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Montgomery County Community College

BIO 151
Principles of Biology I
4-3-3

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the study of life as it applies to all organisms. Primary emphasis is
given to biological chemistry, energy & metabolism, cell structure & function, cell
reproduction and the classical and molecular aspects of genetics. Laboratory requires
hands on experiments related to the course content. This course is subject to a course
fee. Refer to [Link] for current rates.

REQUISITES:
Previous Course Requirements
 CHE 121 General Chemistry - Inorganic, CHE 131 Chemistry for Technology I, or
CHE 151 Principles of Chemistry I with a minimum grade of “C” within the last
five (5) years
 BIO 121 General Biology I with a minimum grade of “C” within the last five (5)
years

Concurrent Course Requirements

None

COURSE COMMENTS
 High School Chemistry taken within the last five years, with a minimum grade of
“C” is accepted in place of CHE 121
 A passing grade on the MCCC Biology Placement Tes may be substituted for BIO
121

LEARNING OUTCOMES LEARNING ACTIVITIES EVALUATION METHODS
Upon successful
completion of this course,
the student will be able to:
1. Apply the scientific Lectures Quizzes
method. Class Discussions Exams
Comprehension of Current Homework
Articles, Reviews or Primary
Literature in Biology
Laboratory Activities
2. Describe the Lectures Quizzes
characteristics that all Class Discussions Exams
organisms have in Comprehension of Current Homework
common. Articles, Reviews or Primary
Literature in Biology
Laboratory Activities

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LEARNING OUTCOMES LEARNING ACTIVITIES EVALUATION METHODS

3. Explain the relationship Lectures Quizzes
between the principles Class Discussions Exams
of biological chemistry Comprehension of Current Homework
and an organism’s Articles, Reviews or Primary
metabolism. Literature in Biology
Laboratory Activities
4. Explain or analyze how Lectures Quizzes
the basic structure of Class Discussions Exams
cells, membranes and Comprehension of Current Homework
organelles impact the Articles, Reviews or Primary
ability for them to Literature in Biology
function individually as Laboratory Activities
well as in an integrated
fashion.
5. Explain or analyze the Lectures Quizzes
processes of cellular Class Discussions Exams
reproduction as it Comprehension of Current Homework
applies to the Articles, Reviews or Primary
production of both Literature in Biology
vegetative and Laboratory Activities
reproductive cells.
6. Apply the principles of Lectures Quizzes
cell metabolism to Class Discussions Exams
enzymatic activity, Comprehension of Current Homework
energy, Articles, Reviews or Primary
photosynthesis and Literature in Biology
cellular respiration Laboratory Activities
7. Explain the relationship Lectures Quizzes
between classical Class Discussions Exams
hereditary Comprehension of Current Homework
mechanisms and the Articles, Reviews or Primary
structure and function Literature in Biology
of organisms. Laboratory Activities
8. Apply knowledge of the Lectures Quizzes
basic process involved Class Discussions Exams
in the central dogma of Comprehension of Current Homework
biology to the Articles, Reviews or Primary
mechanisms in Literature in Biology
prokaryotes and Laboratory Activities
eukaryotes.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES LEARNING ACTIVITIES EVALUATION METHODS

9. Apply all of the above Lectures Quizzes
to higher order Class Discussions Exams
applications and Comprehension of Current Homework
analysis, where Articles, Reviews or Primary
applicable. Literature in Biology
Laboratory Activities
Laboratory Lectures Quizzes
10. Use the binocular Class Discussions Exams
microscope to identify Comprehension of Current Homework
cellular features. Articles, Reviews or Primary
Literature in Biology
Laboratory Activities
11. Set up various Lectures Quizzes
laboratory Class Discussions Exams
apparatuses, as Comprehension of Current Homework
described in the list of Articles, Reviews or Primary
laboratory section, Literature in Biology
collect data and draw Laboratory Activities
conclusions.
12. Perform biological Lectures Quizzes
assays, as described Class Discussions Exams
in the list of Comprehension of Current Homework
laboratories. Articles, Reviews or Primary
Literature in Biology
Laboratory Activities
13. Apply knowledge of Lectures Quizzes
scientific method to Class Discussions Exams
laboratory experiments Comprehension of Current Homework
Articles, Reviews or Primary
Literature in Biology
Laboratory Activities
14. Support opinions Lectures Laboratory Exercises and
concerning Class Discussions Reports
contemporary Field Trips Quizzes and Exams
biological issues Class Presentations Essays
utilizing relevant
resources.
At the conclusion of each semester/session, assessment of the learning outcomes will
be completed by course faculty using the listed evaluation method(s). Aggregated
results will be submitted to the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. The
benchmark for each learning outcome is that 70% of students will meet or exceed
outcome criteria.

