Course Description

Presents elementary biological and chemical principles for allied health students.

Course Objectives

Upon your completion of the course, you will be able to:

1. Chemistry  
   1. Define matter, atoms, molecules, and elements.  
   2. Identify, recognize, and name of the subatomic particles of an atom.  
   3. Diagram and describe the atomic structure of biologically important elements.  
   4. Explain the three primary bond types (ionic bonds, polar/non-polar covalent bonds, non-polar covalent bonds, and hydrogen bonds).   
   5. Differentiate between inorganic and organic molecules.  
   6. Describe the structure of water and discuss its physiologically important properties.   
   7. Explain the pH scale and define acid, neutral, and basic pH values.   
   8. Explain the function of a buffer.  
   9. Define energy, kinetic energy, and potential energy.   
   10. Explain the difference between endergonic and exergonic reactions.  
   11. Describe and differentiate between synthesis, decomposition, and exchange reactions.  
   12. Explain function and importance of enzymes and how they catalyze reactions.  
   13. Explain the factors that influence reaction rates.
2. Macromolecules   
   1. Explain the relationship between monomers and polymers.  
   2. Define and give examples of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis reactions.  
   3. Compare and contrast the general molecular structures and functions of:   
      1. carbohydrates (monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides)  
      2. lipids  
      3. proteins   
      4. nucleic acids (and distinguish between DNA and RNA).  
   4. Explain the four levels of protein structure and relationship between protein shape and protein function.  
   5. Explain the structure of ATP and its role in cells.   
   6. Describe the overview of cellular respiration.
3. Cell  
   1. Explain the functions of the major components of a typical animal cell.  
   2. Define the structure and function of the cell membrane including the different types of protein channels.  
   3. Explain the mechanisms for movement of materials across cell membranes:  
      1. Active and passive transport  
      2. Cell tonicity  
      3. Osmosis.  
   4. Describe the steps in the process of DNA replication.  
   5. Explain the process of transcription and translation for protein synthesis.   
   6. Describe the cell cycle including interphase and mitosis.  
   7. Explain the resting membrane potential of a cell.  
4. Heredity  
   1. Describe the stages of mitosis and meiosis. 
   2. Compare and contrast the overall processes and functions of mitosis and meiosis.  
   3. Explain how during meiosis crossover, independent assortment, and random fertilization contribute to genetic recombination.  
   4. Define chromosome, gene, allele, homologous, homozygous, heterozygous, genotype, and phenotype.  
   5. Solve genetics problems involving monohybrid (complete dominance) and codominance (ABO blood type crosses).  
   6. Analyze the role of sex chromosomes in sex determination and solve sex-linked crosses.
   7. Explain how nondisjunction can lead to common genetic diseases such as monosomy and trisomy.