BIOLOGY Volume 1 - A Guide to General Biology - 2004

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

1. INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY

2. THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE ON EARTH

   2.1. Classification

     2.1.1. Why is it needed?

     2.1.2. Taxonomy

     2.1.3. Taxonomic hierarchy

     2.1.4. Species

     2.1.5. Artificial and natural classification

     2.1.6. Identification of organisms and keys

   2.2. The five kingdoms

   2.3. Prokaryotes

     2.3.1. Bacterial structure

     2.3.2. Cell shapes

     2.3.3. Reproduction

     2.3.4. Nutrition

     2.3.5. Bacterial population growth

   2.4. Viruses

     2.4.1. Discovery

     2.4.2. Properties of viruses

     2.4.3. Bacteriophage life cycle

     2.4.4. Viruses as disease-causing agents

     2.4.5. Structure and life cycle of a retrovirus: HIV as an example

   2.5. Kingdom Fungi

     2.5.1. Taxonomy and General Characteristics of Fungi

     2.5.2. Structure

     2.5.3. Nutrition

   2.6. Kingdom Protoctista

     2.6.1. Taxonomy and Characteristics of Protoctists

     2.6.2. Phylum Oomycota

     2.6.3. Algae

     2.6.4. Phylum Chlorophyta (Green Algae)

     2.6.5. Phylum Phaeophyta (Brown Algae)

     2.6.6. Protozoans

     2.6.7. Phylum Ciliophora (Ciliates)

     2.6.8. Phylum Apicomplexa

   2.7. Kingdom Plantae

     2.7.1. Phylum Bryophyta (Liverworts and Mosses)

     2.7.2. Phylum Filicinophyta (Ferns)

     2.7.3. Seed Plants

     2.7.4. Phylum Coniferophyta (Conifers)

     2.7.5. Phylum Angiospermophytae (Angiosperms or Flowering Plants)

     2.7.6. Plant Adaptations to Terrestrial Life

     2.7.7. Summary of Seed Plant Adaptations to Terrestrial Life

   2.8. Kingdom Animalia

     2.8.1. Evolutionary Trends

     2.8.2. Phylum Cnidaria

     2.8.3. Phylum Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)

     2.8.4. Phylum Nematoda (Nematodes or Roundworms)

     2.8.5. Phylum Annelida (annelids, or segmented worms)

     2.8.6. Phylum Arthropoda (arthropods)

     2.8.7. Phylum Mollusca (molluscs)

     2.8.8. Phylum Echinodermata (echinoderms)

     2.8.9. Phylum Chordata (chordates)

3. CHEMICAL COMPONENTS OF LIVING ORGANISMS

   3.1. Introduction to Biochemistry

     3.1.1. Elements found in living organisms

     3.1.2. Biological molecules

     3.1.3. Macromolecules

   3.2. Carbohydrates

     3.2.1. Monosaccharides

     3.2.2. Disaccharides

     3.2.3. Polysaccharides

     3.2.4. Polysaccharide-related substances

   3.3. Lipids

     3.3.1. Lipid components

     3.3.2. Formation of lipids

     3.3.3. Properties and functions of triglycerides

     3.3.4. Phospholipids

     3.3.5. Glycolipids

   3.4. Amino Acids

     3.4.1. Structure and classification of amino acids

     3.4.2. Amphoteric nature of amino acids

     3.4.3. Bonds occurring in protein molecules

   3.5. Proteins

     3.5.1. Sizes of protein molecules

     3.5.2. Classification of proteins

     3.5.3. Protein structure

     3.5.4. Protein denaturation and renaturation

   3.6. DNA and RNA - nucleic acids

     3.6.1. Structure of nucleotides

     3.6.2. Formation of dinucleotides and polynucleotides

     3.6.3. DNA structure

     3.6.4. RNA structure

   3.7. Determination of biomolecules

4. ENZYMES

   4.1. Properties of enzymes

     4.1.1. Activation energy

     4.1.2. Mechanism of enzyme action

   4.2. Enzyme reaction rates

   4.3. Factors affecting enzyme reaction rates

     4.3.1. Enzyme concentration

     4.3.2. Substrate concentration

     4.3.3. Temperature

     4.3.4. pH

     4.3.5. Laboratory work

   4.4. Enzyme inhibition

     4.4.1. Competitive inhibition

     4.4.2. Non-competitive reversible inhibition

     4.4.3. Non-competitive irreversible inhibition

     4.4.4. Allosteric enzymes

   4.5. Enzyme cofactors

     4.5.1. Inorganic ions (enzyme activators)

     4.5.2. Prosthetic groups (e.g., FAD, heme)

     4.5.3. Coenzymes (e.g., NAD, NADP, acetyl-CoA, ATP)

5. CELLS

   5.1. The cell concept

     5.1.1. Why cells?

   5.2. Cells under the light microscope

   5.3. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes

   5.4. Cellular compartments and division of labor

   5.5. Units of measurement

   5.6. Electron microscopy

     5.6.1. The electron microscope

     5.6.2. Resolution and magnification

     5.6.3. Operating principles and limitations of the electron microscope

     5.6.4. Scanning electron microscope

   5.7. Cell fractionation

