Unit 1 – Science and Methodology - Objectives
1. Identify and state what science is and what the goals of science are.
2. Identify and evaluate ways of ‘knowing’.
3. Define the term hypothesis and null hypothesis.
4. Distinguish between observations and “looking at something.”
5. Develop questions from observations that transition into a testable hypothesis.
6. Construct a testable hypothesis and design and suitable test for the hypothesis using a null
hypothesis.
7. Evaluate whether data collected/analyzed support or do not support the hypothesis.
8. Explain why nothing is “proven” in science.
9. Differentiate between hypothesis and prediction.
10. Evaluate the design of an investigation to identify possible sources of error (e.g. sample size,
trials, controls, analyses).
11. Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative data.
12. Use descriptive statistics to analyze data (mean, frequency, range)
13. Interpret data that show a variety of possible relationships between variables (e.g. positive and
negative relationships, no relationship).
14. Choose an appropriate method for communicating results of an investigation.
15. Produce graphs that clearly communicate data (results and conclusions).
16. Support your conclusions with logical scientific arguments (think “If this is true… then “X” must
also be true).
17. Distinguish between a hypothesis, a (scientific) theory and a (scientific) law.
18. Analyze the roll of skepticism, open-mindedness and creativity in science.
Unit 2 – Chemistry and Matter 2.1, Water, Carbon, Carbohydrates –
1. Identify and state what three particles make up atoms.
2. Identify the types of charges associated with subatomic particles and describe how these particles
interact based on charges.
3. Differentiate between an element and an isotope.
4. Distinguish between a compound, a molecule and an element.
5. Identify and describe the three “types” of chemical bonds.
6. Explain why atoms from bonds.
7. Explain how van der Waals forces aren’t bonds.
8. Define what a valence electron is and discuss why this is important in forming bonds.
9. Describe and explain the trend in the number of bonds an element will make and the group it’s in
on the periodic table.
10. Define what is meant by electronegativity.
11. Explain the trend in electronegativity on the periodic table
12. Describe the role of electronegativity in forming bonds.
13. Identify the two most common electronegative elements in living organisms.
14. Identify partial charges on molecules.
15. Explain why water is a polar molecule while carbon dioxide is not.
16. Discuss three ways life on earth is dependent upon the properties of water.
17. Distinguish between cohesion and adhesion.
18. Define what an organic molecule is.
19. Differentiate between monomers and polymers in molecules
20. Identify the properties of and distinguish monosaccharides, polysaccharides, lipids and other
organic compounds
Unit 3 –Monomers, Polymers, Molecules and Molecular Interactions
1. Define and identify what a mixture is and provide examples of a mixture.
2. Distinguish between a solution, suspension, solute and solvent
3. Define what is meant by an acid and a base.
4. Distinguish between acids and bases on a pH scale.
5. Discuss what pH (and pOH) measures and explain how the scale works.
6. Explain how acids and bases dissociate and describe why pure water has a pH of 7.
7. Discuss and evaluate the roles of different substances in changing the pH of a solution.
8. Discuss how buffers regulate pH and their importance in the body.
9. Summarize why water is polar and explain properties of water based on polarity.
10. Identify the four macromolecules in living organisms and explain their roles in living organisms.
11. Describe/identify the partial charges on the four macromolecules.
12. Identify the monomers that make up three of the body’s main macromolecules and
describe/identify the partial charges on those molecules.
13. Evaluate/predict how these monomers and polymers will behave in water.
14. Distinguish between monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.
15. Distinguish between structural proteins, enzymes and regulatory proteins.
16. Explain the role of enzymes in bodily chemical reactions (activation energy) and discuss
enzymes’ environmental sensitivities
17. Differentiate between simple alcohols and identify the partial charges on them.
Unit 4 – Cells and Cell Structures - Objectives
1. Define and discuss the cell theory (three parts).
2. Explain how a theory is developed in science and discuss why it’s ‘just a theory’.
3. Discuss why cells are the basic unit of life.
4. DISTINGUISH between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
5. Identify Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes on a phylogenetic tree.
6. Identify and discuss the role of: cytoplasm, nucleus, vacuoles, vesicles, lysosomes,
microfilaments, microtubules, ribosomes, ER (rough and smooth), Golgi apparatus, chloroplasts,
mitochondria, cell walls, cell membranes.
