Biology P

Units of Study: Fall Semester Units 1-4, Spring Semester Units 5-8

Unit 1 Biology Basics: What is biology and how do biologist learn?  Student will learn about scientific method and nature of science,chemistry of life and water properties, macromolecules and nutrition.

Unit 2 Structure and Function: How can the basic structure of the cell sustain life and provide the basis for all of life’s diversity? How do organisms live, grow and respond to their environment and reproduce?  Students will learn about Cell Theory and organelles, Cellular Transport, Mitosis and Cancer

Unit 3 Cycles of Energy and Matter : How do organisms use energy and matter from the environment to survive? How does the use of energy and matter by living organisms influence Earth’s systems? Students will learn about Enzymes, ATP, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, Trophic Pyramids and Food Webs, and the flow of energy in an ecosystem.

Unit 4 Genetics: How is the hereditary information in genes inherited and expressed? How does DNA control growth and function? Students will learn about DNA structure and Function, DNA Replication, how DNA controls our cells and body through Protein Synthesis, how our cells reproduce in Meiosis and how it differs from Mitosis.

Unit 5 Inheritance & Variation of traits: Why are all individuals within a population similar, yet unique? How are the characteristics of one generation passed to the next? Students will learn about Mendelian Genetics, complex inheritance patterns, mutations, Pedigree, Genetic disorders, & genetic engineering.

Unit 6 Natural Selection & Change Over Time: How do differences among individuals affect the characteristics of a population over time? How do we know populations of organisms change over time? How have the Earth’s changing environments influenced where & how organisms survive & proliferate over time? Students will learn about natural selection, mechanisms for change on a micro and macro level, Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, and evidence of change over time.

Unit 7 Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystem: How do Earth’s systems impact interactions between living & nonliving things?What happens to an ecosystem when environment changes? Student will learn about characteristics of life, relationships of organisms, cycles of matter, ecological succession, population growth patterns, and the interconnectedness of our biosphere.

Unit 8 Human Impact, Climate Change, & Biodiversity: How can we apply our understanding of humans’ influence on Earth’s systems to develop and maintain sustainable and resilient societies? Students will investigate the human impact on environment, and come up with possible solutions on how we can apply our understanding of Earth’s systems to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on natural resources, human populations, and biodiversity.