This course offers a fascinating and comprehensive journey into the foundations of life sciences, from defining the characteristics of life to exploring complex reproductive processes. Participants will investigate the attributes of living organisms, including their environmental responsiveness, growth and development, reproduction, homeostasis maintenance, and complex metabolism, while emphasizing their unique cellular structure. The course delves into cell theory, covering the history of cell discovery and exploring the vast diversity of cell types and the importance of shared organelles. We will conduct an in-depth comparison between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, examining their similarities and differences, and discuss the intriguing question: Is a virus considered a cell? We will explore cell organelles in detail, including the phospholipid membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria, and investigate the structure and function of the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, vesicles, and centrioles. We will focus on the unique structure of plant cells, including the cell wall and chloroplasts, and examine vital processes such as diffusion, osmosis, and passive and active transport. The course will delve into energy production processes like photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and explore cell division processes – mitosis and meiosis – in all their stages. Finally, we will conclude with a comprehensive overview of reproductive processes, including asexual and sexual reproduction, while understanding key concepts such as haploid, diploid, and genetic variation. Throughout the course, we will incorporate practical and relevant examples from medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology to demonstrate the importance of understanding these fundamentals in everyday life and current scientific developments.

* The course material will be tailored to the age of the learners.