   5.8. Ultrastructure of animal and plant cells

   5.9. Cell membranes

     5.9.1. Membranes are selectively permeable

     5.9.2. Membranes contain proteins and lipids

     5.9.3. Phospholipids

     5.9.4. Proteins

     5.9.5. Glycolipids and Cholesterol

     5.9.6. Fluid-Mosaic Membrane Model

     5.9.7. Membrane Functions

     5.9.8. Transport Across the Plasma Membrane

   5.10. Cellular Structures

     5.10.1. Nucleus

     5.10.2. Cytoplasm

     5.10.3. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

     5.10.4. Ribosomes

     5.10.5. Golgi Apparatus

     5.10.6. Lysosomes

     5.10.7. Microtubules

     5.10.8. Microvilli

     5.10.9. Mitochondria

     5.10.10. Cell Walls

     5.10.11. Plasmodesmata

     5.10.12. Vacuoles

     5.10.13. Chloroplasts

   5.11. Using a Hand Lens and Microscope

     5.11.1. Hand Lens

     5.11.2. Light Microscope

   5.12. Microscopic Techniques

     5.12.1. Preparation of Material for Microscopy

     5.12.2. Permanent Mounts

     5.12.3. Temporary Mounts

   5.13. Drawings in biology

6. HISTOLOGY

   6.1. Simple plant tissues (tissues composed of cells of a single type)

     6.1.1. Parenchyma

     6.1.2. Collenchyma

     6.1.3. Sclerenchyma

   6.2. Plant tissues composed of several cell types

     6.2.1. Xylem

     6.2.2. Phloem

   6.3. Animal epithelial tissue

     6.3.1. Simple epithelia

     6.3.2. Stratified epithelia

     6.3.3. Glandular epithelium

   6.4. Animal connective tissue

     6.4.1. Areolar, fibrous connective, and adipose tissues

     6.4.2. Skeletal tissues

   6.5. Muscle tissue

   6.6. Nervous tissue

     6.6.1. Neurons

     6.6.2. Nerves

7. AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION

   7.1. Why do living organisms need energy?

   7.2. Classification of organisms according to energy and carbon sources

   7.3. Significance of photosynthesis

   7.4. Leaf structure

     7.4.1. Chloroplasts

   7.5. Photosynthetic pigments

     7.5.1. Chlorophylls

     7.5.2. Carotenoids

     7.5.3. Absorption and action spectra

     7.5.4. Excitation of chlorophyll by light

     7.5.5. Photosystems

   7.6. Biochemistry of photosynthesis

     7.6.1. Oxygen source

     7.6.2. Light reactions

     7.6.3. Dark reactions

     7.6.4. Summary of photosynthesis

   7.7. Metabolism of phosphoglycerate and triose phosphate

   7.8. Factors affecting photosynthesis

     7.8.1. Limiting factors

     7.8.2. Graphs of photosynthetic rate

   7.9. C4 photosynthesis

     7.9.1. Hatch-Slack pathway

     7.9.2. Overall outcome of the C4 pathway

     7.9.3. Refixation of carbon dioxide in bundle sheath cells

     7.9.4. Chloroplasts of mesophyll and bundle sheath cells

     7.9.5. Significance of the C4 pathway

   7.10. Mineral nutrition in plants and animals

     7.10.1. Mineral deficiencies

     7.10.2. Specialised methods of obtaining essential elements

   7.11. Laboratory work

     7.11.1. Measurement of photosynthesis rate

   7.12. Compensation points

8. HETEROTROPHIC NUTRITION

   8.1. Types of heterotrophic nutrition

     8.1.1. Holozoic nutrition

     8.1.2. Saprotrophic nutrition

     8.1.3. Symbiosis: mutualism, parasitism, and commensalism

   8.2. Feeding mechanisms in animals

     8.2.1. Filter feeding

     8.2.2. Tentacular feeding

     8.2.3. Detritivore feeding

     8.2.4. Biting and chewing mouthparts

     8.2.5. Fluid feeding

   8.3. The human alimentary canal

     8.3.1. Generalized structure of the human digestive tract

     8.3.2. Human dentition

     8.3.3. Oral cavity

     8.3.4. Esophagus

     8.3.5. Peristalsis

     8.3.6. Stomach

     8.3.7. Small intestine

     8.3.8. Enzymatic digestion in the small intestine

     8.3.9. Absorption in the small intestine

     8.3.10. Large intestine

   8.4. Nervous and hormonal regulation of digestive gland functions

     8.4.1. Saliva

     8.4.2. Gastric juice

     8.4.3. Pancreatic juice and bile

   8.5. Fate of absorbed nutrients

   8.6. Herbivores

     8.6.1. Teeth

     8.6.2. Cellulose digestion in ruminants

   8.7. Human nutrition

     8.7.1. Nutrition, nutrients, food and diet

     8.7.2. Balanced diet

     8.7.3. Water

     8.7.4. Dietary fiber

     8.7.5. Energy

     8.7.6. Carbohydrates

     8.7.7. Lipids (fats and oils)

     8.7.8. Proteins

     8.7.9. Vitamins

     8.7.10. Minerals

     8.7.11. Milk

   8.8. Recommended nutrient intakes and their standard values

     8.8.1. Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs)

