wolverton@owu

The stages of the cell cycle, including G1, S, and G2, which together make up interphase, and mitosis and cytokinesis, along with details of each of those. Slides: Cell Cycle

An overview of some of the major players in signal transduction pathways within the cell, including phosphorylation, MAP kinase cascades, second messengers, and some of the downstream targets of signal transduction. Slides: Signal Transduction

An introduction to cellular signaling, including the kinds of signaling, the properties of ligands, and the major kinds of receptors found in or on the surface of the cell. Slides: Cellular Signaling

We finished up some details on C4 and CAM pathway plants, which overcome photorespiration by separating the activity of Rubisco from the initial carboxylation reaction, then we spent some time practicing answering some review questions. Slides: Photosynthesis

A tour of the light-independent, or carbon reactions, of photosynthesis, which use the ATP and NADPH produced in the light reactions to reduce atmospheric CO2 to carbohydrate. These reactions take place in a metabolic cycle in the stroma of the chloroplast. Slides: Photosynthesis

An introduction to the interdependent reactions of photosynthesis, including an overview of how light interacts with matter, then a bit of a deeper dive on the photochemistry and electron transport reactions of photosynthesis. Slides: Photosynthesis

A detailed look at feedback regulation in glycolysis, and the processes of pyruvate oxidation, the citric acid cycle, electron transport system, and chemiosmosis, all of which lead to the synthesis of ATP. Slides: Cellular Respiration ATP synthase video

An overview of cellular respiration, including the link between the concept of energetic coupling and the stepwise series of enzyme-mediated reactions; detailed discussion of glycolysis. Slides: Cellular Respiration

How the principles of thermodynamics apply to chemical reactions in the cell, including an overview of Gibbs Free Energy, exergonic and endergonic reactions, and how enzymes help to lower the activation energy of a reaction. Slides: Energetics and Enzymes

An introduction to some background concepts for our discussion of metabolism, including anabolic vs. catabolic reactions, entropy, energy, and work, and the laws of thermodynamics. Slides: Metabolism Concepts

A review of diffusion as the driving force for much of membrane transport, including some of the factors that affect the rate of diffusion; introduction of passive transport, including direct and facilitated, along with active transport. Slides: Membrane transport

An overview of the functions of the plasma membrane followed by a discussion of the structure of the phospholipids and other components that make up the membrane. Slides: Plasma Membrane

An overview of the kinds of connections that form between cells and their functions. Slides: Cell Connections

A tour of the components that make up the cytoskeleton, the internal network of dynamic proteins that give the cell mechanical strength and play a vital role in various cellular functions. Slides: Cytoskeleton

Wrap-up of our discussion of the endosymbiotic theory, quick tour of mitochondria and chloroplasts, then we discussed the nucleus and endomembrane system of the eukaryotic cell. Slides: Nucleus and Endomembrane System

An introduction to the study of cells, including some historical landmarks and concepts, a discussion of the limits on cell size imposed by diffusion, a discussion of optical resolution, and an introduction to several kinds of microscopy important for the study of cells. Slides: Intro to Cells

An overview of the nucleic acids, including the structure of nucleotides, DNA, and RNA, and how complementary base pairing works. Slides: Nucleic Acids

An overview of proteins, including their function and the 4 levels of organization that produce protein structure. Slides: Proteins

Introduction to the lipids, which are non-polar and hydrophobic. Lipids include fats and oils, waxes, certain vitamins, pigments, and steroid hormones. Slides: Lipids

Overview of carbohydrates and the three major classes: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Slides: Carbohydrates

Study tips for this class; Characteristics and properties of the carbon atom that make it well-suited for biological molecules; Overview of functional groups; Bond geometry and isomers; Dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis reactions. Slides: Carbon

The structure, properties and characteristics of water, introduction to pH and buffering. Slides: Water and pH