MITx 7.00x - Introduction to Biology - The Secret of Life

Last updated Mar 5, 2023

• Type note
• Status new
• Source course
• On biology

Metadata

• Source:: Introduction to Biology - The Secret of Life | edX
• Instructor:: Eric Lander, Michelle Mischke, Graham Walker
• Offered by:: MITx
• Platform:: edX
• Publish Date::
• Review Date::

About this Course

7.00x is an introductory level biology course hosted by professor Eric Lander, who was one of the leaders of the Human Genome Project. The course content reflects the topics taught in the MIT introductory biology courses and many biology courses across the world. As a learner, you will first focus on the structure and function of macromolecules such as DNA, RNA and proteins. You will discover how changes in the structure of some of these macromolecules alter their functions and what the implications of such changes have on human health. As you continue in the course, you will apply an understanding of heredity and information flow within cells to human health and disease and will learn about molecular biological techniques and their potential to impact our changing world. After you complete this course, you will have a foundation in biology that will allow you to understand the remarkable medical revolution going on today.

MITx 7.00x: Introduction to Biology – The Secret of Life will let you explore the mysteries of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology and genomics, and rational medicine.

Commonly Used Abbreviations

RNA = ribonucleic acid
DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid
bp = base pair(s)
Mb = Megabases
dNTP = deoxynucleoside triphosphate
ddNTP = dideoxynucleoside triphosphate
PCR = Polymerase chain reaction
cM = centiMorgans
dsDNA = double-stranded DNA
dsRNA = double-stranded RNA
ssDNA = single-stranded DNA
ssRNA = single-stranded RNA
gDNA = genomic DNA
cDNA = complementary DNA
mRNA = messenger RNA
tRNA = transfer RNA
rRNA = ribosomal RNA
lncRNA or lincRNA = long non-coding RNA or long intergenic non-coding RNA
LINEs = long interspersed elements
SINEs = short interspersed elements
WBCs = white blood cells
GMO = genetically modified organism
CRISPR = Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats
RNAi = RNA interference
LDL = Low-Density Lipoprotein
HDL = High-Density Lipoprotein
FH = Familial Hypercholesterolemia
LDLR = Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor

• We won’t be talking about
  • The Diversity of Life
  • Evolution
    • 4.5 Billion Years Ago (BYA) –> Earth Formed
    • 4.0 BYA - Earth Cooled
    • 3.7 BYA –> 1st Life (Prokaryotic)
    • 1.5 BYA –> 1st Nucleated Cells (Eukaryotic)
    • 0.5 BYA –> Multicellular Life
    • 0.005 BYA (5 MYA) –> 1st Human-like Creatures
    • 0.0001 BYA –> Homo sapiens
    • 0.0000002 BYA –> MIT Founded
  • Cell Biology
• We’ll be studying the fundamental principles and intellectual framework of biology
  • It’s the story of about last 100 years
  • We’ll understand
    • Biological Function
    • Two ways to study biology
      • Biochemistry
        • It is the study of individual components purified away from the rest of life — one component away from the rest.
      • Genetics
        • They study the whole organism minus one component. (Mutant)
    • Molecular Biology
      • Links Biochemistry and Genetics
• 
• 
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• Vitalism
  • It was the concept that, besides physics and chemistry, there are some other vital forces specific to living organisms, that allow/cause fermentation. They are essential and hard to understand.
  • Up until 1890, this idea was quite popular.
  • This idea was developed because no one was able to extract anything that could do fermentation from living organisms/yeast.
    • They were using very destructive methods to treat yeast, like sodium hydroxide, boiling, etc.
• Death of Vitalism
  • Edward Buchenar argued that we should treat yeast more gently. For that purpose, he invented a tool as well.
  • He published in 1897 that the yeast juice can carry out fermentation.
  • Enzyme is derived from En and zyme, i.e., something “in” “zyme” (Latin for yeast).
• Fractionating Life
  • Atomic composition of life is quite similar across all organisms.
    • H: 63%
    • O: 24%
    • C: 10%
    • N: 1.4%
    • P: 0.2%
    • S: < 0.1%
  • Molecular composition
    • About 80% water
    • Protein
    • Carbohydrates
    • Lipids and fats
    • Nucleic Acids
• Covalent Bonds
  • Shared pairs of electrons
  • Strong
  • Three types
    • Single C – C
    • Double C == C
    • Triple C-=-= C
  • O, N » C, H (Electronegativity/Greedy)
• Non-covalent Bonds
  • Hydrogen Bonds
  • Ionic Bonds
  • Van Der Waals Force
• Hydrophobic Forces
  • Oil and water not mixing.
  • Non-polar molecules hate hydrogen.
• Understanding Properties of Molecules
  • Membrane
    • Lipid bilayer is structured in such a way that is best for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties.
  • High Energy Molecule