Biology C Block Fourth Quarter Syllabus
Double Day 1
Drop Day 4
Week of March 25-29, 2013
Wednesday double reserved for the test that was originally scheduled on the last
day of the third quarter.
We will begin the quarter with a brief discussion of homeostasis, the idea that
organisms maintain stable internal conditions despite an ever-changing external
environment. Please read pages 862-867 for this. We will then move into an
exploration of human body systems, beginning with the digestive system. We will
begin with a general overview and then work our way through from beginning to
end. Please read 876-881 for digestive system material.
Week of April 1 to April 5
Drop Tuesday
We will continue our study of the digestive system with a focus on the liver and
pancreas. We will then investigate the excretory system with a focus on the kidneys.
Please read 882-887 to learn about the excretory system. Our lab on Friday will be
an investigation of digestive enzyme function. The report will be due on Thursday,
April 11. Looking forward into next week, we will have a lab on Monday in which we
will investigate the properties of a digestive enzyme.
Week of April 8-12
Days 1-5
Lab Monday
Drop Thursday
Because of difficulties that we had with the lactase lab, we will finish it on
Wednesday. The report will be due on Wednesday of next week, April 17. This is a
formal report, so please refer to the report writing guidelines in the homework
folder, and feel free to ask any questions during class or come see me during ninth
period.
We will continue to learn about the functions of the digestive system, finishing with
the liver and pancreas. We will then move into the body to learn a little about the
fate of chemicals that enter the bloodstream and are then used for cellular
respiration among other things. This brings us inexorably to the kidneys, the main
organs of waste excretion. Please read 794-798 to learn about excretion in general
and how it functions in ridding the body of nitrogenous waste, and also in
maintaining blood homeostasis. Also, read (or review, if you read it last week) 882-
887 to learn about the human excretory system. We will discuss excretion in general
and human kidney function in particular whenever we are not working on the
lactase lab. Please be sure that you spend some time with the kidney graphics in
your book (or look some up online) so that you can understand the relationship
between the anatomy and function of the nephrons.
We will also have a homework assignment, which will be two questions about
digestive and excretory systems. The questions will be posted in the homework
section of the homework folder. Your thoughtful responses are due next Friday,
April 19.
Week of April 15-19
Days 6,7,1, 2; no class Thursday because of Earth Day
Double on Wednesday
Please review for a quiz on the digestive system on Friday. I will place a review
sheet in the test review section of the homework folder.
This week we will focus on the skeletal and muscular systems. We will explore these
tissues directly on Wednesday by dissecting chicken wings.
In preparation for our lab on Wednesday, please read 922-927 (skeleton) and 932934 (muscles and movement).
Later in the week we will learn how muscles work. Please read pages 928-931. Make
sure that you read this carefully because muscle contraction is pretty complicated.
Week of April 22-27
Days 3-7
Drop Tuesday
We will finish up with bones, muscles, and joints. There will be a quiz on the
excretory system next week, so please make sure you understand how the kidneys
work. I will put a review sheet in the homework folder.
Week of April 30-May 3
Days 1-4 Monday-Thursday, special schedule Friday
Double Monday, Drop Thursday
Senior award ceremony Friday, short classes
We will watch Hemo the Magnificent early in the week in order to learn about the
circulatory and respiratory systems.
Read about the circulatory system, pages 948-962
Kidney Quiz Friday
We will have a quiz on muscles, bones and joints next week. Please make sure you
understand these things, particularly muscle contraction. I will post a review sheet.
Week of May 6-May 10
Days 5,6,7,1,2
Double Thursday
We will continue to work on the circulatory system (both blood and lymphatic)
early in the week.
We will begin the rat dissection lab on Wednesday, continue it into Thurssday (our
double) and finish it on Friday.
We will then move into the respiratory system. Please read pages 963-969.
Week of May 13-17
Days 3-7. Senior last day Friday (Wednesday schedule)
We will finish up with the respiratory system and move into a study of the immune
system. Please read pages 1010-1027.