Welcome to Biology and Honors Biology!
Biology and Honors Biology are introduction to the sciences of living things. You already learned some biology in elementary and middle school, but now we are going to build upon that knowledge even further by studying organisms in even greater depth!
Biology Quick Links
Course Outline
Unit 0: Experimental Design
Unit 1: Characteristics and Classification of Life
Unit 2: Biochemistry
Unit 3: Cell Structure, Function, and Diversity
Unit 4: Homeostasis and Cell Transport
Unit 5: Energy
Unit 6: Growth and Reproduction
Unit 7: Genetics
Unit 8: DNA, Protein Synthesis, and Biotechnology
Unit 9: Evolution and Adaptations
Unit 10: Ecology
Unit 0: Experimental Design
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can design experiments using the scientific method. (Honors)
- I can represent the data collected from experiments in appropriate and accurate graphs. (Honors)
- I can analyze the results collected from experiments by formulating scientific claims, evidence, and reasoning. (Honors)
Notes
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Unit 1: Characteristics and Classification of Life
LEARNING TARGET:
- I can distinguish between living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things using the characteristics of life.
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Key Vocabulary
abiotic asexual reproduction autotroph biology biotic decomposer DNA eukaryotic / eukaryote evolution heterotroph homeostasis metabolism multicellular nucleus of a cell (NOT of an atom) organism producer prokaryotic / prokaryote sexual reproduction stimulus (plural: stimuli) unicellular virus |
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can explain the history and changing nature of biological classification systems.
- I can compare the relationships between organisms based on their assigned taxa.
- I can use the characteristics of life to compare the kingdoms of life and to classify organisms into kingdoms. (Honors)
- I can create and use dichotomous keys to identify organisms based on their characteristics.
Notes
Textbook
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Review Links - Classification of Life
Video Playlist for Classification
Video Playlist for Domains and Kingdoms (Honors Only)
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Key Vocabulary - Classification
Aristotle binomial nomenclature Carl Linnaeus dichotomous key scientific name species taxon (or taxa, plural) taxonomy Key Vocabulary - Taxa domain kingdom phylum class order family genus specific epithet Key Vocabulary - Domains archaeabacteria (Domain Archaea) bacteria (Domain Eubacteria) eukaryotes (Domain Eukarya) Key Vocabulary - Kingdoms animal (Kingdom Animalia) fungi (Kingdom Fungi) plant (Kingdom Plantae) protist (Kingdom Protista) |
Unit 2: Biochemistry
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can relate chemistry concepts (including molecules, reactions, solutions, and pH) to living organisms. (Honors)
- I can compare the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
- I can explain and illustrate how enzymes act as catalysts for biochemical reactions, like digestion.
- I can create a cause-and-effect model for how certain environmental factors (pH, temperature, salinity) affect enzyme function.
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Key Vocabulary - Chemistry Basics
acid vs. base atom compound vs. molecule element hydrogen bond ion ionic bond vs. covalent bond monomer vs. polymer nucleus of an atom (NOT of a cell) polar molecule pH solute vs. solvent solution |
Review Links - Biomolecules
Virtual Labs/WebQuests
Video Playlist for Biomolecules
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Key Vocabulary - Biomolecules
amino acid biochemistry carbohydrate cellulose cholesterol disaccharide (e.g. sucrose, lactose) DNA fatty acid glucose glycogen hemoglobin insulin lipid monosaccharide (e.g. glucose, fructose) nucleic acid nucleotide phospholipid polysaccharide protein RNA starch sucrose waxes |
Review Links - Enzymes
Virtual Labs/WebQuests
Video Playlist for Enzymes |
Key Vocabulary - Enzymes
activation energy active site catalyst chemical reaction denature enzyme enzyme-substrate complex product reactant substrate |
Unit 3: Cell Structure, Function, and Diversity
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can explain how the invention of the microscope led to the discovery of cells and unicellular organisms.
- I can identify, illustrate, and describe cell structures (i.e. organelles) and their functions.
- I can compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells based on size, complexity, and structure.
- I can identify and explain the adaptations unicellular organisms (bacteria, protists) use to survive in their environment.
- I can explain how cells differentiate their structures and their functions in multicellular organisms.
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Key Vocabulary - Microscopes
Anton von Leeuwenhoek bacteria light microscope protists Robert Hooke scanning electron microscope transmission electron microscope unicellular vs. multicellular |
Review Links - Cell Structures
Video Playlist for Cell Structures
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Key Vocabulary - Cell Structures
cell membrane cell wall cellulose central vacuole chlorophyll chloroplast chromatin cytoplasm eukaryotic mitochondria nucleus (of a cell) organelle photosynthesis plasmid prokaryotic ribosome vacuole |
Review Links - Protists
Video Playlist for Protists
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Key Vocabulary - Protists
chemotaxis cilia contractile vacuole eyespot flagellum phototaxis protist pseudopod |
Review Links - Stem Cells and Cell Differentiation
Video Playlist for Stem Cells and Cell Differentiation
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Key Vocabulary - Cell Diversity
cell differentiation/specialization embryo multicellular muscle cell nerve cell red blood cell sperm cells stem cells tissues and organs |
Unit 4: Cell Membranes, Cell Transport, and Homeostasis
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can relate the structure of the cell membrane (a.k.a. plasma membrane) to types of cell transport.
