BIOL 107 - Energy Flow in Biological Systems

Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)

All life requires the transformation of energy, from plant growth to animal behavior. The focus of this course is to delve into the flow of energy through different levels of biological systems, from within cells to the biosphere. At a cellular level, we examine how and why eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms transform energy. We then shift to a population and community level to explore how energy is transferred between organisms, starting with photosynthesis in autotrophs (e.g., food webs and trophic interactions). At an ecosystem level, we discuss the flow of energy in biogeochemical cycles and the implications for energy flow in the biosphere under global change. The Department.

Three 50-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS