Introductory Biology

_7.016 Introductory Biology_ provides an introduction to fundamental principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics for understanding the functions of living systems. Taught for the first time in Fall 2013, this course covers examples of the use of chemical biology and twenty-first-century molecular genetics in understanding human health and therapeutic intervention. The MIT Biology Department Introductory Biology courses [7.012](/courses/7-012-introduction-to-biology-fall-2004/), [7.013](/courses/7-013-introductory-biology-spring-2013/), [7.014](/courses/7-014-introductory-biology-spring-2005/), 7.015, and [7.016](/courses/7-016-introductory-biology-fall-2018) all cover the same core material, which includes 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. In addition, each version of the subject has its own distinctive material.

1. Introduction, Course Organization of MIT 7.016 Introductory Biology, Fall 2018.
2. Chemical Bonding and Molecular Interactions; Lipids and Membranes.
3. Structures of Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins.
4. Enzymes & Metabolism.
5. Carbohydrates and Glycoproteins.
6. Nucleic Acids.
7. Replication.
8. Transcription.
9. Chromatin Remodeling and Splicing.
10. Translation.
11. Cells, the Simplest Functional Units.
12. Genetics 1 – Cell Division & Segregating Genetic Material.
13. Genetics 2 – Rules of Inheritance.
14. Genetics 3 – Linkage, Crossing Over.
15. Genetics 4 – The power of model organisms in biological discovery.
16. Recombinant DNA, Cloning, & Editing.
17. Genomes and DNA Sequencing.
18. SNPs & Human genetics.
19. Cell Trafficking and Protein Localization.
20. Cell Signaling 1 – Overview.
21. Cell Signaling 2 – Examples.
22. Neurons, Action Potential, & Optogenetics.
23. Cell Cycle and Checkpoints.
24. Stem Cells, Apoptosis, & Tissue Homeostasis.
25. Cancer 1.
26. Cancer 2.
27. Visualizing Life – Dyes and Stains.
28. Visualizing Life - Fluorescent Proteins.
29. Cell Imaging Techniques.
30. Immunology 1 – Diversity, Specificity, & B cells.
31. Immunology 2 – Memory, T cells, & Autoimmunity.
32. Infectious Disease, Viruses, and Bacteria.
33. Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance.
34. Viruses and Anti-Viral Resistance.
35. Reproductive Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cells.