This page collects a series of posts I’ve created dealing specifically with identification of the key concepts (as opposed to topics ) for teaching introductory biology, as well as thoughts on order and methods of presentation. I’ve also included some links to interactive simulations and challenges designed to engage students and allow them to get their heads into key ideas.
Overview: Key Concepts for Introductory Biology
the Periodic Table
Overview: Central Dogma concepts and order
Monomers and polymers in DNA and protein
self assembly: without this, nothing
Hemoglobin as protein exploration
DNA (see also thinkBio BasePairer interactive)
basepairing: where it matters
amino acids and their roles
the TCA cycle
viewing cellular components as machines
incorporating evolution into Intro cell/molecular