This course will examine the processes that define life and living conditions. An overview of the chemistry of life will include how living things are made of atoms bonded together to form organic molecules. An in depth study of the cell will include structure and function, cell division, cell energy, and the cell in its environment, which will include proper techniques in microscopy.
Genetics will be studied as genes are a set of instructions encoded inthe DNA sequence of each organism that specify the sequence of amino acids in protein characteristics of that organism. The Human Biology section will include an overview of anatomy and physiology with special emphasis on the relationship between structure and function of organ systems in humans.
A section on Evolution and Biodiversity will include the fact that they are a result of genetic changes that occur in constantly changing environments, and Ecology will be included with its main focus on the interaction between living organism and their environment.
The primary text used in this course is:
- College Prep Level Book – Johnson, Raven; Biology, Holt, Rineltart, Winston 2004.
- Standard Level Book – Cronkite, Science Explorer; Cells and Heredity, Pearson Prentice Hall 2005.
Cycle Scope and Sequence
(Tentative)
Cycle 1 – Organization of Life
– Chemistry of Life
Cycle 2 – Cell Structure and Function
- Anatomy Physiology
- Cells and Their Environment
- Active/Passive Transpire
Cycle 3 – Cell Energy
- Photosynthesis
- Cellular Respiration
Cycle 4 – Chromosome and Cell Division
- Mitosis and Meiosis
Cycle 5 – Genetics/Heredity
Cycle 6 – DNA/RNA/Protein Synthesis
Cycle 7 – Evolution
Cycle 8 – Ecosystems
Cycle 9 – Human Biology