Biology is the study of life. This class deals with cells, the smallest and most basic units of life. Cells are like miniature factories cranking out thousands of molecules every minute: adhesives stronger than super glue, catalysts that can speed up reactions by a factor of 10^-7, communication devices more efficient than the most sophisticated computer network. Cells transform energy about twice as efficiently as gasoline engines, and they do this without producing noise and pollutants.

       We humans are made from trillions of cells which all contain the same genetic information. And all those trillions of cells are derived from just one cell: the fertilized egg. In this class, we will examine the factors determining whether a cell becomes a muscle or a blood cell. How is it ensured that scalp cells won't secrete digestive enzymes and that liver cells won't grow hair?

        We will also consider the assaults our cells have to withstand every day: Air pollutants poison cells lining our respiratory tract, bacteria ingested with food attack our stomachs, and UV radiation causes mutations in the DNA of our skin cells. How do cells identify these problems, detoxify foreign substances, destroy bacteria, and repair DNA so that most of us can be healthy most of the time?

       For five months we will immerse ourselves in these topics. In addition, we will explore how cells work together to form our nervous, endocrine, digestive, circulatory and excretory systems. How do we learn? How do we manage to excrete hyperosmotic urine to conserve water? How does EPO doping work and why do athletes have bigger hearts? Use these months to get acquainted with cells and animal systems, to get a glimpse of the miracle of life, and to start feeling at home in the world of cells. 

Logistics of the course