Honors Biology
Mrs. Tunick
2012-2013
Course Overview: Honors Biology is a fast paced, comprehensive course that covers
a multitude of areas in the biological sciences. Students are continually challenged to
learn a vast scientific vocabulary and a myriad of complex biological processes. The first
semester concentrates primarily on molecular cell biology and on an expansive coverage
of genetics. The second semester is a comprehensive study of the classification and
examination of all living things from the smallest bacteria and protist to fungi, plants,
animals and finally to the human organ systems and their associated chemical processes.
Lab activities are introduced at appropriate times to complement text information and to
give students hands-on experience which broadens and enhances concepts and topics
under study. Successful completion of this course is based on a high level of critical
thinking and application of knowledge learned rather than rote memory. It requires
dedicated reading on a nightly basis in addition to any assigned written homework.
All students are expected to follow safety procedures during the labs. There are two
assigned projects.
Text: Biology, Miller and Levine (Prentice Hall, 2006) (2004)
Grading Policies: Grades are calculated on a point system. Your grade will be
calculated from homework, tests, quizzes, labs and projects. Homework is worth 5-20
points depending on length. You will be able to track your grade by dividing the number
of points received by the number of available points. You will maintain a grade sheet in
the front of your book. This will help keep track of assignments, due dates, points
received, and points available. The grade portal is also available.
Final Grade is calculated as follows:
40% quarter 1+ 40% Quarter 2+ 20%Semester 1 Exam=Semester 1 grade
40% quarter 2+ 40% Quarter 4+ 20%Semester 2 Exam=Semester 2 grade
50% Semester 1 grade + 50% Semester 2 grade =Final Grade
ABSENCES: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up any missed work.
Please see me to get any notes or handouts that you missed during your absence. Labs
will need to be made up on your time before or after school.
If you miss class due to early dismissal for a sporting event or other school activity
and you are in school that day, the assignment is due that day as expected! Please
see me in room 307 sometime before you leave the building. I do not count the
absence as an excused absence. You do not receive an additional day.
Test/Homework Make- Up Policy: : For each day student is absent, he or she has
one day to make up assignments .For tests and quizzes, students who miss one day have
one day to make up a test or quiz. Students who miss two or more days have one full
testing cycle to make up quizzes and tests. Students should discuss any conflicts with
Mrs. Tunick immediately upon return.
EXTRA CREDIT: Students may earn up to 10 extra credit points per quarter for
presenting 10 science in the news items. These may come from the newspaper, the web,
magazines, etc. Student must pre read the article, prepare notes and give a summary to
the class. Student may be asked questions by peers or instructor. Only one article per day/
per student is allowed with a maximum of 10 per quarter. The points will be added to the
total points received at the end of the quarter.
Class Policies: Students must arrive on time and prepared for class. Students will not
be allowed to go back to their locker once class has started. Please use the restroom
before class. Behavior and dress code expectations are listed in the Student Handbook
and are expected to be followed. Strict adherence to the Honor Code is expected. Failure
to follow testing procedures will result in an automatic zero. NO LATE WORK
ACCEPTED!!!!
Materials: Textbook
3 ring binder
Paper
Colored pencils
Pen/pencil/highlighter
HOMEWORK: Homework will be posted on my webpage. Go to the BI homepage
and click on academics, faculty, and then Tunick.
Contact Information: email: tunickr@bishopireton.org
Phone: 703-212-5140 ext. 8123
Office: rm. 307
Teacher Availability: I am available for help M-F 7:15- 8:00am
and M, T, W, R at 3:15. Please let me know if you will be coming in as situations may
arise making me unavailable.
