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- Semester 1
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:
Thursday 3 April 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 5)
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:
Wednesday 2 April 2014 (week 10)
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 (Term 1): note: TBA = to be advised
DATES
Wk 1- 2
31/01/14 –
07/02/14
LEARNING AREAS
Chapter 1- Cells: Discovery and Exploration
- Microscopes as tools for viewing cells
WORK DUE
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets
Wk 3-4
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.
SAC 1: Body Shape vs. Diffusion
Wed 26 Feb 2014
Test- Topic TBA in wk 3
Thu 20 Feb 2014
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.
SAC 2: Enzyme Efficiency
Wed 12 Mar 2014
Wk 5-7
24/02/14 –
14/03/14
Wk 8-10
17/03/14 –
04/04/14
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Chapter 4- Cell Replication
- Key aspects of mitosis and cytokinesis
- Cell cycle
- Cell death (apoptosis)
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets
Test- Topic TBA in wk 8
Fri 28 March 2014
Assessment Task 1- Part B Cell Replication
Wed 2 Apr 2014
TIMELINE (Term 2):
DATES
Wk 11 – 12
(starting
22/04/14)
LEARNING AREAS
Chapter 5- Obtaining Energy and Nutrients for Life
- Requirements of living things, autotrophs, heterotrophs
- Producing organic compounds— photosynthesis
- Heterotrophic organisms—nutritional requirements
- Digestion—importance of
- Mammalian digestive systems—herbivores, carnivores,
omnivores
WORK DUE
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets
Wk 13- 15
Chapter 6- Distribution of Materials
- Gaseous exchange—in air/water
- Gas exchange in different kinds of animals—features of
respiratory surfaces
- Gas exchange in mammals—respiratory system
- Transporting gases—pigments
- Gas exchange in plants—stomata, guard cells, other
tissues
- Open/closed circulatory systems
- Mammalian transport systems—structures, function
- Transport systems in plants Xylem, phloem
Transpiration, translocation
- Metabolic wastes—nitrogenous, ammonia, urea, uric
acid
- Excretory mechanisms
- Mammalian excretory system—kidney
- Metabolic wastes in plants—excretory mechanisms
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets and Prac. Report.
SAC 1: Transport in Plants
2014
Assessment Task 1- Part A
2014
Chapter 7- Reproduction
- Reproduction—types of asexual reproduction
- Sexual reproduction—meiosis, gametes, variation
- Sexual reproduction in animals Human reproductive
system
- Human life-cycle—development
- Sexual reproduction in flowering plants— structures,
roles
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets and Prac. Report.
**~~Unit 1 EXAM~~**
Chapter 8- Ordering the Living World
- Classifying organisms—reasons
- Classification groups, levels, binomial system
- Major classification groups—kingdoms, domains
- Identifying organisms—using keys
2014
Concept Maps, Questions,
Worksheets
SAC 2: Keying out creatures— designing a
dichotomous key
2014
Wk 16- 18
Wk 19-20
Assessment Task 1- Part B
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