Pleasant Valley High Schooltitle

BIOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE 2014-2015

                                                                                              Approximate

UNIT                                                                                       # of Days              Chapter(s)

I.  NATURE and CHEMISTRY OF SCIENCE                                10                           1

            C.   Characteristics of Life

            Labs:  Airplane Lab, Pulse Lab, Density Lab

II.  BIOCHEMISTRY                                                                    9                               2,3

            A.  Matter and Its States                                                                       Test – Sept. 12^th

            B.   Atoms, Molecules, Periodic Table

            C.  Organic & Inorganic Molecules

            D.   Introduction to

                     - Water and Solubility                                                                                             

                     -  Acids and Bases                                                                      

                     -  Carbohydrates, Proteins (enzymes), Lipids, and Nucleic Acids

            Labs:  Molecule Building Lab, Unknown Organic Compounds, Acids and Bases Lab,

                       Enzyme Catalysis of Hydrogen Peroxide

III.  THE CELL                                                                             14                             4, 5

            A.  Cell Function, History, and Cell Theory                                             Test – Oct. 2^nd  

            B.  Parts of a Cell

C.  The Membrane

            D.  Passive and Active Transport

            Labs:  Microscope and Microviewers of Plant and Animal Cells, Osmosis Lab

IV.  ENERGY FOR LIFE                                 15                             6, 7

            A.  Photosynthesis (plants making sugar)                                              Test – Oct.23^rd      

            B.  Cell Respiration (using sugar to make energy)

            Labs:  Microviewer Leaf Lab, Spinach Lab, Respiration Lab, Carbohydrate Lab

            Activities:  Shredded Wheat Demo(spit demo)

V.  PROTEIN SYNTHESIS & CELL REPRODUCTION                  15                      10, 8.1-8.2

            A.  DNA & DNA Replication                                                                   Test – Nov. 14^th              

            B.  RNA & Protein Synthesis

            C.  Chromosome Structure & Cellular Reproduction

            Labs:  Microviewer, DNA Extraction, DNA Typing

            Activity:  Cell DNA and Protein Synthesis (library), Protein Synthesis Simulation, Memory Game

VI.  GENETICS AND HEREDITY                                                 18                 8.3, 9, 12, 13.3

            A.  Meiosis                                                                                           Test – Dec. 11^th  

            B.  Heredity

            C.  Punnett Squares / Probability / Pedigree Charts

            D.  Human Genetic Disorders / Genetic Engineering

            Labs:  Baby Face Lab, Sex-Linked Traits Lab

            Activities:  Karyotyping, Inventory of My Traits, Genetic Disease Research Project

Test dates are approximate.  Some revisions may occur.

Semester Comprehensive FINAL (over everything since school began)             2 review days

UNIT                                                                          Approximate # of Days     Chapter(s)

VII.  TAXONOMY

            A.  Classification Criteria                                                  7                            17                      

            B.  6 Kingdom System                                                                          *Test – Jan. 13^th  

            C.  The Domains, 7 Taxons and Binomial Names

            *Test may include genetic engineering                            

            Activities:  Shark and Salamander, Fish Activity, Dichotomous Key, Presentation of a Taxon

VIII.  EVOLUTION                                                                       16                 14, 15, 16, 43.4

            A. Historical Background (Abiogenesis to Today)                                   Test – Feb. 3^rd     

            B. Natural Selection

            C. Evidence

            Labs: Natural Selection of Bird Beaks, Half-Life Simulation, Patterns of Variations Lab

            Activities:  Time-Line, Fossil Activity

IX.  ECOLOGY (The Study of Homes)

            Part 1                                                                              13                 18 & 21

            A.   The Biosphere, Biomes & Ecosystems                                            Test – Feb. 24^th            

            B.   The Flow of Energy & Cycles

            Labs:  Roly Poly Lab

            Activities: Water Simulation of Energy Pyramids, Biome Presentations

X.  ECOLOGY (Relationships and Population Dynamics)

            Part 2                                                                              13                 19, 20, 22

            A.   Symbiosis – Types of relationships                                                 Test – Mar. 13^th

            B.   Interactions                                                              

            C.   Successions/Rhythms/Changes

            D    Population Dynamics

            E.   Current Ecological Problems

            Labs:  Predator-Prey, Who Polluted the Lake Lab, Populations Pyramid

            Activities:  Graphing Ecological Data, Human Population Dynamics,

                  Research Presentation – How Can We Reduce Human Impact on Biodiversity?

XI.  THE IMMUNE SYSTEM                                                         19                       23, 24, 47

            A.  Non-Specific Immune Defense                                                         Test – April 17^th

            B.  The Specific Immune Response

            C.  Immune Failure [Including AIDS]

            D.  Bacteria & Viruses – Cycles and Reproduction

            Labs:  Virus Microviewer Lab, Bacteria Microviewer Lab, Bacteria Microscope Lab

            Activities:  Immune System Simulation

XII.  Nervous System I                                                                9                        49, 50.2

1. Homeostasis & Positive & Negative Feedback                                
2. Neurons Structure  and Nerve Impulse
3. Structure of the Nervous System

            Labs:  Nervous System Microviewer and Brain Dissection

XIII.  Nervous System II                                                              9                        49, 50.2

1. Sensory and the Nervous System                                                    *Test – May 16th  
2. Drugs and the Nervous System

            *Test is on Nervous System I and II                                

            Labs:  Sensory (Pin) Lab, Blind Spot Lab, Taste Lab, Peripheral, Depth, and Color Vision Lab

            Activities:  Brain Teasers (Optical Illusions)

XIV.  Cardiovascular and Skeletal System                                 15                       46, 45

                                                                                                                        Test – May 27^th

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    Semester Comprehensive FINAL (everything in Second Semester)              2 review days