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Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation
Biology
Biology 211 - Spring 2009
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| Course
Information |
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| Problems
and
Case Studies (some links are password protected)
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Since we will be working in permanent
teams throughout this course, it will be necessary that you evaluate
the contribution of your teammates to the group effort. Please read the instructions
before you complete the
on-line
peer evaluation form.
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| Lecture
Notes
(password protected) - Please print lecture notes and bring to class!
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| Research
and Writing Resources |
Assignments/Class
Supplemental Readings
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Discussion Resources/Readings
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Study Guides/RATS
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Biology Links
General
Biology
Nature
Science Updates
This site from Nature has
current
and archived articles from one of the premier international scientific
magazines. This site will provide you with excellent sources for
class projects.
Scientific
American - Past issues, explorations,
exhibits,
feature articles and much more!
Darwin
Day Celebration - An International
Recognition
of Science and Humanity
Charles
Darwin - essay on the author of "On the Origin of Species"
and
the theory of adaptive evolution by natural selection
Charles
Darwin - On line publication of "On the Origin of Species", also
Darwin's actual logs during the voyage of the Beagle, and an on line
publication
of "The Decent of Man"....Wow!!!!
The
Talk.Origins Archive - Explore the evolution/creation controversy.
5
Major Misconceptions about Evolution
Embryonic
Zoo - Check
out the video clips of embryonic development of different vertebrates.
Science
and Creationsim - A view from the National Academy of Science
Genetic
drift - detailed discussion from The Talk.Origins archive
Speciation
The
Hawaiian Silversword Alliance - The Hawaiian silversword alliance
consists
of about 30 species in three genera. The
species exhibit an extraordinary range of anatomical,
morphological,
and ecological adaptations but are exceedingly closely related as
judged
by data from biosystematics and molecular studies. The evidence
favors
the conclusion that all of this diversity evolved from a single
ancestor
that colonized Hawaii by way of long-distance dispersal from North
America
(adaptive radiation).
Macroevolution
and Systematics
Introduction
to Phylogenetic Systematics - cladistic phylogenetics presented by
the UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology
The
Tree of Life - Current phylogenetic relationships of life on earth.
RadioCarbon
Web Page - Gives some great applications of radiocarbon dating
along
with an easy to understand summary of the process.
The
Origin of Life
People
and Discoveries - Stanley Miller - an article about Stanley
Miller's
experiment on the spontaneous origin of organic molecules.
Life
in the Abyss - PBS/NOVA On-line - A mile and a half beneath the
sea
off the Pacific Northwest coast, a volcanic ridge has given birth to
towering
structures that spew toxic, superheated water. The structures,
known
as black smoker chimneys, are home to bizarre life forms that thrive
far
beyond the reach of the sun's light.
Prokaryotes
Microbe
Zoo - The Digital Learning Center for
Microbial
Ecology at Michigan State University has set up this great digital zoo
to introduce you to microbes and their habitats. You'll likely be
surprised!
Origins of Eukaryotic Diveristy
Endosymbiotic
Theory - A nice paper summarizing Lynn Margulis' endosymbiotic
theory
and current supporting evidence.
Algae
- Bowling Green State Center for Algal Microscopy
An
Introduction to Slime Molds - oooooh!!!
Electron
Micrographs of Diatoms - pretty cool pictures!
World
Health Organization - Division of Tropical Diseases - Wow!...some
great
information on various diseases caused by protozoans (Shistosomiasis,
African
Trypanosomiasis, Malaria etc...)
Protist
Image Data - lots of images and information on protozoans and algae
Plant Diversity
Introduction
to the Plantae - Life history, systematics and morphology
Canoe
Plants of Ancient Hawai`i - describes the cultural and medicinal
uses
of plants Polynesians brought to Hawaii in their canoes
The
Hawaiian Silversword Alliance - learn all about the amazing state
plant
of Hawaii and its ancestors.
Poinsonous
Plants Home Page - includes plant images, pictures of affected
animals
and presentations concerning
the botany, chemistry, toxicology, diagnosis and prevention of
poisoning
of animals by plants and
other natural flora (fungi, etc.). From Cornell University.
Invertebrates
The
Cnidarian Home Page - Images, links etc...
From
the
UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology, introductions to various
invertebrate
phyla, including excellent photos:
- Phylum
Porifera - Sponges
- Phylum
Ctenophora - comb jellies
- Phylum
Platyhelminthes - Flatworms, parasitic flukes and tapeworms
- Phylum
Nemertea - ribbon worms
- Phylum
Nematoda - this page actually covers various "worm-like" phyla,
including
nematodes and rotifers,
grouped together as the "Aschelminthes"
- Phylum
Annelida - segmented worms: earthworms, leetches, fan worms and
other
polychaetes
- Phylum
Arthropoda - insects, lobsters, shrimp,
crabs,
barnacles, copepods, etc.
- Phylum
Bryozoa - moss animals
- Phylum
Brachiopoda - lamp shells
- Phylum
Phoronida - phoronid worms
- Phylum
Echinodermata - sea stars, brittle stars, sea cucumbers, sea
urchins,
sand dollars
- Phylum
Hemichordata - acorn worms
- Phylum
Chordata - this phylum includes the Vertebrata, but also two
invertebrate
groups:
- Phylum
Mollusca - snails, clams, oysters, slugs, octopus, squid, etc.
Dust
mites - they are living right under your nose! This page,
from
Cells Alive!, also includes a link to a page describing the immune
reaction
that is responsible for the itchy allergic reaction to dust mite
droppings.
Australian
Spiders - includes lots of interesting information on myths
attached
to spiders
Class
Insecta - includes insect lore, photographs, and the Bug of the
Month
Vertebrates
Vertebrata
- from the UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology
Ancient
feathered animal challenges dinosaur-bird link
Comments, suggestions, or
requests to petersj@cofc.edu.
Last updated 2 Sep 2008. College of Charleston.
