Bio 220: Organismal Physiology and Ecology

Spring 2009: Lecture MWF 10:00 - 10:50, Quigley 101

Instructors

Dr. Cassie Majetic

Dr. Milt Ostrofsky

Office

Steffee B200

Steffee B121

Telephone

332-2888

 332-2384

Email

cmajetic

mostrofs

Office Hours

MF 1:00-3:00

W 2:00-4:00

and by appointment

MWF 1:00-3:00 AM
Tues 8:00-Noon
other times by appointment

HomePage Links

Dr. Majetic

Dr. Ostrofsky 


Text: 
Raven, Johnson, Losos, Mason and Singer 2008. Biology (8th Edition) McGraw Hill.

Course Description: A study of organismal form and function (physiology) as well as the interaction of organisms with their environment (ecology). We take a comparative approach to the diversity of physiological systems that have evolved in organisms to meet the environmental challenges that they face (energy, water balance, excretion, communication, reproduction, gas exchange, and defense). We also investigate how the physical environment and interactions between species affect the distribution and abundance of life at the population, community, and ecosystems level.

Grading:
 

Exam I 

100 pts

Exam II 

100 pts

Exam III 

100 pts

Exam IV 

100 pts

Quiz

50 pts

Discussion Section Attendance and Participation

35 pts

Total

485 pts

Exams and Quiz:  All exams will be equal in weight (100 points each) and will be administered during the recitation/discussion sections. There will be one quiz worth 50 points early in the semester that will also be administered during the recitation section. The dates and times of the exams and quiz are listed in the class schedule. We do not normally allow people to take the exams late, and only under unusual circumstances will we make exceptions to this policy. If you have an unavoidable conflict with an exam, let us know at least a week in advance so that alternative arrangements can be made. The exams may include a variety of question types (fill in the blank, matching, multiple choice, problem solving, and short essay). Sample tests from previous years are provided below.

Discussion Section Attendance and Participation:  Students who attend a recitation session, participate in the work of their discussion group, present part of the group's work to the class, show initiative in whole-class discussions, and critique the work of other discussion groups will receive five points for each recitation session.  Students who participate in their own group's work and its presenation but do not contribute significantly to whole-class discussions will receive 4 points , and students who only participate in group discussions but chose not to present will receive 3 points. Attendance without participation in group work will be awarded 2 pts. Your attendance and participation grade will be based on a maximum of 35 possible points (7 recitations x 5 pts) .

Lecture Attendance:  Although we will not take roll, we expect you to attend each lecture. If you miss class you risk missing important handouts, homework assignments, supplemental reading assignments, and discussion section information.  You are expected to read the assigned material before class.  Lecture participation is highly encouraged and will be considered in case of border-line grades.

Class Handouts: Supplemental handouts will be frequently distributed at the beginning of class. Bring these handouts with you to class and to discussion sections; we will refer to the handouts frequently. Extra copies of handouts, organized by distribution date, will be placed in a box on a table outside of Dr. Ostrofsky's office (Steffee B121). If you miss a class, you must check the contents of this file box to pick up any handouts that might have been distributed that day.

Biology 220 Web Site:  A copy of this syllabus, other important course materials, and links to useful internet sites can be found at the Biology 220 home page: http://webpub.allegheny.edu/dept/bio/bio220/bio220.html. The web site will be updated on a regular basis, so you should check it regularly.

Changing Discussion Sections:  Because the number of seats in the discussion sections is limited, and because discussions will often involve group work with regular partners, casual switching back and forth between different discussion sections is not permitted. You should attend only the discussion section that appears on your class schedule.

Course Schedule: Please note that the class schedule may deviate from the syllabus due to job interviews, illness, or other factors.  We will do our best to apprise you of changes as they arise.  Also, textbook readings may be changed so you should check the on-line syllabus the night before each lecture for the day’s readings.

Date

Topic

Pages in textbook

Instructor

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

Jan 14, W

Introduction to Course
Levels of Biological Organization

3-5, 983-987, 1039-1043

Majetic/Ostrofsky

Jan 15, Th

No Recitation this week

 

 

Jan 16, F

Diversity of Life   Sea Squirt

2-3, 434-438,507-520,428-429, 563-565

Ostrofsky

Jan 19, M

Concept of the Niche

1170-1172

Ostrofsky

Jan 21, W

Molecules of Life

18-25, 29-53

Majetic

Jan 22, Th

Taxonomy Guess Who, Brailovsky, Jerep, Key

 

 

Jan 23, F

Membrane Structure and Function

53-56, 85-102

Majetic

Jan 26, M

Cell Structure and Function

60-84

Majetic

 

 

 

 

 

