2023
Biology Fundamentals
Name: Biology Fundamentals
Code: BIO13422O
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Biological Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The overall objective of u.c. is creating a solid biological literacy.
Students are expected to understand that organisms:
1. are organized in structural levels of increasing complexity and are open systems that interact continuously with the environment, exchanging matter and energy;
2. that their structure and function are correlated at all levels of biological organization;
3. ensuring the maintenance of their characteristics on the basis of the hereditary information contained in their genetic heritage;
4. are subject to evolutionary pressures, which are responsible for the historical connection between all of them, as well as for the unity and diversity of Life.
Students are expected to grasp the fundamental concepts inherent in living systems, to reinforce some of the capabilities and competences in Biological Sciences, and to construct a system of values that allows the students to freely select and assume the attitudes they deem most relevant to their own experience.
Students are expected to understand that organisms:
1. are organized in structural levels of increasing complexity and are open systems that interact continuously with the environment, exchanging matter and energy;
2. that their structure and function are correlated at all levels of biological organization;
3. ensuring the maintenance of their characteristics on the basis of the hereditary information contained in their genetic heritage;
4. are subject to evolutionary pressures, which are responsible for the historical connection between all of them, as well as for the unity and diversity of Life.
Students are expected to grasp the fundamental concepts inherent in living systems, to reinforce some of the capabilities and competences in Biological Sciences, and to construct a system of values that allows the students to freely select and assume the attitudes they deem most relevant to their own experience.
Contents
I 1 Brief notions on the Origin of Life
II 1 Organic matter acquisition by Heterotrophs
1.1 Uni vs multicellular organisms
1.2 Ingestion, digestion and absorption
2. Organic matter acquisition by Autotrophs
2.1 Photosynthesis
2.2 Chemosynthesis
III 1 Fermentation
2. Aerobic respiration
3. Gaseous exchanges in plants and animals
IV 1 Cell growth and renewal
1.1 DNA and Protein Synthesis
V 1 Asexual Reproduction
1.1 Mitosis
1.2 Breeding strategies
2. Sexual reproduction
2.1 Meiosis and fertilization
2.2 Sexual reproduction and variability
3. Life cycles
VI 1 Unicellularity and multicellularity
2. Mechanisms of evolution
2.1 Evolutionism vs Fixism
2.2 Natural selection, artificial selection and variability
VII 1 Classification systems for organisms
1.1 Diversity of criteria
1.2 Taxonomy and Nomenclature
VIII 1 Interaction between organisms
1.1 Ecological Relations
1.2 Notions of habitat and ecological niche
1.3 Communities and populations
2 Brief notions of population dynamics
II 1 Organic matter acquisition by Heterotrophs
1.1 Uni vs multicellular organisms
1.2 Ingestion, digestion and absorption
2. Organic matter acquisition by Autotrophs
2.1 Photosynthesis
2.2 Chemosynthesis
III 1 Fermentation
2. Aerobic respiration
3. Gaseous exchanges in plants and animals
IV 1 Cell growth and renewal
1.1 DNA and Protein Synthesis
V 1 Asexual Reproduction
1.1 Mitosis
1.2 Breeding strategies
2. Sexual reproduction
2.1 Meiosis and fertilization
2.2 Sexual reproduction and variability
3. Life cycles
VI 1 Unicellularity and multicellularity
2. Mechanisms of evolution
2.1 Evolutionism vs Fixism
2.2 Natural selection, artificial selection and variability
VII 1 Classification systems for organisms
1.1 Diversity of criteria
1.2 Taxonomy and Nomenclature
VIII 1 Interaction between organisms
1.1 Ecological Relations
1.2 Notions of habitat and ecological niche
1.3 Communities and populations
2 Brief notions of population dynamics
Teaching Methods
The curricular unit is structured in theoretical interactive sessions, with audiovisual presentations. The learning material produced by the teachers will be available on the MOODLE platform. Students will be assessed by a written examination consisting of multiple-choice questions. Rating scale from 0 to 20. Approval with a rating of 10 or greater.
Teaching Staff