Course Outline
First Quarter
Unit I Living Things-Laboratory methods and Characteristics
Pages 2-33
Scientific Method
Lab Safety
Characteristics of living things
Unit II Living Things: Chemistry
Pages 34-59
Atoms and their interaction
Elements
Structure of atoms
Chemical bonds
Acids and bases (pH lab)
Water (Water drops on a Penny lab)
Life substances- lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids
Unit III Living Things: Cells
Pages 25-26,168-199
Cell theory
Light microscope (Microscope lab)
Cell structure
Plasma membrane- phospholipids layer
Organelles- nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, vacuole, lysosome,
chloroplast, mitochondria, centriole, cytoskeleton, cilia, and flagella
Diffusion (Diffusion in a baggie lab)
Osmosis/Transport
Levels of organization
Unit IV Living Things: Cellular Energetics
Pages 200-232
Energy- ATP  ADP
Photosynthesis- light dependent reaction (chromatography lab)
Light independent Calvin cycle
Cellular respiration- glycolysis, citric acid cycle, electron transport chain
Anaerobic vs. Aerobic
Fermentation
Unit V Life Processes: Cell Replication and Growth
Pages 240-259
Cell growth
Size limitations
Chromosomes
Phases of mitosis- interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
(Mitosis microscope lab- onion root)
Control of cell cycle
Cancer
Second Quarter
Unit VI- Genetics: Heredity
Pages 260-285
Mendel
Genes and dominance
Hybrid crosses
Punnet squares
Law of segregation
Law of independent assortment
Incomplete dominance, Codominance, Multiple Alleles, Polygenic Inheritance
Diploid and haploid cells
Stages of meiosis (what happens to the chromosomes and how we get variation)
Crossing over
Trait Lab
Unit VII Life Processes: Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
Pages 286-308
Discovery of DNA
DNA structure (Strawberry DNA extraction and Groovy beads Lab)
Replication
Protein synthesis; transcription, translation
mRNA, rRNA. tRNA
Mutations
Unit VIII Genetics: Human Genome
Pages 340-354
Karyotype
Pedigree chart
Sex Linkage
Sex Determination
Blood Groups
Genetically Inherited Diseases
Unit IX Genetics: Engineering
Pages 309-339, 355-358
Selective Breeding
DNA Technology
Transformation
Transgenics
DNA Fingerprinting
 Semester 1 Project: Genetic Disease Pamphlet
Third Quarter
Unit X Evolution: Natural Selection
Pages 368-415
Charles Darwin
Hutton, Lyell, Lamarck, Malthus
Natural selection Adaptations
Fossil evidence
Analogous structures
Homologous structures
Embryology
Biochemistry
Population genetics (Allelic frequency Lab)
Speciation
Unit XI Evolution: Taxonomy
Pages 446-467
Binomial nomenclature
Carolus Linnaeus
Taxonomy
Kings play chess on fine green sand (KPCOFGS)
The six kingdoms
Unit XII Diversity: Prokaryotes and Viruses
Pages 470-495
Viruses
Lytic and lysogenic cycle
Retrovirus, Viroid, Prions
Archaebacteria
Eubacteria
Bacteria structure, reproduction, adaptations
Bacteria in the environment
Diseases
Unit XIII Diversity: Protist and Fungi
Pages 496-547
Evolution of Protist
Protozoans- amoeba, paramecium, euglena, sporozoans, malaria
Algae
Slime molds
(Protist microscope lab)
Fungi Structure- hyphae
Reproduction- budding, spores
Sac fungi
Club fungi
Sporangia
Imperfect fungi
Lichens
(Fungi observation lab)
Unit XIV Diversity: Plants
Pages 550-617, 632- 642
Non vascular plants: Bryophyte, Pterophyte
Vascular plants: Gymnosperm, Angiosperm
Spore formers
Seed formers- cones and flowers (flower dissection)
Plant tissue structure- leaf, roots, and stems (microscope lab)
Xylem and phloem
Flower structure
Plant Responses
Unit XV Diversity: Invertebrates
Pages 656-763
Animal characteristics
Development- blastula, gastrula
Coelome development
Bilateral and radial symmetry
Sponges
Cnidarians
Platyhelmenthese
Nematode
Annelid
Mollusk
Arthropod
Echinoderms
Invertebrate chordates
Unit XVI Diversity: Vertebrates
Pages 766-857
Fish: Structure, Systems, Jawless, Cartilage, Boney
Amphibians: Structure, Systems, Metamorphosis
Reptiles: Structure, Systems, Examples
Birds: Structure, Systems, Examples
Mammals: Characteristics, Systems, Placental, Marsupial, Monotreme
Frog Dissection
Fourth Quarter
Unit XVII Human Body: Systems
Pages 890-1047
Integumentary, Muscular, Skeletal
Epidermis
Dermis
Function of skin
Joints
Bone formation
Smooth muscle (Muscle lab)
Cardiac muscle
Skeletal muscle
Digestive System
Nutrition
Path of food
Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine,
Hormones
Digestive hormones
Nervous System
Neuron structure (Senses lab)
Impulse transmission
CNS
Somatic nervous system
Autonomic system
Senses
Respiratory System
Path of air
Mechanics of breathing (Respiration volume lab)
Gas Exchange
Bicarbonate buffer system
Blood components
Blood groups
Circulatory System
Heart
Blood flow
Lymphatic system
Blood components
Excretory System
Kidneys
Nephron structure
Homeostasis and the urinary system
Endocrine System
Glands and their respective hormones
Target cell
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid Gland
Adrenal gland
Gonads
Pancreas
Pituitary
Hypothalmus
Negative feedback
Reproduction and Development
Male anatomy
Female anatomy
Hormones
Production of sperm
Production of eggs
Menstruation
Fertilization
Birth, growth and aging
Immune System
Nature of disease
Pathogens
Koch’s postulate
Spread of disease
Treating disease
Innate immunity
Acquired immunity
Antibody mediated immunity
Cell mediated immunity
Unit XIII Ecology: Biosphere
Pages 60-165
Ecosystems
Ecological Succession
Biomes
Energy Cycles
Limiting Factors
Food webs and chains
 Second Semester Project: Human Disease Presentation