Course Assignments

[Course Project]

I. The Mechanics of Life: What is Life?

09/08/04


Biotechnology: Panacea or Pandora’s Box
The Way Life Works. Setting the Stage and The Patterns of Life

Read Chapter 1 Exploring the Way Life Works

Vocabulary
atoms carbon dioxide cells
chain molecules deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) diversity
experiments hemoglobin holism
homology hypotheses molecules
molecular structures ribosome mitochondrion
nanometer nucleotides, amino acids & sugars nucleus
oxygen proteins reductionism
ribonucleic acid science simple molecules
ultracentrifuge unity visible light
gene biotech genome
pharmocogenomics transgenics

09/15/04


The Flow of Life
Techniques in Biotechnology I

Read Chapter 2 Exploring the Way Life Works

Vocabulary
adaptability atmosphere bacteria
biosphere catalysts cell turnover
cellular membranes chain molecules colonies of cells
deforestation diffusion DNA & RNA
enzymes evolution feedback loops
flagella Gaia hypothesis genes
mating multicellular organisms
mutations osmotic pressure parasites
polarity phospholipid molecules protein gates
proteins recycling solubility
sperm & egg sugars tissues
unity in diversity viruses gel electrophoresis
polymerase promoter transcription
plasmid    

09/22/04


Trends, Patterns & Relationships in Biology
Gene Expression & Development

Read Chapter 3 Exploring the Way Life Works


Vocabulary
active sites ADP aerobic & anaerobic processes
ATP autotrophs bond energy
Calvin Cycle carbon catalysts
chemical bonds chlorophyll chloroplasts
diffusion electron acceptors & carriers electron flow
energy flow entropy enzymes
equilibrium fermentation first law of thermodynamics
food chains glycolysis hydrogen
ions kinetic energy light
luciferin making molecules metabolism
mitochondria oxygen photons
photosynthesis pigments protons
respiration second law of thermodynamics starch
sugar thylakoids teleology
phylogeny ontogeny chemotaxis
ELISA pipetman

09/29/04


Evolution
The Genomics Revolution

Read Chapter 4 Exploring the Way Life Works


Vocabulary
amino acids base pairs bases
chromosomes deoxyribose DNA
DNA fingerprinting factors gene sequencing
genes genomes germ theory
hereditary diseases inheritance messenger RNA
mutations nucleotides PCR
recombinant DNA replication spontaneous generation
transcription weak bonds X & Y chromosomes
proteomics pharmacogenomics microarray
allostery immunotherapy

II. Applications of Biotechnology: The future is now

10/06/04

Agricultural Biotechnology I: How Is It Done & How It Is Used
Agricultural Biotechnology II: Issues and Controversies

Read Chapter 5 Exploring the Way Life Works


Vocabulary - from the end of Chapter 5
10/13/04
Agricultural Biotechnology: A Panel Discussion
Agricultural Biotechnology: A Town Hall Meeting

Read Chapter 6 Exploring the Way Life Works


Vocabulary
allosteric enzymes allostery biological control
cascading chemotaxis ecological feedback loops
enzymes feedback loops governors
higher-level feedback loops if/then rules local-level feedback loops
molecular communication myxamoebic communication negative feedback
neural circuits pheromones positive feedback
random walks receptor molecules regulatory proteins
repressor proteins gus site specific recombination
plant biopharmaceuticals tapetum hybrid plant
10/20/04
Medical Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Read Chapter 7 Exploring the Way Life Works


Vocabulary
cascading cell death cell signaling
chemical signals cloning communities
differentiation embryo development emergent patterns
gene repression gene switches glands
hormones hox genes lineage & contact plans
master genes mitosis morphogens
myxamoebae specialization superorganisms
telomeres xenotransplantation chiral drugs
recombinant DNA receptors gene therapy
pharmacogenomics blastocyst viral vectors
10/27/04
 
11/03/04
 
 
11/10/04
 
 
11/17/04
 
 
III. Biotechnology: Ethical Issues and Concerns
11/24/04
 
 
12/01/04
 
 
12/08/04
 
 


Biotechnology Stock Project - 25% of grade

 

You have $100,000 to invest in Biotech.

1. Select and research 5 Biotech companies (due 9/22/04)

2. Print out the current stock quote and annual chart (due 9/22/04)

3. Invest chosen amounts in each. Calculate shares in each (due 9/22/04)

4. Contact company to receive PR and investor's information

5. Monitor stocks

6. Print out the stock quote and annual chart (due 12/06/04)

7. Calculate gains and looses. Submit report (due 12/06/04)

Questions? Email Tania: t.tyler@lifeedu.org

 

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