V.C.E. BIOLOGY UNIT 1 - UNITY AND DIVERSITY
STUDENT GUIDE
2014
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Al SIRAAT COLLEGE
V.C.E. BIOLOGY UNIT 1 - UNITY AND DIVERSITY
STUDENT GUIDE Term 1 ONLY
Organisms are made up of cells. All organisms are faced with the challenge of obtaining
nutrients and water, a source of energy, a means of disposing their waste products and a
means of reproducing themselves. In this unit students will investigate the structure and
function of cells and the manner in which all living things meet the challenge of finding
the requirements for life.
Areas of Study
1.
Cells in Action (Term 1)
The first area of study focuses on the activities of cells. Students investigate the
relationship between specialised structures of cells and the processes that maintain life.
2.
Functioning Organisms (Term 2)
In this area of study students will focus on the relationship between features of organisms
and how organisms meet their requirements for life.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1.
Classroom Journal
Due Date:
Monday 31 March 2014
To satisfactorily complete this task students must maintain a classroom journal of all
activities completed in class and homework activities.
Students are expected to complete concept maps (in CR) using Popplet after every
chapter and answer all questions as indicated below. These will include the following:
QC= Quick-Check, BC- Biochallenge, CR= Chapter Review.
Chapter Questions (QC and Review)
Chapter 1 QC 1 – 11, CR 1-5
Chapter 2 QC 1 – 16, CR 1, 3 – 7
Chapter 3 QC 1 – 15, CR 1, 3 – 6, 9.
Chapter 4 QC 1 – 8, BC 1-2, CR 1 – 6
Practical Activities
Prac. Body Shape vs Diffusion (20%)
Prac. Enzyme Efficiency (20%)
Criteria for Assessment (S/N only)
nb. contribution to the Biology Blog (http://alsiraatbiology14.wordpress.com/) is also an
essential component for success.
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2.
Assessment Task 1- Cells in Action
Part A: Multimedia Presentation: Cell Organelles (20%)
Due Date:
Friday 28 February 2014 (week 4)
Students are to choose an appropriate multimedia form (could be a wiki, blog,
powerpoint slideshow, moviemaker presentation, etc) that can be used to explain the
structure and function of the following 10 cell organelles:
 cell wall
 large vacuoles
 cell membrane
 chloroplasts
 nucleus
 endoplasmic reticulum
 mitochondria
 golgi apparatus
 ribosomes
 lysosomes
As part of this task students will need to explain the three obvious differences between
plant and animal cells. Students may work in pairs.
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria must be addressed for a satisfactory completion of the work
requirement. These criteria will also be used to assess level of achievement (A+ UG/NA)
1. Structure of all 10 organelles are described.
2. Function of all 10 organelles are described.
3. The link between the structure and the function of the organelles is discussed.
4. The difference between plant and animal cells is explained.
5. Appropriate graphics are used to complete this task as a multi-media presentation.
Part B. Poster: Cell Replication (20%)
Due Date:
Monday 31 March 2014 (week 9)
In a poster format (A2 maximum), students are to explain the purpose of cell replication
and the three stages that is goes through:
 Interphase
 Mitosis
 Cytokinesis
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria must be addressed for a satisfactory completion of the work
requirement. These criteria will also be used to assess level of achievement (A+ UG/NA)
1. Purpose of replication clearly stated.
2. All three stagesof cell replication clearly explained.
3. Graphical content appropriate to explain message.
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Part C. 2 Short Topic Tests (20%)- 10% each
Students will be required to complete topic assessments in test format.
Topics may include:
 cell theory
 membranes
 properties of cells
(diffusion/osmosis/active
 differences between cells
transport/facilitated diffusion)
 enzymes
 communication between cells
 energy (photosynthesis and
 cell replication/specialisation and
cellular respiration)
cell death
TIMELINE: note: TBA = to be advised
DATES
Cycle 1
03/02/14 –
07/02/14
LEARNING AREAS
Chapter 1- Cells: Discovery and Exploration
- Microscopes as tools for viewing cells
WORK DUE
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets
Fri 07 Feb 2014
Cycle 2
10/02/14 –
21/02/14
Chapter 2- Structure and Function of Cells
- Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- Cell structure and organisation
- Cell organelles and functions
- Transport across membranes
- Surface area to volume ratio
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets and Prac. Report.
Fri 21 Feb 2014
SAC 1: Body Shape vs. Diffusion
Test- Topic and Date TBA
Cycle 3
24/02/14 –
14/03/14
Assessment Task 1- Part A Cell Organelles
Chapter 3- Composition of cells
- Role of enzymes
- Photosynthesis and cellular respiration
Fri 28 Feb 2014
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets and Prac. Report.
Fri 7 Mar 2014
SAC 2: Enzyme Effieiency
Cycle 4
17/03/14 –
04/04/14
Chapter 4- Cell Replication
- Key aspects of mitosis and cytokinesis
- Cell cycle
- Cell death (apoptosis)
Fri 14 Mar 2014
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets
Test- Topic and Date TBA
Assessment Task 1- Part B Cell Replication
Mon 31 Mar 2014
Fri 4 Apr 2014
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