Course title: Biology
Course code: bio_va_177
Course Description:
Biology is an rigorous introductory level course which overviews of how life functions
on earth. This course begins with the smallest components of life, the biochemical
functions, and progresses through increasingly larger components: cell parts, cell
functions, genetics and inheritance, evolution, taxonomy, and ecology. This is a lab
course that includes labs and projects focused on critical thinking, creativity, and
understanding scientific process. Labs are rigorous yet designed to be done at home
with minimal specialized equipment.
Course Prerequisites: none
Major Topics:
Topics include the history of biology; the cell and cell processes; photosynthesis and
respiration; genetics and heredity; continuity of life; cycles in nature; ecology; plants,
animals, and microorganisms; and the interaction of science, technology, and society.
Materials:
Computer System Requirements
Lab Materials: Digital thermometer in Celsius units, test tubes OR small clear glass
containers such as jelly jars, Optional: microscope
Common household items: half gallon whole milk, vinegar, salt, cheesecloth, cooking
vessels and utensils, zip-seal bags, clear jars, coffee filters, beet, leaves, petals, red
fruit (ex. tomato), liquid detergent, 70-95% isopropanol (rubbing alcohol), enzymes
(meat tenderizer, contact lens cleaner, or pineapple juice), thin stir stick, paper,
scissors, cord, 1 ft2 non-porous, heavy object (cinderblock, big flat rock, ceramic tile,
etc.)
Grading Procedures:
Each lesson will be graded based upon skill mastery. Students will be asked to revise
work until it meets the objectives and the minimum requirements outlined by the grading
rubric on each lesson.
Lesson grades range from 5-10 based on the rubric in each lesson. Each lesson is
weighted equally.
Submission Policy:
Students are to complete course lessons in orders. Each day a student may post either
two new lessons, or 2 revisions, or a lesson and a revision in each course. Unless
permission to work on more than two lessons has been granted by the teacher, students
should only work on two lessons at a time. Once a lesson is graded, students may move
on to the next lesson
Communication:
Students may communicate with their teacher using the Teachermail. Teachers respond to
each student post usually withing 24 hrs (48hrs maximum). Teachers provide feedback to
students on each lesson submission. On the Student Desk, students will also find links to
to ask questions in Guidance, Technical Help, and Transcripts.
Lessons and Objectives:
Unit 1: Molecules
Lesson 1: Introduction
Student will:
- understand the definition of Biology.
- understand the characteristics of life.
- become familiar with the five animal kingdoms.
- understand what a "theory" is.
- understand the concept of reductionism.
Lesson 2: Atoms and Bonding
Student will:
- explore the relationship between chemistry and Biology
- understand what an element is
- demonstrate an understanding of the Periodic Table
- demonstrate an understanding of the make up of atoms and molecules
- understand "atomic mass"
- understand how and why atoms bond
Lesson 3: Water
Student will:
- explore the relationship between water and life.
- be able to describe some of the basic properties of water.
- understand the chemical structure of water.
- understand PH and how it relates to water.
- be able to describe the differences between a solution and a suspension.
- gain an understanding of why water is so important to life.
Lesson 4: Bio-Molecules
Student will:
- explore the relationship between carbon and life.
- understand why carbon is so valuable to life.
- understand the relationship between carbon and proteins, lipids,
carbohydrates,
DNA, and RNA.
Lesson 5: Enzymes
Student will :
- understand that organisms rearrange atoms to make chemicals that they need.
- understand what an enzyme is.
- understand how organisms use enzymes
- understand how absence of proper enzymes affect an organism.
- understand denaturation and renaturation.
- be exposed to the following concepts; Reactions, reactants, catalysts,
inhibiotors,
co-factors and substrates.
Lab 1: Curdled Milk
Students will:
-generate hypotheses based on experience as well as credible, accurate, and
relevant
sources of scientific information.
-conduct a scientific investigation to explore hydrophobic action.
-use scientific instruments to accurately record measurement data.
-follow appropriate safety procedures while using substances and home
laboratory
equipment.
-organize and interpret data from their investigation to formulate meaningful
conclusions about their hypotheses.
-design a controlled experiment to explore a further hypothesis about this
hydrophobic
reaction.
Project 1: Food Diary
Student will:
-learn to follow procedures exactly.
-learn to collect data.
-learn how to do research.
-become aware of what they eat.
-learn the nutritional value of what they eat.
-organize and interpret the data from a scientific investigation.
Unit 2 : The Cell
Lesson 6: Cell Theory
Student will:
- understand a cell is the basic unit of an organism
- understand how cells are formed
- be able to identify different types of cells
- understand parts of the cell; Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Ribosomes and DNA.
Lesson 7: Inside Cells
Student will:
- compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- continue to learn about cell structure.
- learn about the following parts of cells; Vacuoles and vesicals, endoplasmic
reticulum and golgi apparatus, and lysosomes.
- continue studying DNA.
Lesson 8: Cell Transport
Student will:
- learn about the types of transport within a cell
- learn about how substances flow into and out of a cell
a)Exocytosis, b)Endocytosis
- understand how the cell membrane functions
- understand why homeostasis is important.
Lesson 9: Photosynthesis
Student will:
- learn why cells need energy.
- understand the relationship of light to energy.
- understand how photosynthesis converts light into usable energy.
- learn about the different types of chlorophyll.
- understand the byproducts of photosynthesis (oxygen released in the
atmosphere).
Lesson 10: Cell Respiration
Student will:
- understand the difference between an autotroph and a heterotroph.
- understand why glucose is important to all life.
- understand the Krebs Cycle.
- increase his/her knowledge of electron transport.
- understand the process of fermentation.
