|
BSC109 |
Biology
(Biology for Engineers) |
3L:0T:0P |
3
credits |
[3 credit
course; 2 (one
hour) lectures and one (one
hour) tutorial per
week. Only lecture
hours are shown]
Module
1. (2 hours)- Introduction
Purpose: To convey that Biology is as important a scientific
discipline as Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
Bring
out the fundamental differences between
science and engineering by drawing a comparison between eye and camera, Bird flying and aircraft. Mention
the most exciting
aspect of biology
as an independent scientific discipline. Why we need
to study biology? Discuss how biological observations of 18th Century that lead to major
discoveries. Examples from
Brownian motion and the origin
of thermodynamics by referring
to the original observation of Robert Brown
and Julius Mayor.
These examples will highlight the fundamental
importance of observations in any scientific inquiry.
Module 2. (3 hours)- Classification
Purpose: To convey that
classification per se is not what biology is all about. The underlying criterion, such as morphological, biochemical or ecological be highlighted. Hierarchy
of life forms at phenomenological level. A common thread
weaves this hierarchy Classification. Discuss classification based on (a)
cellularity- Unicellular or
multicellular (b) ultrastructure- prokaryotes or eucaryotes. (c) energy and
Carbon utilization -Autotrophs, heterotrophs,
lithotropes (d) Ammonia
excretion – aminotelic, uricoteliec, ureotelic (e) Habitata- acquatic
or terrestrial (e) Molecular taxonomy- three major
kingdoms of life.
A given organism
can come under
different category based
on classification. Model
organisms for the study of biology come
from different groups.
E.coli,
S. cerevisiae,
D. Melanogaster, C. elegance, A. Thaliana, M. musculus
Module 3. (4
hours)-Genetics
Purpose: To convey that “Genetics is to biology what Newton’s laws
are to Physical Sciences”
Mendel’s laws, Concept of segregation and independent assortment. Concept of allele.
Gene mapping, Gene interaction, Epistasis. Meiosis and Mitosis
be taught as a part of genetics. Emphasis to be give not to the mechanics of cell division
nor the phases but how genetic material
passes from parent to offspring. Concepts of recessiveness and dominance. Concept
of mapping of phenotype to genes. Discuss
about the single
gene disorders in humans.
Discuss the concept
of complementation using
human genetics.
Module 4. (4
hours)-Biomolecules
Purpose: To convey
that all forms
of life has the same
building blocks and
yet the manifestations are as diverse as one can imagine
Molecules of life. In this
context discuss monomeric units and polymeric structures. Discuss about
sugars, starch and cellulose. Amino acids and proteins. Nucleotides and DNA/RNA. Two carbon units
and lipids.
Module
5. (4 Hours). Enzymes
Purpose: To convey that without catalysis life would not have
existed on earth
Enzymology: How to monitor
enzyme catalyzed reactions. How does an enzyme catalyzereactions. Enzyme classification.
Mechanism of enzyme
action. Discuss at least two
examples. Enzyme kinetics and kinetic
parameters. Why should
we know these
parameters to understand biology? RNA catalysis.
Module 6. (4
hours)- Information Transfer
Purpose: The molecular basis
of coding and decoding genetic
information is universal Molecular basis of information transfer. DNA as a genetic
material. Hierarchy of DNA structure- from single stranded
to double helix to nucleosomes. Concept of genetic
code. Universality and degeneracy of genetic code.
Define gene in terms of complementation and recombination.
Module 7. (5
hours). Macromolecular analysis
Purpose: How to analyses biological processes at the reductionistic
level
Proteins- structure and function. Hierarch in protein structure. Primary secondary, tertiary and quaternary
structure. Proteins as enzymes,
transporters, receptors and
structural elements.
Module
8. (4 hours)- Metabolism
Purpose: The fundamental principles of energy transactions are the
same in physical and biological world.
Thermodynamics as applied
to biological systems.
Exothermic and endothermic versus endergonic and exergoinc reactions. Concept of Keq and its relation to standard free energy. Spontaneity. ATP as an energy
currency. This should
include the breakdown of glucose to CO2 + H2O (Glycolysis and Krebs cycle)
and synthesis
of glucose from
CO2 and H2O (Photosynthesis). Energy yielding and energy consuming reactions. Concept of Energy charge
Module 9. (3 hours)- Microbiology
Concept of single
celled organisms. Concept
of species and strains. Identification and classification of microorganisms. Microscopy. Ecological
aspects of single celled organisms. Sterilization and media compositions.
Growth kinetics.
Module 10: Plant
Physiology covering, Transpiration;
Mineral nutrition (3 Lectures)
Module 10B:
Ecology covering, Ecosystems- Components, types,
flow of matter
and energy in an ecosystem; Community ecology- Characteristics, frequency, life
forms, and biological spectrum; Ecosystem structure- Biotic and a-biotic
factors, food chain,
food web, ecological pyramids; (3
Lectures)
References:
1)
Biology: A global approach: Campbell, N. A.; Reece, J. B.; Urry, Lisa; Cain, M, L.; Wasserman, S. A.;
Minorsky, P. V.; Jackson, R. B. Pearson
Education Ltd
2) Outlines of Biochemistry, Conn,
E.E; Stumpf, P.K;
Bruening, G; Doi,
R.H., John Wiley
and Sons
3) Principles of Biochemistry (V Edition), By Nelson, D. L.; and Cox, M. M.W.H. Freeman
and Company
4)
Molecular
Genetics (Second edition), Stent, G. S.; and Calender, R.W.H. Freeman and
company, Distributed by Satish
Kumar Jain for CBS Publisher
Microbiology, Prescott, L.M J.P.
Harley and C.A. Klein 1995. 2nd edition Wm, C. Brown Publishers
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