eichhorn: Biology of Plants, 8th Edition, Freeman and Company Publishers. The current Lab Manual is also required.
2013-2014

Topics

  • Differing concepts of ‘species’
  • Systematics (Taxonomy plus Phylogenetics)
  • Hierarchical classification
  • Bacteria, Archaebacteria and the Prokaryotic Domains. Bacterial cell structure, size, shape, nutrition and
  • Bacteria - Interactions
  • Bacteria – More Interactions
  • Biochemical, physiological and ecological contrasts with bacteria. Systematics of Archaea. Physiological
  • Viruses
  • Eukaryote systematics. General features of protists. Alternation of generations and why it might have
  • Origin, evolution, and classification of land plants
  • Vascular Plants: Origin, Evolution, and Structure
  • Evolution of the Seed Plants
  • The race to the canopy. Progymnosperms. The seed habit compared with Pteridophytes. Heterospory and
  • megsporangium. Seed versus ovule. Interpretation of integument. Evolution of the pollen grain/male
  • Origin and Evolution of Angiosperms
  • Pollen development: microsporogenesis
  • microgametogenesis. Embryo sac development
  • development: interpretation of endosperm
  • comparison with gymnosperms. The Fruit. Summary
  • Selection for reproductive economy hypothesis. Evolution of clonality and selfing. Relationship between
  • functional plant size and zygote product longevity in the evolution of plant strategies. Physical-space-niche
  • Natural selection
  • Learning
  • Genomics
  • Ecology
  • Reproductive biology
  • Photosynthesis
  • Reduction
  • Life span

Readings

  • Listed material: Raven, Evert and Eichhorn: Biology of Plants, 8th Edition, Freeman and Company Publishers. The current Lab Manual is also required.
Sources