In our introductory lecture, Dr. Benjamin Bikman delves into the fundamentals of biology, focusing on the cell as the basic unit of life and its essential characteristics. He outlines seven criteria that define living organisms, explores the principles of cell theory, and examines the structural components of cells, highlighting the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Additionally, the lecture covers the various organelles within eukaryotic cells, their functions, and the critical role of the cell membrane in regulating the movement of molecules in and out of the cell.

In lecture two, we explore the vital concepts of cellular transport mechanisms, including diffusion and osmosis, and their roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The lecture examines various transport systems across cell membranes, from membrane-based structures like channels and transporters to vesicle-mediated transport methods such as endocytosis and exocytosis. The discussion concludes with detailed examples of transport mechanisms in action, including glucose transport in intestinal cells and the clinical applications of transport inhibitors in diabetes treatment.

In lecture three, Dr. Bikman describes the four major biomolecules essential for cellular function: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Dr. Bikman also delves into the structure and function of enzymes, explaining how these protein catalysts facilitate crucial cellular reactions, and explores their specificity in biological processes. Finally, we are introduced to the central dogma of molecular biology, detailing the flow of genetic information through DNA and RNA, which defines our unique biological identities.