WATER

 

 

Jan 28, W

Properties of Water, Osmosis

25-30, 758-761  contractile vacuole  Aquaporin article

Ostrofsky

Jan 29, Th

Quiz  (Introduction)  KEY

Old Quiz  

 

Jan 30, F

Global Patterns in Climate

1212-1216

Ostrofsky

Feb 2, M

Biomes

1216-1220

Ostrofsky

Feb 4, W

Circulatory System in Plants I

718-735

Ostrofsky

Feb 5, Th

Global Climate

 

 

Feb 6, F

Circulatory System in Plants II

763-770

Ostrofsky

Feb 9, M

Water Balance in Animals I

864-866, 1023-1029

Majetic

Feb 11, W

Water Balance in Animals II

1030-1036

Majetic

Feb 12, Th

Osmosis Experiments

 

 

Feb 13, F

Water Balance and Circulation in Animals

984-996

Majetic

Feb 16, M

Water Balance and Thermoregulation

1018-1023

Majetic

 

 

 

 

 

ENERGY

 

 

Feb 18, W

Primary and Secondary Sources of Energy

106-110, 553

Ostrofsky

Feb 19, Th

Exam I  (Water) KEY

SampleWater Exam

 

Feb 20, F

Limits to Primary Productivity

146-147

Ostrofsky

Feb 23, M

Photosynthesis I: Light Reactions

143-157

Ostrofsky

Feb 25, W

Photosynthesis II: Calvin Cycle, CAM, C4

157-162

Ostrofsky

Feb 26, Th

Interactive Photosynthesis

 

 

Feb 27, F

Animal Digestion

964-980

Majetic

Mar 2, M

Cellular Respiration in Plants and Animals

106-111, 120-140

Majetic

Mar 4, W

Gas Exchange in Animals

1000-1014

Majetic

Mar 5, Th

Control of Breathing Experiments

 

 

Mar 6, F

Energy Transfer and Losses

1196-1201

Ostrofsky

 

 

 

 

 

DEFENSE

 

 

Mar 9, M

Plant Defenses Against Herbivores

790-796, 1175-1176  Caterpillar

Ostrofsky

Mar 11, W

Animal Defense Against Predators

402-403, 1176-1178

Ostrofsky

Mar 12, Th

Exam II (Energy)  KEY

Old Exam II    Exam II Key

 

Mar 13, F

Introduction to Nervous System

870-878
Neuro Link

Majetic

Mar 16, M

Spring Break

 

 

Mar 18, W

Spring Break

 

 

Mar 20, F

Spring Break

 

 

Mar 23, M

Synapses, Neurotransmitters, and Drugs 

878-883

Majetic

Mar 25, W

Spinal Reflexes / Autonomic Nervous Sys

891-894 Fight or Flight

Majetic

Mar 26, Th

Nervous System Computer Simulations

KEY

 

Mar 27, F

Sensory Systems I

898-916 Sensory Link

Majetic

Mar 30, M

Sensory Systems II (same notes as Mar 27)

 

 

Apr 1, W

Muscle and Movement

944-960

Majetic

Apr 2, Th

Human Sensory Experiments

 

 

Apr 3, F

Immune System I

1040-1046

Majetic

Apr 6, M

Immune System II (same notes as April 3)

1046-1055, 1057-1058

Majetic

 

 

 

 

 

 REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

 

 

Apr 8, W

Mitosis & Meiosis

186-196, 206-216

Majetic

Apr 9, Th

Exam III (Defense) KEY

Old Exam III   Exam III Key

 

Apr 10, F

Asexual and Sexual Reproduction

186, 206, 583-584, 845-847, Figures 29.17, 29.20, 30.5, 30.10, 30.16, 31.7

Ostrofsky

Apr 13, M

Plant reproduction

596-600, 836-839

Ostrofsky

Apr 15, W

Animal hormones and reproduction

1068-1080

Majetic

Apr 16, Th

Course Evaluations (RSE)

 

 

Apr 17, F

Plant Reproduction: Dispersive Mutualisms

750-752, 839-845

Ostrofsky

Apr 20, M

Populations and Population Growth

1148-1153, 1156-1164

Ostrofsky

Apr 22, W

Population Age Structure & Life Tables

1153-1154

Ostrofsky

Apr 23, Th

No Recitation

 

 

Apr 24, F

Energy Allocation and Life History

1133-1134, 1154-1156

Ostrofsky

Apr 27, M

Population Interactions & Community Ecology

-

Ostrofsky

 

 

 

 

May 4, M 9:00 a.m.

Exam IV (Reproduction)

pick up exam from recitation instructor
Old Exam IV    Exam IV Key