Professor Elof Carlson
Spring 2000

Biology 150 Syllabus

Unit I: The Gene as the Basis of Life

In this unit, I will cover several related themes of genetics. The thesis I make, the gene as the basis of life, was first proposed by Nobelist H. J. Muller in 1926. At that time many of his contemporaries thought his idea was outlandish. I will show that his view is the prevailing model for interpreting life. All other products and processes of the living organisms are generated by information in the genes. The gene can be traced back in its history to the origin of life itself with genes or gene-like properties in nucleic acids as the start of the biological diversity studied through evolution. Muller attributed the gene's unique biological properties to its capacity to replicate its mutations. This unit will explore those ideas at the level of the chromosome and cell.

  1. Heredity as a nineteenth century mystery. Lamarck's views on the environment as changing heredity. The theory of the germ plasm. The need for hereditary units. The parallel fields of breeding analysis and cytology come together.
  2. Mendel's analysis of hybrids in peas. His first law shows a duality of heredity and some quantitative relations. Mendelism can be interpreted through the chromosome theory of heredity.
  3. Applying Mendel's first law to human monogenic traits: dominant and recessive pedigrees.
  4. Mendel's second law shows how several hybrid genes can be followed. It's practical usage is for complex variable traits such as human skin color, the variable expression of human genetic disorders, and the bell-shaped distribution of traits like height.
Examination on Unit I.

Unit II: Sex Determination and Development

  1. The X and Y chromosome play a role in sex determination. How they differ from autosomes. Why this leads to X-linked inheritance.
  2. The seven sexes of humans: the pathway for 90% -97% of humanity. A brief account of embryonic development from fertilization to birth.
  3. The seven sexes of humans [WHEN THINGS GO WRONG]: chimeras, mosaics, aneuploidies, hermaphrodites and pseudohermaphrodites
  4. The effects of sex on behavior: hormones, genotypes, and culture for gender and sexual orientation
Examination on Unit II.

After unit II you will be instructed by Dr. Katherine Wojtas for the remainder of the course. Materials for that component will be distributed by Dr. Wojtas.

Text book for the course: Campbell, Biology, 5th edition

Handouts for the course are available in room 134 Old Chemistry from Ms. Darlene Prowse. We may be moving this office to the new addition to the Life Sciences Building early in the Spring Semester. You will be notified of such changes in class and on the web site for Biology 150

I will be available in my office room 376 Life Sciences Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM. I am teaching two other courses and serve on some university committees and I do eat lunch so either call me at 632-8549 or stop by and if my door is open, just walk in. I like to keep an open door policy for students and most of the time I am in my office.

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Last modified January 20, 2000
BIO 150 Syllabus / Michael S. Rosenberg