Description:

This introductory lab examines basic biological concepts by focusing on the structures and functions of plants and animals. 2 hrs./wk. BIOL 123 students must be currently enrolled in BIOL 122 or have successfully completed BIOL 122 within the last three years.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Recognize and demonstrate productive attitudes and work habits in the laboratory.
2. Describe correct laboratory techniques and safety procedures.
3. Demonstrate the proper care and use of the microscope.
4. Identify and describe the structures and functions of plant and animal cells and their organelles.
5. Explain the chemical reactions responsible for the movement of molecules.
6. Describe mitosis and meiosis, their stages and structures.
7. Describe genetic techniques for studying gene transmission.
8. Describe the structure and function of DNA and its relationship to protein synthesis.
9. Explain the importance of taxonomy and the use of a dichotomous key.
10. Describe the structures and processes for the movement of water and minerals in vascular plants.
11. Describe light absorption and photosynthesis in plants.
12. Describe the interaction of the respiratory and circulatory systems.
13. Describe the structure and function of nervous tissues.
14. Explain the relationship between natural selection, speciation and evolution.
15. Describe the importance of habitats to ecosystem stability.
16. Describe the responses of plants and animals to environmental stimuli.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Attitudes and Work Habits
   A. Identify and develop positive attitudes toward tasks and fellow
employees appropriate for the laboratory, including giving and accepting
criticism and praise.
   B. Identify and develop productive work habits, including attending to
detail, completing tasks, maintaining the work setting and recording
data.
   C. Identify and develop collaborative/teamwork skills, including
solving problems in groups, building consensus and responding to
supervision.

II. Safety
   A. List safe laboratory practices.
   B. Describe safe laboratory techniques.
   C. Identify and describe the various safety stations.

III. Microscope
   A. Demonstrate proper care and use of the microscope.
   B. Identify all parts of the microscope and explain their functions.
   C. Calculate the total magnification of a magnified object.
   D. Estimate the size of an object (in millimeters) using the three
lenses of the microscope.
   E. Differentiate between field of view, magnification, resolution,
depth of focus illumination and working distance. 
   F. Prepare a slide using the wet mount procedure.

IV. Cell Structure and Function
   A. Using a microscope and plastic model, identify and describe the
functions of the following cellular structures: cell wall, cell membrane
(plasma membrane), cytoplasm, nucleus, nucleolus and three kinds of
plastids. 
   B. Using a microscope and plastic model, differentiate between plant
and animal cells.
   C. Differentiate tissues and organs and give examples of each.

V. Movements of Molecules
   A. Define and describe diffusion, osmosis and active transport.
   B. Explain the relationship of plasmolysis to diffusion and osmosis.
   C. Discuss the importance of a living membrane in movement of a
substance in and out of cells.

VI. Cell Division
   A. Using the microscope, identify interphase and the stages of mitosis
in plant and animal cells.
   B. Describe the stages of mitosis using the terms: aster, chromatin,
chromatid, chromosome, centromere, cell equator, cell poles, centrioles,
spindle fibers, cell plate, contractile ring, cleavage furrow and daughter
cells.
   C. Differentiate between mitosis and cytokinesis and explain how these
processes differ in plants and animals.
   D. Discuss the importance of mitosis in an organism.
   E. Locate the chromosomes in each phase of meiosis.
   F. Define crossing over and indicate when it occurs.
   G. Differentiate between meiosis and mitosis in the numbers of cells
formed, describing the number of chromosomes in each cell.
   H. Discuss the importance of meiosis in an organism.

VII. Genetics
   A. Perform both a monohybrid and a dihybrid cross, using a Punnett
Square.
   B. Express both the phenotypic and genotypic ratios of the offspring of
any cross.
   C. Describe the genotype of individuals with the following
characteristics: homozygous dominant, heterozygous, homozygous recessive.
   D. Explain the inheritance of incomplete dominance.
   E. Discuss the inheritance of codominance using the ABO blood groups.
   F. Interpret and label a pedigree chart using one characteristic,
giving all possible genotypes of each individual.

