Department:
SCIENCE
Course Title:
BIOLOGY
Grade Level:
9-12
Length:
1 Year
Number of Credits:
10 credits
Prerequisite:
Passing Grade in Earth Science or,
Assessment Testing and Teacher/Counselor Recommendation
Course Description:
This course fulfills the Life Science graduation requirements as well as the University of
California a-g requirements as a Life Science Laboratory Course. This course will cover the biological
topics of ecology, cell biology, genetics, evolution, physiology, current research, and bioethics.
Students will work individually and in small groups. Laboratories and investigations will be
performed to supplement and enhance course topics.
Goals:
1. Students will achieve a practical knowledge of laboratory skills.
2. Students will be able to problem solve using the scientific method.
3. Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of the relationship between organisms and
their environment.
4. Students will understand the structure and function of living organisms at the cellular level.
5. Students will understand how genetic traits are inherited.
6. Students will understand how genetics influences the diversity in the evolution of organisms.
7. Students will acquire an understanding of structure and function of organ systems of the human
body.
Student Performance Objectives:
1. Ecology (1st Semester)
a. Students will compare the relationship between biodiversity and habitat. (6a)
b. Students will analyze changes within an ecosystem resulting from changes in climate,
human activity, introduction of nonnative species, or changes in population size. (6b)
c. Students will analyze examples of population dynamics. (6c)
d. Students will interpret a diagram of the various abiotic cycles and explain how they
affect the environment. (6d)
e. Students will describe how energy is dispersed within a food webs and energy pyramids.
(6f)
2. Cell Biology (1st Semester)
a. Students will compare and contrast the structures between prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic
cells, and viruses. (1c)
b. Students will describe the structure and function of cell parts, specifically: cell
membrane, nucleus, cell wall, ribosomes, mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic
reticulum, Golgi Apparatus, vacuoles. (1a, 1g, 1e, 1f, 1j)
c. Students will diagram and explain the processes of photosynthesis and cellular
respiration. (1f, 1g)
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3. Genetics (1st Semester)
a. Students will demonstrate the role of DNA and RNA in the processes of replication,
transcription, and translation. (1a, 4a, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b)
b. Students will describe the processes of genetic engineering and biotechnology, and
analyze the ethical implications. (5c, 5d)
4. Genetics (2nd Semester)
a. Students will discuss the role of meiosis, segregation and independent assortment of
chromosomes within gametes in sexual reproduction, which leads to genetic variation in
a population. (2a, 2b, 2c, 3b)
b. Students will apply how genotype influences phenotype and predict probable outcomes
in various modes of inheritance using Punnett Squares, and pedigree charts. (2g, 3a, 3c)
c. Students will explain that fertilization of gametes generates a zygote that develops into a
multicellular organism. (2d, 2e)
5. Evolution (2nd Semester)
a. Students will apply how natural selection affects the characteristics of an organism and
how mutations are maintained within a gene pool. (7a, 7b, 7c)
b. Students will describe how greater variation within a species may lead to greater
survival of that species. (7d, 8b)
c. Students will evaluate the effects of genetic drift and geographic isolation on a species.
(8c, 8d)
d. Students will identify that analysis of fossil, DNA, and anatomical evidence supports
evolution. (8e, 8f)
6. Physiology (2nd Semester)
a. Students will describe and explain the structures and functions of the reproductive organ
system. (9a, 9b, 9e)
b. Students will identify how pathogens such as HIV invade the body and how the immune
system uses various mechanisms to defend and protect the body. (10a, 10b, 10c, 10e)
c. Students will describe and explain the structures and functions of the digestive organ
system, including the function of macromolecules and their synthesis from simple
precursors. (1b. 1h. 4e. 4f, 9a, 9b, 9c)
d. Students will describe and explain the structures and functions of the nervous organ
system. (9a, 9b, 9e)
e. Students will describe and explain the structures and functions of the cardiovascular
organ system. (9a, 9b, 9e)
7. Investigation and Experimentation (throughout the school year)
a. Students will use the scientific method to analyze and interpret situations and solve
problems using knowledge developed from more than one area of science.
b. Students will use appropriate tools and technology to develop and perform experiments.
c. Students will recognize the cumulative nature of scientific evidence.
d. Students will investigate science-based societal issues.
e. Students will formulate explanations using logic and evidence.
Standards Assessed for STAR Test
Math
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Demonstrate an understanding of the laws governing chance.
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Identify and use functions presented in tabular and graphical form.
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Demonstrate the ability to apply strategies to solve a wide variety if problems.
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Use appropriate tools to collect data and identify with proper units of measurement.
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Demonstrate an understanding of the signs, symbols, and terms of mathematics, and correctly
interpret alternative representations of data.
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Language Arts
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Demonstrate the ability to construct meaning with material typically found in grade-appropriate
textbooks and other sources of information.
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Demonstrate the ability to construct meaning with material typically encountered in everyday
life situations.
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Demonstrate the ability to alphabetize, the guidewords, interpret dictionary entries, and identify
the correct use of general reference materials.
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Determine topic relevance and organize information.
