Unit 1 - Science of Life
Chapter 1
The students will discuss the background of why biology is important to daily life as well as the importance of "interdependence". They will also practice the proper steps to designing and running a scientifically valid experiment.
Activities include:
The students will discuss the background of why biology is important to daily life as well as the importance of "interdependence". They will also practice the proper steps to designing and running a scientifically valid experiment.
Activities include:
- "Come Fly With Me" Lab
- Students cut and fold a paper helicopter and test with the drop speed or spin direction when the propellers are manipulated.
- Microscope Activity
- Students practice proper microscope handling technique and focus in on a printed "e".
Unit 2 - Biochemistry
Chapter 2-3
The students will discuss the structure of atoms and molecules, differentiating between the types of bonding. They will also learn the various properties of water and test each property in a series of mini experiments. The end of the unit culminates with discussing and modeling the four macromolecules, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These molecules, along with water, are universal across all life, and are essential for survival.
Activities include:
The students will discuss the structure of atoms and molecules, differentiating between the types of bonding. They will also learn the various properties of water and test each property in a series of mini experiments. The end of the unit culminates with discussing and modeling the four macromolecules, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. These molecules, along with water, are universal across all life, and are essential for survival.
Activities include:
- Atom Diagraming
- Students will practice calculating charges and masses of different biologically important atoms.
- Bonding Activity
- Students will model the differences and similarities between ionic and covalent bonds.
- Water Properties Lab
- Students will perform various mini experiments to observe and test the properties of water.
- Build the Macromolecules Activity
- Students will use large paper models to create an example of the macromolecules and model how the bonding reactions occur.
- Murder and a Meal Lab
- Students will determine where a "murder victim" ate by testing for the presence of macromolecules in a "stomach sample" (ground up foods).
Unit 3 - Cells
Chapters 4-5
These chapters will be more familiar to students. We will discuss the parts of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and how they function. The students will also learn how cells transport materials into and out of themselves. If cells can't transport, they die.
Activities include:
These chapters will be more familiar to students. We will discuss the parts of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and how they function. The students will also learn how cells transport materials into and out of themselves. If cells can't transport, they die.
Activities include:
- Cell Compare and Contrast
- Students will draw out a typical prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell and diagram the similarities and differences.
- Cheek Cell vs Onion Cell Lab
- Students will use a microscope to compare and contrast at the cells of a onion (plant cells) and some of their own cheek cells (animal cells).
- Egg Osmosis Lab
- Students will analyze what happens when an egg is left in either pure water or corn syrup overnight. Tracking the changes in mass will allow them to explain where water is being transported within the egg.
Unit 4 - Cell Metabolism
Chapters 6-7
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are closely linked, and we will be looking at the detailed processes together. Students will learn how plants are able to use sunlight and air to make sugar, and how all living organisms are able to take that sugar and make usable energy.
Activities include:
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are closely linked, and we will be looking at the detailed processes together. Students will learn how plants are able to use sunlight and air to make sugar, and how all living organisms are able to take that sugar and make usable energy.
Activities include:
- Photosynthesis Bioman
- Using a virtual simulation, students will be able to follow the complicated steps of photosynthesis as they happen.
- Fermentation Lab
- Students will test how different sugars affect the activity of yeast by measuring the change in diameter of the balloons they are placed in.
MIDTERM - UNITS 1-4
Unit 5 - Genetics
Chapter 8-10
Unit 6 - Anatomy Systems
No chapters - each system will get a one-class overview.
Post MCAS
Comparative anatomy