Course Contents

COURSE CONTENTS THEORY 1. Cell Division Mitosis, cytokinesis, and the cell cycle: an overview; control of the cell cycle; meiosis: the basis of sexual reproduction; gamete formation. 2. Inheritance Patterns The birth of modern genetics; Mendelian inheritance patterns; other inheritance patterns; environmental effects and gene expression. 3. Chromosomes and Gene Linkage Eukaryotic chromosomes; linkage relationships; changes in chromosome number and structure. 4. Molecular Genetics: Ultimate Cellular Control DNA: the genetic material; DNA replication in eukaryotes; genes in action; control of gene expression in eukaryotes; mutations; applications of genetic technologies; recombinant DNA. 5. Animal Behaviour Four approaches to animal behaviour; proximate and ultimate causes; anthropomorphism; development of behaviour; learning; control of behaviour; communication; behavioural ecology; social behavior. 6. Evolution: A Historical Perspective Pre-Darwinian theories of change; Lamarck: an early proponent of evolution; early development of Darwin’s ideas of evolution and evidences; the theory of evolution by natural selection;evolutionary thought after Darwin;biogeography. 7. Evolution and Gene Frequencies The modern synthesis: a closer look; the Hardy-Weinberg theorem; evolutionary mechanisms: population size, genetic drift, natural selection, gene flow, mutation, and balanced polymorphism; species and speciation; rates of evolution; molecular evolution; mosaic evolution. BOOKS RECOMMENDED 1. Zoology. Miller, S.A. and Harley, J.B., 1999, 2002 and 2005. 4th, 5th & 6th Edition (International). Singapore: McGraw Hill. 2. Integrated Principles of Zoology. Hickman, C. P., Roberts, L.S. and Larson, A., 2004. 11th and 12th Edition (International). Singapore: McGraw Hill. 3. Biology of Invertebrates. Pechenik, J.A., 2000., 4th and 5th Edition (International). Singapore: McGraw Hill. 4. Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates.Kent, G.C. and Miller, S., 2001. New York. McGraw Hill. 5. Biology. Campbell, N.A., 2002. 6thEdition. Menlo Park, California: Benjamin / Cummings Publishing Company, Inc. PRACTICALS 1. Study of mitosis in onion root tip. 2. Study of meiosis in grasshopper testis (students should prepare the slide). (Note for 1-2: Prepared microscopic and/or projection slides and/or CD ROM computer projections must be used). 3. Problem based study of Mendelian ratio in animals. 4. Multiple alleles study in blood groups. 5. Survey study of a genetic factor in population and its frequency. 6. Study of karyotypes of Drosophila, Mosquito. 7. Study of cytochemical detection of DNA in protozoa and avian blood cell. 8. Study of stages in the development of an Echinoderm. 9. Study of early stages in the development of a frog, chick and a mammal. (Note for 8-9: Prepared slides and preserved specimen and/or projection slides and or CD ROM computer projections may be used). 10. Study to demonstrate nervous or endocrine basis of behaviour (conditioned reflex or aggression or parental behavior). 11. Study to demonstrate social behaviour (documentary film be shown, honey bee, monkey group in a zoo). BOOKS RECOMMENDED 1. General Zoology Laboratory Manual. Miller, S.A., 2002. 5th Edition (International) Singapore: McGraw Hill. 2. Laboratory Studies in Integrated Principles of Zoology. Hickman, C.P. and Kats, H.L., 2000. Singapore: McGraw Hill.