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Demonstrate the ability to use the parts of a book to locate information, and demonstrate the
ability to organize information.
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Demonstrate the ability to form an interpretation of a variety or reading selections based on
explicit and implicit information in the selections.
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Demonstrate the ability to comprehend explicitly stated relationships in a variety of reading
selections.
Standards Assessed for CAHSEE
Math
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Represent all possible outcomes for compound events in an organized way and express the
theoretical probability of each outcome.
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Construct and read models to scale.
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Demonstrate the ability to create, and quantitatively interpret the meaning of a specific part of a
graph in the situation represented by the graph
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Using dimensional analysis students will be able to compare weights, volume, and temperature
within and between systems.
Language Arts
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Use clear research questions and suitable research methods to elicit and present evidence from
primary and secondary sources.
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Develop the main ideas within the body of the composition through supporting evidence.
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Include visual aids by employing appropriate technology to organize and record information on
charts, maps, and graphs.
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Relate a sequence of events and communicate the significance of events.
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Integrate quotations and citations into a written text while maintaining the flow of ideas.
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Synthesize information from multiple sources and identify complexities and discrepancies in
the information and the different perspectives found in each medium.
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Prepare a bibliography of reference materials for a report using a variety of consumer,
workplace, and public documents.
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Suggested Teaching Strategies:
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Whole group instructions and
strategies.
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Cooperative groups.
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Individualized instructions.
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Peer teaching.
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Independent practice.
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Audio-visual aided instruction.
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Individual and or group projects.
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Field trips.
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Interactive media.
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Computer assisted learning.
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Internet activities.
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Laboratory activities.
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Demonstrations.
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Evaluation Techniques:
Teacher developed tests and quizzes.
Laboratory write-ups.
Homework.
Directed study.
Class participation.
SAT9 testing.
Independent research and/or
experimental projects
Textbook
Biology, Glencoe Science/McGraw Hill (The Zebra Book), 2007
Supplementary Materials:
Supplemental Materials provided by the publisher including study guide and lab manual.
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9-12 Biology Key Vocabulary
Ecology
Cell Biology
 Biodiversity
 Habitat
 Biome(s)
 Population
 Gene pool
 Niche
 Community
 Mutualism
 Symbiosis
 Ecosystem
 Commensalism
 Predation
 Parasitism
 Environment
 Estuary
 Savanna
 Plankton
 Biogeochemical cycle(s) (abiotic cycle)
 Exponential growth
 Limiting factors
 Carrying capacity
 Abiotic
 Biotic
 Immigration
 Emigration
 Biomagnification
 transpiration
 Trophic level
 Food web
 Food chain
 Energy pyramid
 Producer
 Consumer
 Decomposer
 Herbivore
 Omnivore
 Carnivore
 Autotroph
 Heterotroph
 Organism
 Species
 Climate
 Population dynamics
 Organelles (cell membrane, nucleus, cell wall,
ribosomes, mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic
reticulum, Golgi apparatus, vacuoles)
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Genetics
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DNA,RNA (tRNA, mRNA, rRNA)
Prokaryote
Eukaryote
Enzyme
Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
ATP
Chlorophyll
Macromolecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids,
carbohydrates)
Peptide, polypeptide, fatty acids
Catalyst
Virus
Glucose
Fermentation
Active transport
Passive transport (osmosis and diffusion)
Homozygous
Heterozygous
Dominate
Recessive
Allele
Genotype
Phenotype
Punnett square
Genetic engineering
Biotechnology
Replication
Transcription
Translation
Pedigree
Meiosis
Mitosis
Sexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction
Plasmid
Gene
Hybrid
Zygote
Gamete
Mutation(s)
Chromosome
Somatic cell
Sex-linked
Fertilization
Incomplete dominance
Autosomal
Inheritance
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Evolution
Physiology
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Co-dominance
Diploid
Haploid
Probability
Codon
Anticodon
Recombinant
Clone
Genome
Segregation
Independent assortment
Genetic variation
DNA
RNA
Genetic code
Amino acid
Base pairing
Protein
Complement
Template
Ethical implication
Gene pool
Variation
Adaptation
Evolution
Fossil
Natural selection
Genetic drift
Geographical isolation
Speciation
Reproductive isolation
Gradualism
Mass extinction
Mutation
Species
Anatomical evidence
Homologous structures
Analogous structures
Hormones
Components of blood (erythrocyte, leukocytes, platelets,
thrombocytes)
Structure of neuron
Types of neurons (sensory, interneurons, motor neurons)
Brain parts (medulla, cerebellum, etc)
Homeostasis
Antibodies / antibiotics
Immunity (passive and active)
Antigen
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Investigation and
Experimentation
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Synapsis
Receptor (photo, chemo etc
Vaccine
Cancer
HIV
Endocrine
Feedback systems
Interaction
Infection
Bacteria
Virus
Structure
Function
Process
Analyze
Variable
Interpret
Infer
Compare/contrast
Investigate
Formulate
Evidence
Data
Hypothesis
Microscope parts
Theory
Law
Dependent variable
Independent variable
Control of experiment
Placebo
Experimental error
Observation
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