7. Explain the role of the pores in the nuclear membrane.
8. Differentiate between vacuoles and vesicles.
9. Identify and discuss what the cytoskeleton is mostly composed of.
10. Describe and summarize how proteins are assembled and “shuttled”
11. Discuss the inheritance of chloroplasts and mitochondria.
12. Describe the “endosymbiont theory”.
13. Formulate three predictions about chloroplasts and mitochondria if the endosymbiont theory is
true.
14. Identify the components of the lipid bilayer and explain the role of those components in limiting
how/what substances can cross a membrane. Include hydrophobic and hydrophilic in your
explanation.
15. Compare and contrast cell walls in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
16. Explain why the lipid bilayer could not be reversed in structure.
17. Discuss the importance of the fluid mosaic in the structure and function of the lipid bilayer.
18. Diagram a plant cell and an animal cell as well as a cell membrane.
Unit 5 – Cells, Transport and Homeostasis - Objectives
1. Describe what is meant by diffusion.
2. Explain why molecules diffuse and discuss factors that influence the rate of diffusion.
3. Describe why “additional energy” is not required when molecules diffuse across a membrane.
4. Differentiate between diffusion and facilitated diffusion.
5. Define and describe the term passive transport.
6. Identify and discuss the role of aquaporins in allowing water through a membrane
7. Differentiate between diffusion and osmosis.
8. Describe how osmosis works.
9. Evaluate situations to determine water/solvent movement.
10. Describe osmotic potentials using the terms isotonic, hypertonic and hypotonic.
11. Discuss what is meant by osmotic pressure and describe what affects it can have on cells.
12. Define and describe the term active transport and differentiate that from passive transport.
13. Describe three methods of active transport.
14. Discuss situations in which active transport is needed.
15. Differentiate between pumps, channels, endocytosis and exocytosis.
16. Describe three ‘conditions’ in your body that are homeostatic and explain how homeostasis is
achieved.
17. Discuss the importance of cell specialization in multicellular organisms.
18. Describe and discuss the levels of organization in multicellular organisms and explain why
unicellular organisms don’t have these levels.
19. Analyze data/experimental results to draw conclusions.
Unit 6 – Cellular Respiration and Fermentation (Chapter 9)
By the end of this unit you should be able to:
1. Define and explain the terms calorie and cellular respiration
2. Explain where organisms get the energy needed.
3. Identify and discuss the source of energy in different foods and describe why some things have
‘usable’ calories while others don’t.
4. Identify and describe the equation for cellular respiration.
5. Describe the process of the Kreb’s (citric acid) Cycle and identify the key products and reactants
in the reaction.
6. Identify where this reaction takes place.
7. Discuss what is needed to ‘start’ the Kreb’s Cycle and sources of the ‘reactant.’
8. Describe the process of the electron transport chain and discuss how the process works.
9. Explain how energy is ‘produced’ during this process and identify the key ‘reactants’ and
products.
10. Identify where this reaction takes place.
11. Describe the process of glycolysis and identify the key products and reactants.
12. Identify where this reaction takes place.
13. Summarize the process of cellular respiration and evaluate the ‘efficiency’ of the entire process
14. Analyze data/experimental results to draw conclusions.
15. Describe how organisms can produce ATP in the absence of oxygen.
16. Differentiate between alcoholic fermentation and lactic acid fermentation, including products and
reactants.
17. Identify the type of fermentation that occurs in you, when it occurs and discuss the results of it.
18. Discuss how the products of fermentation and cell respiration are utilized by the body and
describe what happens to the by-products.