Objective 7  Fundamental concepts of organismal biology.

A short list of these concepts would include knowledge by the student of at least the following:

1)                  homeostatic regulatory mechanisms are essential for the growth, development, and survival of biological organisms

2)                  there is an enormous diversity to living organisms; there are standardized methods for classifying this diversity

3)                  the mechanisms of reproduction (sexual versus asexual) and of life cycle types are important for understanding how populations of unicellular and multicellular organisms are produced

4)                  structural, physiological, and behavioral adaptations contribute significantly to the success of organismal groups

5)                  the mechanisms of infection of host organisms by viruses, bacteria, pests, and parasites; such infections have significance relevance to disease states

6)                  behavioral ecology plays a significant role in the reproduction and evolution of animal societies, including man