Biology involves the study of life and focuses on the basic characteristics and interactions of plants, animals, and microorganisms in our environment. Topics include the history of biology, the cell and cell processes, genetics and heredity, cycles in nature, photosynthesis and respiration, ecology, and continuity of life.
Essential Questions:
- How do parts of a system interact to maintain homeostasis?
- How does the structure of an object or living thing determine its properties and functions?
Title
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
Molecules in Motion: Biochemistry
(Units 1 & 2)
Microscopic Marvels of Nature
(Unit 3)
From Genes to Generations
(Units 4 & 5)
The Interconnected Living Web
(Units 6 & 7)
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Focus of the Story
What chemical and biochemical processes and features are essential for life? We begin by looking at how scientific investigations help us to shape our understanding of science. Our study of biology will start with the smallest parts of matter (atoms) and progress to larger levels of organization throughout the year. This builds on our understanding of processes essential to life from Life Science.
How does the structure of the cell and its parts allow for necessary life processes? We will learn that all living things are made of cells. We will build on our understanding from Life Science of several cellular processes such as how cells exchange materials with their environments as well as how cells reproduce.
How does the information contained in DNA relate to traits found in organisms and passed through generations? Next, we will build on our understanding of genetic information from Life Science. We will learn how cells use the information contained in DNA to build proteins. We will observe how some genetic traits provide an advantage to organisms and as conditions in the environment change, so do the traits we see in a population.
How are organisms related to one another in the web of life? In this final portion of the course, we zoom out and look at how organisms are related to one another in the web of life. We also observe how interconnected the parts of an ecosystem are and how humans impact ecosystem dynamics.
Transfer Goals
- Ask questions driven by curiosity on a given event or process in the natural world based on observations or data. (Thinkers and Inquirers)
- Plan and carry out investigations or use a design process to answer a question or solve a problem. (Problem Solvers and Value Creators)
- Ask questions driven by curiosity on a given event or process in the natural world based on observations or data. (Thinkers and Inquirers)
- Analyze and interpret data to determine its validity or usefulness, identify patterns and relationships, and/or draw conclusions. (Thinkers and Inquirers; Knowledgeable)
- Ask questions driven by curiosity on a given event or process in the natural world based on observations or data. (Thinkers and Inquirers)
- Communicate results, solutions, or findings to inspire further inquiry and courses of action. (Communicators and Collaborators; Personally and Socially Responsible)
- Define problems through research into what is already known and think creatively about what solutions might be possible. (Problem Solvers and Value Creators; Personally and Socially Responsible
- Analyze and interpret data to determine its validity or usefulness, identify patterns and relationships, and/or draw conclusions. (Thinkers and Inquirers; Knowledgeable)
Learning Targets
- I will explain how the properties of water make life possible on Earth.
- I will investigate and understand how enzymes impact chemical reactions in living organisms.
- I will describe how the processes of cell respiration and photosynthesis are interrelated.
- I will describe how all living things are composed of one or more cells that support life processes, as described by the cell theory.
- I will investigate and understand that there are levels of structural organization in living things.
- I will investigate and understand that cells and organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations.
- I will explain how organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations.
- I will describe how the information in DNA is used by cells to build proteins.
- I will investigate and understand that populations evolve and change over time through the process of natural selection.
- I will describe how organisms are classified based on physical structures, embryology, genetics, and evolutionary relationships.
- I will investigate and understand that organisms are part of a living system and demonstrate interdependence with other organisms and the environment.