Only study guide for
BLG1501 BASIC BIOLOGY
Author: Dr MA Nyila
Department of Life and Consumer Sciences
University of South Africa
Florida
, CONTENTS
BasicBiology
Basic Biology
Biology
UnitPage
ORIENTATION v
Basic
1 Introduction: Themes in the study of life 1
2 The chemical context of life 9
3 Water and the fitness of the environment 17
4 Carbon and the molecular diversity of life 23
5 The structure and function of large biological
molecules 27
6 A tour of the cell 35
7 Membrane structure and function 43
8 An introduction to metabolism 49
9 Cellular respiration and fermentation 55
10 The cell cycle 61
11 Meiosis and sexual life cycles 65
12 Mendel and the gene idea 71
13 From gene to protein 79
14 Community ecology 85
15 Ecosystems and restoration ecology 91
16 Conservation biology and global change 95
BLG1501/1
iii
,
, ORIENTATION
BasicBiology
Basic Biology
Basic Biology
Dear student
We welcome you to the exciting world of biology! Module BLG1501 deals with the basic
concepts of biology that are necessary for understanding how life begins. It is an honour
for us to introduce you to this stimulating and dynamic field. This module deals with the
theory component of biology. You should also simultaneously be registered for the
practical module, BLG1603. We hope that you will find this module interesting and
stimulating. To ensure that you master this field of study we urge you to read this orienta-
tion section in detail. You should use this study guide in conjunction with the tutorial letters
(especially TL 101) and the prescribed textbook. For more information on the practical
sessions, please consult Tutorial Letter 101 for BLG1603. Should you have any problems
or queries about academic matters, feel free to contact us.
1 PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY GUIDE
The purpose of this study guide is to introduce you to biology and its development as a life
science. This guide will provide you with insight into the building blocks of biology and the
links between these blocks. The role of cells in living organisms will be explored as well as
the interrelatedness of all the building blocks of biology.
2 LINK TO OTHER COURSES/MODULES
This module does not stand on its own – it forms an integral part of the life sciences field
of study and, more specifically, undergraduate natural science (life sciences streams). It
is intended to give you the foundation needed to understand the various branches of life
sciences, such as biochemistry, microbiology and physiology.
3 LEARNING OUTCOMES
Unisa’s approach to teaching and learning is outcomes-based education. In line with
this, this module is based on outcomes-based learning. The learning outcomes for this
module are linked to assessment criteria, learning activities, assignments, practicals and
the examination.
3.1 Learning outcomes for BLG1501
After working through this study guide, you should be able to
¡¡ contextualise the physical and chemical characteristics of life
BLG1501/1
¡¡ demonstrate your knowledge of plant and animal composition
¡¡ deal in a knowledgeable way with the molecular basis of inheritance
¡¡ explain processes such as protein synthesis and respiration
v
BLG1501 BASIC BIOLOGY
Author: Dr MA Nyila
Department of Life and Consumer Sciences
University of South Africa
Florida
, CONTENTS
BasicBiology
Basic Biology
Biology
UnitPage
ORIENTATION v
Basic
1 Introduction: Themes in the study of life 1
2 The chemical context of life 9
3 Water and the fitness of the environment 17
4 Carbon and the molecular diversity of life 23
5 The structure and function of large biological
molecules 27
6 A tour of the cell 35
7 Membrane structure and function 43
8 An introduction to metabolism 49
9 Cellular respiration and fermentation 55
10 The cell cycle 61
11 Meiosis and sexual life cycles 65
12 Mendel and the gene idea 71
13 From gene to protein 79
14 Community ecology 85
15 Ecosystems and restoration ecology 91
16 Conservation biology and global change 95
BLG1501/1
iii
,
, ORIENTATION
BasicBiology
Basic Biology
Basic Biology
Dear student
We welcome you to the exciting world of biology! Module BLG1501 deals with the basic
concepts of biology that are necessary for understanding how life begins. It is an honour
for us to introduce you to this stimulating and dynamic field. This module deals with the
theory component of biology. You should also simultaneously be registered for the
practical module, BLG1603. We hope that you will find this module interesting and
stimulating. To ensure that you master this field of study we urge you to read this orienta-
tion section in detail. You should use this study guide in conjunction with the tutorial letters
(especially TL 101) and the prescribed textbook. For more information on the practical
sessions, please consult Tutorial Letter 101 for BLG1603. Should you have any problems
or queries about academic matters, feel free to contact us.
1 PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY GUIDE
The purpose of this study guide is to introduce you to biology and its development as a life
science. This guide will provide you with insight into the building blocks of biology and the
links between these blocks. The role of cells in living organisms will be explored as well as
the interrelatedness of all the building blocks of biology.
2 LINK TO OTHER COURSES/MODULES
This module does not stand on its own – it forms an integral part of the life sciences field
of study and, more specifically, undergraduate natural science (life sciences streams). It
is intended to give you the foundation needed to understand the various branches of life
sciences, such as biochemistry, microbiology and physiology.
3 LEARNING OUTCOMES
Unisa’s approach to teaching and learning is outcomes-based education. In line with
this, this module is based on outcomes-based learning. The learning outcomes for this
module are linked to assessment criteria, learning activities, assignments, practicals and
the examination.
3.1 Learning outcomes for BLG1501
After working through this study guide, you should be able to
¡¡ contextualise the physical and chemical characteristics of life
BLG1501/1
¡¡ demonstrate your knowledge of plant and animal composition
¡¡ deal in a knowledgeable way with the molecular basis of inheritance
¡¡ explain processes such as protein synthesis and respiration
v