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SEQUENCE OF TOPICS1:
I. Introduction to Biology
A. Characteristics of life
B. Introduction to taxonomy / phylogeny
C. Scientific method
D. Evolution and adaptation
E. Biological organization
F. Interrelationships of organisms: introduction to energy & trophic levels
II. Introductory Chemistry
A. Composition of matter
B. Atomic structure
C. Molecules and compounds
D. Chemical Bonding
1. Polar and nonpolar covalent bonding
2. Ionic bonding
3. Hydrogen bonding
E. Oxidation and Reduction
F. Acids and Bases; including relative strengths and the pH scale
G. Inorganic and organic compounds
H. Water: characteristics and importance
III. Organic Chemistry
A. Importance of characteristics of carbon
B. Complexity of Structure
C. Condensation / dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis / digestion reactions
1. Examples
2. Role of enzymes
3. Relationship to genetic control
D. Functional groups
E. Monomers, dimers, oligomers & polymers as they relate to
macromolecules; recognition of structures, as appropriate
F. Carbohydrates
1. Elemental and molecular composition
2. Types of carbohydrates
a. monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides and
polysaccharides
b. structure and importance of examples given
G. Lipids
1. Elemental and molecular composition
2. Types of lipids
a. fatty acids, triglyerides, phospholipids, steroids and
eicosinoids
b. structure and importance of examples given
H. Proteins
1. Elemental and molecular composition
2. Classes of amino acids (polar, non-polar, ionic)
1
Presented at or above the depth of the current textbook

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3. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quarternary structure

4. Types of proteins
a. structural proteins, globular, transport, etc.
b. structure and importance of examples given
I. Nucleotides
1. Elemental and molecular composition
2. Energy and signaling nucleotides
a. ATP, GTP, cyclic AMP
b. structure and importance of examples given
3. Types of nucleotides that function in polymers
a. DNA, RNA
b. introduction to structure and function
IV. Cell Structure
A. Cell Types, Structure and Function
1. Prokaryote – brief intro to Bacteria & Archaea
2. Eukaryote
B. Common Characteristics
C. Membrane Structure and Function
1. Fluid mosaic model
2. Types of lipids, proteins
3. Experiments involved in deduction of the model
D. Cytoplasmic Structures
1.. Examples, structure & functions
2. Interrelationships / systems biology of cells
E. Endomembrane System
1. Structure & functions
2. Secretory pathway; including signal peptides
F. The nucleus
1. Nuclear membrane, pores
2. Nucleoplasm, nucleolus, chromatin
G. Energy organelles
1. Mitochondria
2. Chloroplasts
3. Endosymbiotic theory
V. Transport in cells
A. Membrane Structure and Function
B. Diffusion
1. Kinetic energy, equilibrium, concentration gradients
2. Applications
C. Osmosis
1. Definition, importance
2. Tonicity; applications and cells
D. Facilitated Diffusion
E. Active Transport
F. Endocytosis: Phagocytosis, Pinocytosis & Receptor Mediated
G. Exocytosis

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H. Intercellular Junctions: tight junctions, desmosomes, etc.

VI. Energy & Enzymes
A. Definition and Laws of Thermodynamics
B. Exergonic/Endergonic Reactions
C. ATP – function, ATP / ADP Cycle
D. Enzymes
1. Structure, active site
2. Mechanism: induced fit, kinetics, VMax, etc.
3. Factors affecting enzyme activity
4. Allosteric regulation
5. Introduction to ribozymes
VII. Photosynthesis
A. Defined
B. Importance to Plant
C. Importance to All Organisms
D. Structure
1. Leaf
2. Plastids
3. Pigments / types and roles, absorbance spectra
4. Electromagnetic spectrum
E. Light Dependent Reactions
1. Photolysis
2. Photophosphorylation
3. NADP reduction
4. Chemiosmotic gradient
5. Electron transport
6. Comparison of cyclic and non-cyclic reactions
7. Coupling with light independent reactions
F. Light Independent Reactions
1. Calvin cycle
2. Products
3. Coupling with light reactions
G. Problems and adaptations with photosynthesis.
1. Photorespiration
2. C4 pathway: main reactions, spatial separation, types of plants
3. CAM pathway: main reactions, temporal separation, types of plants
VIII. Cellular Respiration
A. Anaerobic
1. Defined
2. Phases of glycolysis: activation, cleavage, oxidation, substrate
level phosphorylation
3. Efficiency
4. Allosteric regulation
B. Aerobic
1. Defined
2. Pyruvate oxidation / transition reaction

