MERLOT Search - category=2612&materialType=Presentation&nosearchlanguage= A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2014 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Sat, 12 Jul 2014 11:46:37 PDT Sat, 12 Jul 2014 11:46:37 PDT MERLOT Search - category=2612&materialType=Presentation&nosearchlanguage= 44 34 MIT OpenCourseWare-Introductory Biology, Spring 2005 This OpenCourseWare project has the videotaped lectures for the Sprin'05 version (7.014) of MIT's introductory Biology course. This course covers the "fundamental principles of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Biological function at the molecular level is particularly emphasized and covers the structure and regulation of genes, as well as, the structure and synthesis of proteins, how these molecules are integrated into cells, and how these cells are integrated into multicellular systems and organisms." This particular version of the course "focuses on the application of these fundamental principles, toward an understanding of microorganisms as geochemical agents responsible for the evolution and renewal of the biosphere and of their role in human health and disease." In addition to the video taped lectures there pdfs of problem sets and exam questions, with answers. However, the lectures do not include the figures and photos that would normally be part of a course such as this. Cellulosic Biofuel development The historical, contemporary and prospective use of plants for the sustainable production of renewable, carbon-neutral energy (ethanol, biodiesel and petrol) is discussed in this fantastic lecture by Dr. Chris Somerville (Director of EBI, UC Berkeley). The technology that is currently being utilized in the development of biofuel is outlined including the crops most suitable for production and the current system of hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation necessary for conversion. Research efforts to optimize the process and expand production in the future are discussed including enhancing the yield of energy crops, identification of appropriate catalysts for the conversion of biomass to sugars, development of biological organisms to ferment the sugars and the production of hydrophobic products suitable for use in our current fuel infrastructure. Density Dependence in Population Growth This lab introduces three basic concepts of population dynamics: exponential population growth, density independent population growth and density dependent population growth. From Silent Spring to Silent Night This is a youtube video of a lecture by Dr. Hayeson the effects of atrazine, an agricultural pesticide, on frog development. It also includes controversial speculation on the possible effects of atrazine on humans. Poisoned Waters An in-depth look at how toxins, chemicals, and agriculture are impacting our waterways, and potentially our own health. The Nitrogen Cycle and Water Quality This lab activity is designed to teach students about the nitrogen cycle and the effect humans have had on this cycle. The students will start the activity by discussing and drawing the nitrogen cycle. The lab component of the lesson will have the students test water samples from various sources for nitrates. After doing the water testing for nitrates the students return to their original nitrogen cycle drawing and suggest ways that humans have influenced the nitrogen cycle. Included in the packet are; teacher directions and expectations, note pages, lab directions, picture of the nitrogen cycle and nitrogen sources. The nitrate test kit used is a Chemetrics nitrate sampling kit. Kits are availabe at the following web site: Tobacco History Tobacco, one of the most prominent crops grown by natives of North Carolina in the 1500's, has intrigued botanists ever since their first encounter with what they called the "divine herb." This site tells of tobacco from its history to farm life. It tells everything your ever wanted to know about tobacco. 2d DaisyWorld 2d DaisyWorld is the classic model, demonstrating homeostasis via ecosystem feedback loops (daisy albedo). DaisyWorld was invented to explain how the Gaia Hypothesis did not require a sentient Earth, but only feedback loops. There is no spatial structure. The daisies show percent population at a single site. Adaptations for Movement Students will learn about how different species are adapted to move successfully through different habitat types. Benthic Diversity from Trawl Sampling in the Clyde Sea The aim of this presentation is to introduce students to some of the common benthic organisms and diversity found in the Clyde Sea and generally in the shallow seas around the coast of the United Kingdom. It is aimed at students who are going to do fieldwork involving sampling benthic diversity for the first time so they can gain some familiarity with the commoner organisms before fieldwork starts. It isn't meant as a replacement to field work and is not a detailed identification guide.