Grade 10 Biology
First Semester Exam Study Guide – December 2010
Topic
Depth (you should be able to…)
Class Resources
Text Reference
Nature of Science
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hypothesis vs.theory vs. law
research question
qualitative vs. quantitative
observations
variables (independent,
dependent, control)
data analysis
conclusion, evaluation
http://wilstar.com/theories.htm
Lab: mealworms
Exercises: biology skills
(research questions, variables)
1-1 What is Science p.3-7
1-2 How Scientists Work p.8-14
Lab: characteristics of life
Powerpoint: characteristics of life
Reference Sheet: timeline
Readings: photocopies from texts and
glossary of terms
Web Activity: geologic time
1-3 Studying Life p.15-17
identify, distinguish and list major
features of each
-list the 7 levels in order
-classify organisms
-distinguish between genus and
species names
-identify, distinguish and list major
features of each
-distinguish between kingdoms and
domains
create and use
Project: prezi presentations
Reference Sheet: summary of kingdoms
Activity: classification puzzles (bear and self
generated)
18-1 Finding Order in Diversity p.447-450
18-3 Kingdoms and Domains p. 457-461
identify one or two main events,
developments
distinguish and explain main ideas of
Lamarck and Darwin/Wallace
identify conditions necessary
explain in detail using examples
Web Activity: Becoming Human
distinguish
compose
distinguish between types of
observations
identify and define
perform and infer
compose, identify sources of error
Characteristics & Origins of Life
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characteristics of living things
identify
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geological time
know relative timeframe of major
developments in life (bacteria 
humans)
17-1 The Fossil Record p.417-422
17-2 Earth’s Early History p.423-428
(17-3 Evolution of Multicellular Life p.429-434)
Classification of Life
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6 kingdoms
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taxonomy, Linnaeus
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3 domains
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dichotomous keys
Reference sheet: domains chart
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life01zm.html
Classifying Organisms Using
Dichotomous Keys p. 462-463
(19-1 Bacteria p. 471-477)
(Chapter 20, Protists)
(Chapter 21, Fungi)
(22-1 Introduction to Plants p.551-555)
Activities: salamanders, shapes,
dichotomous key activity
Evolution
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human evolution
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theories of evolution
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natural selection
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artificial and sexual selection
identify examples
Readings: photocopies
Lab: Peppered Moth
Powerpoint: Natural Selection
Examples: Pesticide (red and white bugs),
Antibiotic Resistance
Activity: Types of Selection
15-1 The Puzzle of Life’s Diversity p.369-372
15-2 Ideas that Shaped Darwin’s Thinking p.373-376
15-3 Darwin Presents His Case p. 378-386
17-4 Patterns of Evolution p. 435-438
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evidence for evolution
Identify and explain in detail main
evidences using examples
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speciation
explain different modes of speciation
and importance of reproductive
isolation in the process
Reference Sheet: Evidence of Evolution
Lab: Homologous Structures
Lab: Biochemistry (amino acids)
Prezi: summary of evolution
Powerpoint: speciation
16-3 The Process of Speciation p.404-410
Ecology
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levels of organization: from
species to biosphere
energy flow: trophic levels
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cycles of matter
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community interactions
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biomes
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human impacts
identify and define
Powerpoint: Introduction to Ecology
Worksheet: Ecology (answers provided)
3-1 What is Ecology p. 63-64
-understand that energy flows through
the ecosystem and is not recycled;
most is lost as heat
-identify and distinguish between
producers and consumers
-create and analyze food chains, webs
-create and analyze ecological
pyramids
-identify main processes by which
water, carbon, nitrogen and
phosophorous are recycled in the
ecosystem, cycling between organic
and inorganic forms
-identify and distinguish between biotic
and abiotic factors
-describe a niche
-identify and distinguish between
different community interactions
-identify abiotic factors and biotic
factors for a single biome
-identify a human impact issue on the
biosphere
-identify causes of the problem and
possible solutions
Powerpoint: Energy Flow
Simulation: Haven’s Food Web
Activity: food web assignment
3-2 Energy Flow p. 67-73
Reconstruction of cycles of matter:
photocopies
Powerpoint: Cycles of Matter
3-3 Cycles of Matter p. 74-79
Powerpoint: Shaping Ecosystems (answers
provided)
4-2 What Shapes an Ecosystem p. 90-93
Powerpiont: Biomes
Project: biomes brochure
Project: human impacts
4-3 Biomes p. 98-105
4-4 Aquatic Ecosystems p. 106-112
Chapter 6 Humans in the Biosphere
-identify parts of the microscope
-recognize types of cells from CLM
images
-state the main components of cell
theory
-identify and distinguish between
Worksheet: microscope
Reference sheet: microscopic drawings
Lab: observing cells
7-1 Life is Cellular p.169-173
Cells
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microscopes & observing cells
under the a CLM
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cell theory
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prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic
cells
plant vs. animal cells
cells and evolution
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-identify and distinguish between
-relate the two theories
Prezi: cell theory