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3. Krebs / Citrate Cycle – types of reactions, e.g. decarboxylation,

dehydrogenation, etc.
4. Electron transport system: principle, role of O2, chemiosmosis
5. Efficiency and yields
C. Intermediary metabolism
1. Lipid anabolism and catabolism; beta oxidation, etc.
2. Amino acid anabolism and catabolism
IX. Cell Division & Chromosomes
A. Chromosome structure; compare prokaryotes and eukaryotes
1. Histones, nucleosomes, etc.
2. Centromeres & telomeres: function and importance
B. Gross chromosomal mutations
C Cell Cycle
1. Events of all phases; significance of Go
2. Regulation: main checkpoints and main role of cyclins, cdks, etc.
D. Binary fission in prokaryotes and energy organelles
E. Mitosis
1. All phases and events
2. Cytokinesis – differences in plants and animals
3. Differentiation
F. Meiosis
1. Meiosis I & II – phases: crossing over, independent assortment
2. Cytokinesis
X. Molecular Genetics
A. DNA
1. Structure
2. Replication; include major factors, helicase, etc.
3. Differences in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
B. Gene structure; promoters, coding regions, terminators; differences in
prokaryotes and eukaryotes
C. Transcription and processing
1. RNA polymerase, transcription factors
2. Post-transcriptional modification; intron splicing (process and
importance), polyadenylation
D. Translation
1. Types of RNA and their roles
2. Ribosomes
E. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes
1. Lac operon; history, introduction to the genetics
2. Negative control: Induction and repression
3. Positive control: role of cAMP
F. Regulation of gene expression eukaryotes
1. Transcriptional control
3. Post transcriptional control: alternative splicing, etc.
4. Translation control
5. Chromatin remodeling

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G. DNA Mutations
1. Types and their importance; point mutation – silent, nonsense,
missense; frameshift
XI. Classical Genetics
A. Mendel
1. Experimentation and Principles of inheritance
2. Law of segregation
3. Law of independent assortment
B. Crosses
1. Probability
2. Monohybrid
3. Dihybrid
4. Sex linkage
5. Autosomal linkage
C. Genetic linkage mapping
D. Polygenic Inheritance
E. Epistasis
XII. Recombinant DNA and Genomics
A. Restriction Enzymes
B. Standard Cloning Techniques
C. Polymerase Chain Reaction
D. Applications of recombinant DNA and genomics
1. Biotechnology
2. Transgenic Organisms
3. Genetic screening / DNA diagnostics
4. DNA sequencing and genomics

GENERAL WET LABORATORY TOPICS2

I. Identification and quantitation of macromolecules –spectrophotometry and

construction of standard curves with MS Excel
II. Detection of enzymes and factors influencing enzyme activity
III. Microscopy & examination of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
IV. Culture and examination of bacteria
V. Osmosis & diffusion in cells and model organisms
VI. Quantitation of anaerobic and aerobic respiration
VII. Photosynthesis – chlorophyll analysis and measurement of light
independent reactions
VIII. Isolation of DNA
IX. Transformation of bacteria with plasmid DNA
X. DNA electrophoresis and mock DNA fingerprinting

LEARNING MATERIALS:

2
Note there may be slight variation

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Textbook:
Campbell Biology, 10th Edition, 2011, Reece, [Link]. Benjamin Cummings Publishing.

Lab Manual:

Individual Laboratory Outlines will be distributed electronically or in class

Other learning materials may be required and made available directly to the student
and/or via the College’s Libraries and/or course management system.

COURSE APPROVAL:
Prepared by: R. Wayne Habermehl Date: 6/1/1998
Professor of Biological Sciences
Revised by: Christopher J. Harendza, Ph.D. Date: 10/22/2004
Associate Professor and Coordinator of Biology
Revised by: Christopher J. Harendza, Ph.D. Date: 7/22/2012
Interim Dean STEM & Professor of Biology
Revised by: Christopher Harendza, Ph.D. Date: 10/30/2012
VPAA/Provost or designee Compliance Verification:
Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, Ed.D. Date: 5/23/2013

Revised by: Christopher Harendza, Ph.D. Date: 3/14/2016

VPAA/Provost or designee Compliance Verification:
Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, Ed.D. Date: 3/15/2016

Revised by: Debbie Dalrymple . Date: 06/27/2016

VPAA/Provost or designee Compliance Verification:
Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, Ed.D. Date: 06/27/2016

Revised by: Wendy Zoll-Fillgrove and Debbie Dalrymple Date: 1/27/2018

VPAA/Provost or designee Compliance Verification: Date: 1/30/2018

This course is consistent with Montgomery County Community College’s mission. It

was developed, approved and will be delivered in full compliance with the policies and
procedures established by the College.

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