- I can compare and contrast active transport and passive transport based on energy use and concentration gradients.
- I can identify situations (e.g. Na-K Pump) where organisms require energy and active transport to maintain homeostasis. (Honors)
- I can predict how cells use osmosis to maintain water-solute balance across the cell membrane.
- I can explain how organisms respond to their internal/external environment (pH, temperature, blood glucose) to maintain homeostasis.
Notes
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Review Links - Membranes and Cell Transport
WebQuest for Membranes and Cell Transport
Video Playlist for Membranes and Cell Transport
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Key Vocab - Membranes and Transport
active transport ATP (energy) bilayer bulk transport cell membrane (AKA plasma membrane) channel protein concentration gradient diffusion dynamic equilibrium facilitated diffusion fluid mosaic model passive transport phospholipid selectively permeable semipermeable solute solution sodium-potassium pump endocytosis exocytosis |
Review Links - Osmosis
Lab Resources for Osmosis
Video Playlist for Osmosis
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Key Vocabulary - Osmosis
concentrated solution dilute solution distilled water hypertonic hypotonic isotonic osmosis plasmolysis |
Review Links - Homeostasis in the Body
Video Playlist for Homeostasis
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Key Vocabulary - Homeostasis
acidic acid rain basic (or alkaline) buffer denature diabetes estivation glucagon glucose glycogen hibernation homeostasis insulin pH |
Unit 5: Energy and Life / Photosynthesis and Respiration
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can analyze the reactants, products, and factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis.
- I can relate the evolution and structures of plants to their ability to more efficiently carry out photosynthesis. (Honors)
- I can explain how organisms use ATP as a currency for energy.
- I can analyze the reactants, products, and factors affecting the rate of cellular respiration.
- I can compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration based on reactants, products, and energy output.
- I can compare and contrast photosynthesis and cellular respiration and relate the processes within the carbon cycle. (Honors)
Notes
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Review Links - Photosynthesis
Lab Materials for Photosynthesis
Video Playlist for Photosynthesis
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Key Vocab - Photosynthesis
algae autotroph / producer carbon dioxide chemical reaction chemosynthesis chlorophyll chloroplast epidermis / epidermal cells mesophyll oxygen phloem photosynthesis product reactant reaction rate starch stomata thylakoid stacks transpiration xylem |
Review Links - Cellular Respiration
Video Playlist for Cellular Respiration
Video Playlist for Fermentation |
Key Vocab - Energy and Organisms
ADP aerobic respiration alcoholic fermentation anaerobic respiration ATP cytoplasm heterotroph / consumer lactic acid fermentation mitochondria muscle cell respiration yeast |
Unit 6: Growth and Reproduction
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can identify and organize the stages of the cell cycle and mitosis.
- I can relate the stages and products of the cell cycle and mitosis to growth and development, healing and regeneration, and asexual reproduction in both unicellular and multicellular organisms.
- I can explain the role of meiosis in sexual reproduction and in creating genetic variation.
- I can interpret karyotypes to identify the biological sex of individuals and to diagnose chromosomal disorders.
- I can compare and contrast reproductive adaptations for asexual reproduction and for sexual reproduction. (Honors)
Notes
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Review Links - Cell Cycle and Mitosis
Video Playlist for Cell Cycle and Mitosis
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Key Vocabulary
asexual reproduction binary fission cell cycle centriole/centrosome chromatin chromosome cytokinesis DNA replication G1 phase G2 phase interphase mitosis S phase sister chromatid spindle fiber / mitotic spindle tumor |
Review Links - Meiosis and Sex Cells
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Key Vocab - Meiosis and Karyotypes
diploid egg embryo fertilization haploid homologous chromosomes meiosis polar body sexual reproduction sperm zygote |
Review Links - Chromosomes and Karyotypes
Video Playlist for Chromosomes and Karyotypes
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Key Vocab - Karyotypes
autosome Down Syndrome / Trisomy 21 karyotype nondisjunction sex chromosome Turner Syndrome / Monosomy X |
Unit 7: Genetics
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can use the vocabulary of genetics to describe how genes are passed down from parents to offspring.
- I can interpret and solve simple genetics problems (Mendelian/complete dominance) using monohybrid Punnett Squares.
- I can use dihybrid crosses to illustrate the law of independent assortment. (Honors)
- I can interpret and solve genetics problems involving complex patterns of dominance using Punnett Squares.
- I can interpret and solve genetics problems involving blood types using Punnett Squares.
