BB101
Tutorial 1
8th August 2024
TAs: Pujarini Giri (PG)
Aanchal Kumari (UG)
Lecture 1: Introduction
Lecture 2: Life
Biology is a natural science
You have started learning about biology and maybe later on, will be
involved in biomedical research. You will certainly have many situations
in life where you will have to make decisions on issues that are based in
biology.
Biology is a science just like physics, chemistry and mathematics.
• Which of the four natural sciences mentioned above study
phenomena that span scales of size from nanometers to meters?
• Which of the four natural sciences span scales of size much, much
bigger than meters?
7. Tissues
1. The Biosphere
6. Organs and Organ
2. Ecosystems Systems
50 µm
10 mm
5. Organisms
In BB101, we
3. Communities will tell you a
lot about this,
8. Cells
and a little
10. Molecules
about the rest.
Field of vision: same
Depth of focus: variable 1 mm
4. Populations 9. Organelles
Figure 1.4 of Campbell’s Biology: a global approach
Biological phenomena span a wide range of length and time scales
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These three mammals show large variation in size
A blue whale Average human
Pygmy shrew on
110 tons
a human hand
82 ft long
1.3 grams
36 mm long
All are mammals
By Suncus_etruscus.jpg: Trebol-aderivative work: Materialscientist (talk) - Suncus_etruscus.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, By Kurzon - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
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Answer the questions
Biology is a natural science
Biology is a science just like physics, chemistry and mathematics.
Biology is a vocabulary-rich science. You will learn about DNA, proteins,
mitochondria, organs, etc.
• Give 2 scientific names each from physics and chemistry.
Biology does not require memorization. In this class, we emphasize
concepts. The quizzes and exams will test this, not memorization.
Explore Form hypothesis
Discover Validate by experiments
Societal benefits Push the boundaries
of knowledge
Answer the questions
You start reading about biology
You find research about an “immune system” used by bacteria that
helps them to destroy viruses that invade them. This is called CRISPR
and you will learn details in BB101.
• Place this on the Stokes’ quadrant and briefly explain your choice.
You read more about this bacterial “immune system” and find that the
components of the system are now being used to modify the DNA of
patients suffering from sickle cell disease and cure them.
• Would you like to change your location of this research on the Stokes’
quadrant? Briefly explain your choice.
Quadrant proposed by Stokes
Biology
Curie quadrant Pasteur quadrant
Advancing knowledge
Pure basic research Use-inspired basic research
No relevance to practical issues High relevance to practical issues
Exploration quadrant Doll quadrant
Curiosity quadrant Pure applied research
Waste quadrant? Address practical issues
Immediate application
You read more about biology…
Viruses cause many human diseases: SARS CoV2, HIV,
flu, cough and cold, etc.
Are viruses alive?
Are computer viruses alive?
Order
High school mnemonic: MRS GREN
M Movement
Regulation
R Respiration
Evolutionary Reproduction S Sensitivity
adaptation G Growth
R Reproduction
E Excretion
N Nutrition
Energy processing
Response
to the
Growth and environment
development
Mnemonic from Paul Nurse’s book “What is life”?
Figure 1.2 in Biology. A global approach by Campbell et al., Global Ed.
As quoted by Paul Nurse in his book (p190)
Nobel prize in physiology or medicine (2001)
A bounded physical entity i.e., is distinct from surroundings
Information (e.g., DNA) carrier – passed on to the progeny
Communicate with the environment
Published in 2020
• Acquire energy and nutrients, excrete metabolic waste
Self-sufficiency – grow and reproduce
• Self-sufficiency in what / which way?
As quoted by Paul Nurse in his book “What is life”?
Section 3 (15 minutes):
Quiz (total of 2 marks)
