Biology I HHS 09-10
Course Description:
The purpose of Biology is to give each individual an appreciation of the vast diversity of living things and their
special adaptations that allow these living things to function in a complex environment. Emphasis will be placed
on the application of biological concepts to everyday life. This course is designed in part to prepare students for
admission to a university.
Teaching Methods:
Teaching methods for this course include; lecture, demonstrations, laboratory experiments, and group discussion.
The course includes the use of PowerPoint presentations and Laptop for note taking, presentations, lab write ups,
research and correspondence.
The class utilizes Biology “Principles and Exploration” “Holt, Rinehart, and Winston” text and supplements as
a guide to the material to be covered. Experiments are drawn from this text as well as from many other sources
such as the internet and library. There is at least one major lab over each topic with one or two smaller labs
designed to aide in understanding.
During the course students are also required to put together a presentation utilizing both technology and the
research skills they have learned in their Language Arts courses. They also have a required reading, which is used
to cover science material from each area. This reading is used during class discussions to help foster the student’s
general science knowledge.
Listed below is a course outline with a brief description of each, each item that is bold, italicized, and larger font
are Kansas State Assessment items, that students will be required to have knowledge of.
o Course Outline:
First Semester
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Scientific Inquiry- Students perform various labs where they have to use the scientific method.
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Functions of Organelles-cells differentiate and specialize in structure and function through the
process of their growth and development. Students identify cells using
microscope, draw and label plant and animal cells
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Energy pathways-process of cellular respiration, autotrophs, photosynthesis and role of
oxygen.
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Cell Cycle and Mitosis-mitosis and meiosis phases and chromosomes.
Students will identify mitosis
stages by observing slides through a microscope.
RNA and DNA-inheritable characteristics are passed on to off spring, (characteristics carried in
DNA: the chemical and structural properties of DNA) explain the genetic information
that underlies heredity. Students take a strand of DNA and identify the amino acids.
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Genetics -sorting and recombination of genes in sexual reproduction, gene combinations from offspring
of any two parents. Students perform Punnett Square and various Genetic crosses.
o Natural Selection and variation-Natural selection, genetic drift, genomes, and the
mechanisms of genetic change provide a context in which to ask research questions and help explain
observed changes in populations. Variation of organisms within and among species increases the likelihood
that some members will survive under changing environmental conditions.
o Taxonomy- classify organisms according to phylogenetic relationships and binomial nomenclature
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Second Semester
o Ecology and Earth Cycle- study of the interrelationships and interdependencies that generate
stable and complex ecosystems, and discuss how humans are disrupting the stability of these ecosystems.
o Biodiversity- listed below
o Viruses (Biodiversity) - study of the specialized structures that enable viruses to infect organisms,
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discuss what diseases viruses cause, discuss prevention, and any possible cures.
Bacteria (Biodiversity) - general characteristics of bacteria, environments found, uses of, and
prevention of.
Protists(Biodiversity )- study of the characteristics used to classify protists, discussed how protists
affect other organisms, and Major uses of protists
Fungus (Biodiversity - study of the characteristics used to classify fungus, discuss how a fungus
benefits other organisms, and discuss how fungus can harm other organisms.
Vertebrates (Biodiversity) - general characteristics of vertebrates and study of structure and
function of various vertebrate organ systems.
 Student Research & Presentations: Students research various aspects of Biology, ecosystems,
viruses, bacteria, plants, and animals.
 Major Experimental Work: Dissection of the pig. Bacteria Growth lab, and plant dissection.
Scientific Method Labs (Various), elodea lab, virus lab, Genetic crosses
lab, and microscope lab.