- I can interpret and solve genetics problems involving sex-linked traits using Punnett Squares.
- I can identify and describe the heredity of polygenic traits.
- I can use pedigrees to analyze the inheritance of genetic disorders.
- I can explain how genes and the environment interact to influence traits.
Notes
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Key Vocabulary - Basic Genetics
allele dominant gene genetics genotype genotypic ratio Gregor Mendel heredity heterozygous / hybrid homozygous / purebred Law of Independent Assortment Law of Segregation monohybrid cross phenotype phenotypic ratio Punnett square recessive trait |
Review Links - Advanced Genetics
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Key Vocabulary - Advanced Genetics
ABO blood types antibody antigen albinism autosome carrier chromosome codominance Cystic Fibrosis dihybrid cross dwarfism hemoglobin hemophilia Huntington's disease incomplete dominance melanin multiple alleles muscular dystrophy pedigree polygenic trait red blood cell red-green colorblindness sex chromosome sex-linked gene Sickle Cell Anemia |
Unit 8: DNA, Protein Synthesis, and Biotechnology
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can explain how the mysteries of DNA's structure and function were solved with scientific experiments.
- I can identify the structural components of DNA.
- I can relate the structure of DNA to its ability to replicate itself.
- I can explain the process of using gel electrophoresis to create a DNA fingerprint.
- I can interpret DNA fingerprints to solve criminal cases and to compare the relatedness of individuals and species.
- I can explain and illustrate how through protein synthesis, DNA and RNA code for proteins that create traits.
- I can identify the causes of mutations and create a cause-and-effect model for how they affect an organism's traits.
- I can summarize the process of creating genetically modified organisms in order to benefit society.
Notes
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Review Links - DNA Structure and Replication
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Key Vocabulary - DNA Structure
adenine and thymine chromosome cytosine and guanine DNA DNA replication double helix double-stranded Erwin Chargaff gene hydrogen bond nucleotide nucleus Oswald Avery Rosalind Franklin semi-conservative Watson and Crick |
Review Links - DNA Profiling
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Key Vocabulary - DNA Profiling
DNA fingerprint or DNA profile gel electrophoresis restriction enzyme |
Review Links - RNA and Protein Synthesis
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Key Vocabulary
amino acid anticodon cytoplasm gene mRNA nucleotide nucleus protein protein synthesis ribosome rRNA single-stranded vs. double-stranded trait transcription translation tRNA uracil |
Key Vocabulary - Mutations
deletion mutation insertion mutation mutagen mutation substitution mutation |
Review Links - Genetic Engineering
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Key Vocabulary - Genetic Engineering
bacteria biotechnology gene cloning genetic engineering GMO insulin plasmid recombinant DNA restriction enzyme transgenic |
Unit 9: Evolution and Adaptations
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can develop a cause-and-effect model for how natural selection functions as a mechanism of evolution.
- I can explain and model how genetic drift functions as a mechanism of evolution.
- I can illustrate the role of geographic isolation in speciation.
- I can compare organisms on a phylogenetic tree in terms of relatedness.
- I can use multiple evidences (fossil, anatomical, molecular, embryologic) to construct explanations for how organisms evolve over time.
- i can explain how the conditions of early earth could have allowed for the first organisms to evolve.
- I can explain how disease agents (bacteria, viruses) and pests can evolve by natural selection.
Notes
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Virtual Labs/WebQuests
Review Links - Natural Selection
Review Links - Other Evolution Review Links - Antibiotic Resistance |
Key Vocabulary
adaptation allelic frequency antibiotic antibiotic resistance artificial selection camouflage Charles Darwin common ancestor directional selection disruptive selection evolution gene frequency gene pool gene vs. allele genetic drift geographic isolation mimicry natural selection phylogenetic tree / cladogram relative dating sexual selection speciation species stabilizing selection |
Review Links - Evidences of Evolution
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Vocabulary - Evidences of Evolution
absolute dating analogous structure embryological evidence of evolution fossil homologous structure molecular evidence of evolution vestigial structure |
Review Links - Origins of Life
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Vocabulary - Origins of Life
endosymbiosis Miller-Urey Experiment |
LEARNING TARGETS
- I can identify examples of innate, learned, and social animal behaviors.
- I can analyze how behavioral adaptations improve animals' survival and reproductive success.
Notes
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Review Links - Animal Behavior
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Key Vocabulary - Animal Behavior
circadian rhythm conditioning dominance hierarchy estivation habituation hibernation imprinting innate behavior learned behavior mating ritual migration pheromones stimulus taxis territoriality |
Unit 10: Ecology
LEARNING TARGETS:
- I can describe how populations grow and when populations are naturally limited in their growth.
- I can explain how species interact with each other in biological communities.
- I can trace how energy flows and how nutrients cycle through ecosystems.
- I can relate how human activities impact the biosphere and biodiversity.