VIII. Structure and Function of DNA
   A. Describe the component parts of a nucleotide of DNA and contrast
them to the component parts of an RNA nucleotide. 
   B. Describe DNA replication.
   C. Describe the transcription of messenger RNA from DNA and locate
where it occurs in the eukaryotic cell.
   D. Describe the translation of a messenger RNA transcript into a
polypeptide, locating where it occurs in the eukaryotic cell.
   E. Define codon and anticodon and use them to derive amino acids from
the genetic code table. 
   F. Discuss the significance of enzyme/substrate specificity.

IX. Taxonomy
   A. Discuss the importance of taxonomy to biology.
   B. Describe how a dichotomous key works and why it is useful in
biology.
   C. Identify selected woody plants using a dichotomous key.
   
X. Water Movement in Plants
   A. Identify and describe plant tissues that transport water.
   B. Describe root hairs and explain their importance to the plant.
   C. Discuss transpiration and indicate the pathway of water from the
roots through the leaves.
   D. Use annual rings to determine the age of a woody plant.
   E. Discuss the importance of leaves and environmental conditions to the
rate of water loss.

XI. Photosynthesis
   A. Identify by structure and function the internal parts of a leaf.
   B. Explain how carbon dioxide and water enter a leaf and how oxygen and
water leave a leaf.
   C. Explain the technique and uses of paper chromatography.
   D. Describe how pigments in the leaf function to absorb or reflect
different wavelengths of light and how this affects the rate of
photosynthesis.
   E. Explain the relationship between the plant's production of oxygen
and its production of glucose.
   F. Identifying each molecule in the basic formula for photosynthesis,
explain their function in the process.

XII. Respiration and Circulation
   A. Describe the interaction of the respiratory and circulatory
systems.
   B. Explain the changes that occur in both systems when the body is at
rest and in motion.
   C. Describe how carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood influence
the responses of the respiratory and circulatory systems.
   D. Discuss the significance of the color change produced when carbon
dioxide is bubbled through a water and phenolphthalein mix.
   E. Compare and contrast the structure and function of capillaries,
arteries and veins.
   F. Identify the pathway of blood through the heart by labeling all of
the chambers, valves and blood vessels in and attached to the heart.

XIII. Nervous System
   A. Describe the structure and function of the three basic kinds of
neurons.
   B. Explain the differences in touch sensitivity in designated regions
of the face, arm and hand.
   C. Explain why some reflex actions can be consciously controlled and
others cannot.
   D. Discuss the effect of distraction on the reaction time of a
voluntary response.
   E. Explain how perception of heat and cold by receptors in the skin is
relative.
   F. Identify the structure and function of the main parts of the eye.

XIV. Natural Selection
   A. Discuss the relationship of an organism's color to its survival.
   B. List environmental factors which can influence the gene pool of a
population.
   C. Define mutation and explain how it can modify a population's gene
pool.
   D. Discuss the various ways in which mutation, natural selection and
evolution affect gene frequencies in populations of living things.

XV. Ecosystem Stability
   A. Differentiate among niche, habitat, diversity, stability and
extinction.
   B. Describe how diversity is related to stability.
   C. List the direct and underlying causes for the extinction of most
species.
   D. Explain how species preservation is best accomplished.
   E. Explain why preserves such as the Curtis Prairie Project are not
considered genuine prairies.
   F. Describe the benefits to humanity of pristine environments.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

All students must take and pass (70%) a safety test to remain in
class.

Students grades should be based on the following:

Tests covering the material in the laboratory and laboratory packets =
70%-100% of grade

Quizzes, pre-lab assignments, etc. = 0%-30% of grade
   
Points will not be given for merely attending or completing the labs.  The
student’s grade will be based on a percentage of total points as
follows:
      
Grading Scale:
   A = 90% - 100%
   B = 80% -  89%
   C = 70% -  79%
   D = 60% -  69%
   F =  0% -  59%

Attitude and Work Habits:  Although attendance is important, productive
attitudes and work habits affect morale, efficiency, accuracy and safety
in the laboratory and will be a factor in determining grades.  In
addition, collaboration and teamwork will be expected and evaluated.

Computer Literacy Expectations:  Students will need basic word processing
and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises
and projects.

Caveats:

1. Students enrolled in a laboratory course should be aware that they will be working with a variety of chemicals and scientific materials. Individuals are expected to practice safe techniques with all equipment and materials. Students are responsible for their own health and safety.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.