H- Biology
Unit 1 – Life Traits and Cells
Objectives and Vocabulary
Name __________________________________
Date ______________ Period 1 2 3 7 8
Unit 1 – Introduction - Life Traits and Cells
Enduring Understandings:
 All living things are made up of cells, which is the smallest unit that can be said to be alive. An organism
may consist of one single cell (unicellular) or many different numbers and types of cells (multicellular).
 Within cells, special structures are responsible for particular functions, and the cell membrane forms the
boundary that controls what enters and leaves the cell.
 Unicellular organisms like multicellular organisms, need food, water, a way to dispose of waste, and an
environment in which they can live.
Essential Questions:
 How do I apply scientific methods to answer my questions?
 What are the characteristics of life?
 What are cells made of?
 What technology is used to visualize cells?
Part 1 – Life Traits (Sections 1-1):
Students will be able to…
1. Know the difference between an observation and an inference.
2. List and provide an example for the characteristics of life (RREACH ‘N GO).
3. Determine and support if something is living or nonliving using the characteristics of life.
Important Vocabulary:
Adaptation
Biology
Cells
Data
Development
Energy
Growth
Homeostasis
Inference
Metabolism
Nucleic Acids
Observation
Organization
Reproduction
Response
Stimulus
Part 2 – Cell Structure/Function (sections 4.2-4.4):
Students will be able to . . .
1. Compare and contrast prokaryotic cells with eukaryotic cells.
2. Discuss the structure and function of the major cell parts visible with a compound microscope
Including; cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, DNA, cytoplasm, chloroplast, mitochondria, and
vacuole (plant vs. animal).
3. Recognize and describe the differences between plant and animal cells.
4. Understand the function of the parts of a compound microscope. (eyepiece, objective lenses,
stage, stage clips, diaphragm, fine and coarse focus)
5. Make wet mount slides of specimens.
6. Use a compound microscope to view cells and identify key organelles found in specimens.
7. Calculate the total magnification of a specimen at low and high power.
8. Recognize the need to use different types of microscopes for identification of cell parts.
Continued 
Important Vocabulary:
Atom
Cell
Cell Membrane
Cell Wall
Chloroplast
Cytoplasm
DNA
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Eukaryote
Golgi apparatus
Lysosome
Mitochondria
Molecule
Nucleus
Organelle
Prokaryote
Ribosome
Vacuole
Note - First unit test after Labor Day Holiday to include performance assessment with microscope