The aim of this course is to provide a straightforward explanation of the workings of the living cell i.e. how the molecules in the cell -
We will also consider how cells are organised into organisms and how these organisms -
It is hoped that this course will enable you to understand
the significance of the discoveries of the last fifty years
that have provided us with so much information
that fundamentally influences the decisions we make with regard to our own health and the environment.
No previous knowledge of Science is required -
The presentation is informal, with use made of computer projection.
Active participation by members is encouraged and extra items suggested by them are welcomed.
All living organisms are composed of cells of which there are two types :
Prokaryotic cells, e.g. Bacteria
Eukaryotic cells, almost all other organisms.
So understanding how cells function gives an understanding
of the whole organism.
Cells and therefore organisms carry out 7 life functions.
The physiology topics to be covered
include circulation, breathing, movement and the endocrine system.
Week 1 Blood 1
Respiration -
Tissue -
The Leader says: “Many of the above functions could not be carried out in large organisms without a transport system so we may look at how organisms move crucial chemicals about.
In order to understand these processes we will start by looking at the important chemicals in the cell carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids and also the structure of the cell.
Much of the current news about biology is about disease and its treatment and I hope to deal with some of these issues though some techniques like gene therapy and stem cell therapy are still a long way away, whatever the papers say.
I hope that members of the course will want to ask questions and I hope to include
these with their answers -