Biology

Course summary

How does your body work? Should we use biotechnology and genetic engineering to ‘improve’ the human genome? Why are plants so important to us? Why should we conserve and preserve ecosystems? Biology is a wide-ranging science, from the microscopic examining of cell ultrastructure, understanding the central dogma of DNA > RNA > Proteins, to the macroscopic study of ecosystems and understanding how human activities can, disrupt and preserve the delicate balance that is our Earth. As well as developing your practical and analytical skills, you will consider the ethical, social and economic issues associated with many controversial topics, such as cloning, stem cells, DNA technologies and preserving biodiversity. On the microscopic scale you will study not just the structure of cells but also the structure, properties and function of a wide range of biological molecules, as well as understanding their roles in the cell cycle and cell division. You will investigate how substances are transported and how this links with important biological processes like nerve impulses, respiration, homeostasis and excretion in humans, as well as, photosynthesis in plants. You will also study the transmission of diseases and how our immune system defends our bodies. And, learn how DNA ‘controls’ our development; you will look at how genes are inherited and lead to the development of characteristics, with an in depth review of the ‘new’ DNA technologies. Of course we also look at classification, evolution and all the practical techniques used to investigate ecosystems; this includes a field trip to complete practical work related to measuring the distribution and abundance of organisms, and if we receive sufficient funding, a trip to the Millennium Seed Bank in Wakehurst Kew Garden as an example of ex situ conservation!