- understand how anaerobic respiration occurs
Lab 2: Plant Pigments
Student will:
-learn to follow lab procedures exactly.
-learn to collect and analyze data.
-discover characteristics of pigments from plants.
-use appropriate safety procedures when conducting investigations.
-generate hypotheses based on credible, accurate, and relevant sources of
scientific information.
-use appropriate laboratory apparatuses, technology, and techniques safely and
accurately when conducting a scientific investigation.
-design a scientific investigation (including independent and dependent
variables)
with appropriate methods of control to test a follow up hypothesis.
-organize and interpret the data from a controlled scientific investigation by using
tables, graphs, models, and/or technology.
-evaluate the results of a controlled scientific investigation in terms of whether
they
refute or verify the hypothesis.
Project 2: Cell Size
Student will:
-access and interpret data compiled by other scientists.
-use technology to conduct a scientific investigation.
-organize and interpret data by using mathematics, graphs, models, and
technology.
-develop a hypothesis, then evaluate the data in terms of whether they refute or
verify the hypothesis.
-explore the relationship between DNA and cell nuclei.
Unit 3: Genetics
Lesson 11: DNA and RNA
Student will:
- increase understanding of DNA and RNA.
- understand how DNA replicates
- understand the relationship between DNA and RNA.
Lesson 12: Cell Cycle
Student will:
- understand that cells have a life cycle
- learn the phases of cellular reproduction
- understand the process of mitosis
Lesson 13: Meiosis
Student will:
-understand the 4 phases of meiosis 1
-understand the 4 phases of meiosis 2
Lesson 14: Basic Genetics
Student will:
- understand what a gene is.
- understand the relationship of DNA to genes.
- learn about Punnett Squares.
Lesson 15: DNA Technology
Student will:
- learn about mapping DNA.
- learn about karyotypes
- understand how genetic traits can be traced through pedigree
- understand basic concept of DNA fingerprinting
- learn about genetic engineering.
Lab 3: Extracting DNA
Student will:
-learn basic lab procedures.
-learn to follow procedures exactly.
-use appropriate laboratory apparatuses, technology, and techniques safely and
accurately when conducting a scientific investigation.-use appropriate safety
procedures in the use of household chemicals.
-gain a greater understanding of cells.
-see their own DNA.
-design a scientific investigation with appropriate methods of control to test a
follow-up hypothesis.
Project 3: Heredity
Students will:
-learn to collect, organize, and interpret data.
-form hypotheses and test their hypotheses through empirical research.
-learn to chart inherited traits within a family.
-gain a greater understanding of how Punnett squares help in predicting
dominant/recessive trait inheritance.
-understand how probability plays out in reality.
Unit 4: Evolution
Lesson 16: Concepts of Evolution
Student will:
- learn how organisms come from a common ancestor
- understand the relationship of organisms to each other
- understand how organisms change
- understand what a theory is.
Lesson 17: Morphology
Student will:
- learn about Charles Darwin
- introduced to the concept of creationism in Darwin's time
- learn about Darwin's methodology
- learn how Darwin used comparative anatomy
- understand theory
Lesson 18: Taxonomy
Student will:
- learn why organisms are classified
- learn about different types of organisms
- learn the hierarchy of classifications
- learn how we name an organism by two classifications
Lesson 19: Fossil and Time
Student will:
- gain an understanding of geological time
- learn about different geological eras
- learn about sedimentary rock
- learn how fossils are formed and preserved
- learn about fossil succession.
Lesson 20: Human Evolution
Student will:
- learn about social conflict in accepting evolution.
- learn about the relationship of our species to evolution- learn about the
relationship of fossils to the theory of evolution
- learn about the evolution of humans.
Lab 4: Natural Selection Simulation
Students will:
-conduct a simulation of natural selection to observe what changes occur in a
population in response to environmental pressures.
-form a hypothesis based on accurate scientific information and test the
hypothesis
using a model, then evaluate the results of the test in terms of whether they
refute
or support their hypothesis.
-collect, organize, and interpret data using mathematics, graphs, models, and/or
technology.
Project 4: Viruses
Student will
-learn how to do research.
-learn about viruses.
Unit 5: Humans and the Environment
Lesson 21: Ecology
Student will:
- understand what an ecosystem is
- become familiar with the term "community"
- learn about Biomes
- learn about population changes.
Lesson 22: Biogeochemical Cycles
Student will:
- learn about the physical environment of the Earth
- learn about various cycles, both biological an physical
- understand how organisms relate to chemical and physical cycles
Lesson 23: Artificial Selection
Student will:
-learn how humans interact with the environment in a unique way.
-learn how artificial selection and genetic engineering are used in agriculture.
-consider the impact of artificial selection on ecology.
Lesson 24: Global Disruption
Student will learn how humans impact the physical environment.
Lesson 25: Sustainability
Student will:
- learn about population growth
- learn about sustainable resources
- learn about the impact of humans on sustainable resources
Lab 5: Ecosystem Disruption
Student will:
-learn basic lab procedures.
-learn to follow procedures exactly.
-learn to collect data.
-learn to analyze data.-learn to compare test group data to control group data.
-learn how to conduct a rudimentary biodiversity survey.
-learn about human effect on an environment.
Project 5: Green Roof Design
Student will:
-research green roof design.
-design a marketable green roof plan that takes into account native habitat, cost,
structural effectiveness (weight, water shedding, insulation, etc.), installment and
maintenance requirements, and other aspects of technical design.
-compare the process of scientific investigation and technological design.
Link to correlation to Virginia SOLs:
http://www.compuhigh.com/multidivision/CompuHigh_Correlation_StandardsReport_Biology_
Virginia_Jan-08-2013.xlsx