     8.8.2. Use of RDAs

     8.8.3. Influence of growth, sex and activity on RDAs

   8.9. Malnutrition

     8.9.1. Anorexia nervosa

     8.9.2. Obesity

     8.9.3. Starvation and general malnutrition

     8.9.4. Protein deficiency: kwashiorkor and marasmus

9. ENERGY UTILIZATION

   9.1. What is respiration

   9.2. ATP

     9.2.1. Structure of ATP

     9.2.2. Role of ATP

   9.3. Cellular respiration

     9.3.1. Respiratory substrates

     9.3.2. Some key reactions

     9.3.3. General overview of cellular respiration

     9.3.4. Glycolysis

     9.3.5. Aerobic respiration

     9.3.6. Anaerobic respiration

     9.3.7. Energy conversion efficiency in aerobic and anaerobic respiration

     9.3.8. Oxygen debt and the immediate effects of exercise

     9.3.9. Industrial applications of fermentation processes

     9.3.10. Mitochondria

   9.4. Gaseous exchange

     9.4.1. Unicellular organisms, such as Amoeba

     9.4.2. The need for specialized respiratory structures and pigments

     9.4.3. Annelids, such as the earthworm

     9.4.4. Insects, such as the locust

     9.4.5. Bony fish, such as herring

   9.5. Gas exchange in mammals

     9.5.1. Structure of the respiratory system

     9.5.2. Gas exchange in the alveoli

     9.5.3. Pleural cavity

     9.5.4. Mechanism of ventilation (breathing)

     9.5.5. Regulation of breathing

     9.5.6. Lung volumes and capacities

     9.5.7. Measuring respiration using a spirometer

     9.5.8. Basal metabolic rate

     9.5.9. Respiratory quotient (RQ)

   9.6. Gas exchange in flowering plants

   9.7. Respiratory diseases

     9.7.1. Direct effects of smoking on pulmonary ventilation and gas exchange

     9.7.2. Bronchial asthma

     9.7.3. Pulmonary emphysema

     9.7.4. Bronchitis

     9.7.5. Lung cancer

     9.7.6. Effects of aging on the respiratory system

10. ORGANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

   10.1. Approaches in ecology

   10.2. Ecosystems

     10.2.1. Definitions and basic concepts

     10.2.2. General structure of ecosystems

     10.2.3. Energy flow and biogeochemical cycles

   10.3. Ecosystems and Energy Flow

     10.3.1. The Sun as an Energy Source

     10.3.2. Energy Transfer: Food Chains and Trophic Levels

     10.3.3. Food Webs

     10.3.4. Ecological Pyramids

     10.3.5. Energy Transfer Efficiency: Productivity

   10.4. Biogeochemical Cycles: Water and Nutrient Cycles

     10.4.1. The Nitrogen Cycle

     10.4.2. The Carbon Cycle

     10.4.3. The Water Cycle (Hydrological Cycle)

   10.5. Factors Affecting the Environment and Habitats

     10.5.1. Abiotic Factors

     10.5.2. Soil

     10.5.3. Biotic Factors

   10.6. Community Ecology (Synecology)

     10.6.1. Primary and Secondary Succession

     10.6.2. The Course of Succession

     10.6.3. Application of Succession Principles to Land Reclamation

     10.6.4. Zonation

   10.7. Population Ecology

     10.7.1. Natality and Mortality

     10.7.2. Survivorship Curves

     10.7.3. Population Growth and Growth Curves

     10.7.4. Intraspecific Factors Affecting Population Size

     10.7.5. Interspecific Interactions Affecting Population Size

   10.8. Human impact on ecosystems

     10.8.1. Air pollution

     10.8.2. Water pollution

     10.8.3. Destruction of terrestrial ecosystems

     10.8.4. Pesticides and the environment

   10.9. Environmental conservation

     10.9.1. Why conserve nature?

     10.9.2. Preservation of genetic diversity

     10.9.3. Case study in species conservation: the African elephant

     10.9.4. Plans for the future

     10.9.5. Sustainable exploitation of plant and animal resources

     10.9.6. Waste recycling

     10.9.7. Environmental conservation organizations in Britain