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Biology: The Science of Life

Biology: The Science of Life consists of 72 lectures taught by Professor Stephen Nowicki, emphasizing the importance of broad principles in biology. The lecture course explores the fundamental principles of how living things work, such as evolution by natural selection, the DNA theory of inheritance, and the idea of how single cells become complex organisms. The lecture set is divided into three sections:

Section I (Lectures 1 - 24): Information & Evolution - how information about the structure and organization of living things is found in the DNA molecule, how this information is transmitted and modified, and the implications of these processes for understanding life.

Section II (Lectures 25 - 48): Development & Homeostasis - how single cells (fertilized eggs) proliferate and transform into complex, multicellular organisms, and how the various parts of complex organisms remain coordinated and maintain their integrity in the face of different challenges.

Section III (Lectures 49 - 72): Energy and Resources - how living systems obtain the energy and other materials needed to maintain their highly ordered state, How molecules control the use of that energy.

Lecture 25 - From Cells to Organisms
Lecture 26 - Control of Gene Expression I
Lecture 27 - Control of Gene Expression II
Lecture 28 - Getting Proteins to the Right Place
Lecture 29 - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Lecture 30 - How Cells Talk: Signals and Receptors
Lecture 31 - How Cells Talk: Ways that Cells Respond
Lecture 32 - From One Cell to Many in an Organism
Lecture 33 - Patterns of Early Development
Lecture 34 - Determination and Differentiation
Lecture 35 - Induction and Pattern Formation
Lecture 36 - Genes and Development
Lecture 37 - Homeostasis
Lecture 38 - Hormones in Animals
Lecture 39 - What is Special about Neurons?
Lecture 40 - Action Potentials and Synapses
Lecture 41 - Synaptic Integration and Memory
Lecture 42 - Sensory Function
Lecture 43 - How Muscles Work
Lecture 44 - The Innate Immune System
Lecture 45 - The Acquired Immune System
Lecture 46 - Form and Function in Plants I
Lecture 47 - Form and Function in Plants II
Lecture 48 - Behavior as an Adaptive Trait


Section I (Lectures 1 - 24):
Information & Evolution
Section II (Lectures 25 - 48):
Development & Homeostasis
Section III (Lectures 49 - 72):
Energy and Resources