Course Information
Semester I
Unit #1: The Chemistry of Cells (Molecules & Cells)
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Chapter 1: Introduction: The Scientific Study if Life - (Week of August 30th)
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Chapter 2: The Chemical Basis of Life - (Week of September 6th)
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Chapter 3: The Molecules of Cells - (Week of September 6th - September 13th)
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Lab: Animal Behavior (AP Lab 11)
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Lab: Molecules of Life Kit: Carbohydrates
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Lab: Molecules of Life Kit: Lipids
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Lab: Mc Slurry Lab: Unknown Biomolecule I.D.
Unit #2: The Life of a Cell (Molecules & Cells)
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Chapter 4: A Tour of the Cell - (Week of September 20th)
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Chapter 5: The Working Cell - (Week of September 20th - September 27th)
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Lab: Diffusion and Osmosis (AP Lab 1)
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Lab: Compound Microscope: Plant/Animal cell I.D.
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Lab: Hydrogen Peroxide Enzyme Catalysis (Alternative for AP Lab 2, from AP Workshop)
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Lab: Toothpickase (from Flynn Scientific)
Unit #3: Cellular Respiration & Photosynthesis (Molecules & Cells)
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Chapter 6: How Cells Harvest Chemical Energy - (Week of October 4th)
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Chapter 7: Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food - (Week of October 11th)
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Lab: Cell respiration (AP Lab 5)
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Lab: Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis (AP Lab 4)
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Lab: Respiration Process Manipulation (dry lab)
Unit #4: Cellular Reproduction & Inheritance (Molecules & Cells / Heredity & Evolution)
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Chapter 8: Cellular Basis of Reproduction & Inheritance - (Week of October 18th)
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Chapter 9: Patterns of Inheritance - (Week of October 25th)
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Lab: Mitosis and Meiosis (AP Lab 3)
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Lab: Online Onion Lab http://www.biology.arizona.edu
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Lab: Microscope Lab – Stages of Mitosis/Meiosis I.D.
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Lab: Mitosis/Meiosis Simulation
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Lab: Genetics of Organisms (Lab 7 online fruitfly alternative)
Unit #5: Molecular Biology, Gene Control & DNA Technology (Heredity & Evolution)
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Chapter 10: Molecular Biology of the Gene - (Week of November 1st) -- (1st Quarter Ends 11/2)
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Chapter 11: The Control of Gene Expression - (Week of November 8th)
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Chapter 12: DNA Technology & the Human Genome - (Week of November 15th)
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Lab: Molecular Biology (AP Lab 6)
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Lab: Protein Synthesis Sentences (teacher generated)
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Lab: DNA Scissors
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Lab: DNA Goes to the Races (dry lab)
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Lab: Make a Baby Lab (dry lab)
Unit #11: Concepts of Evolution (Organisms & Populations)
Thanksgiving Furlough Break (Read/Outline Chapters 34-38) - (Week of November 25th)
Unit #6: Concepts of Evolution (Heredity & Evolution)
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Chapter 13: How Populations Evolve - (Week of November 29th)
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Chapter 14: The Origin of Species - (Week of December 5th)
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Chapter 15: Tracing Evolutionary History - (Week of December 12th)
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Lab: Population Genetics and Evolution (AP Lab 8)
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Lab: Natural Selection Simulation
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Lab: History of Life Time Line Activity
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Lab: Peppered Moth Online Simulation
Unit #11: Concepts of Evolution (Organisms & Populations)
Winter Break (Read/Outline Chapters 34-38) - (Week of November 25th )
Unit #7: The Evolution of Biological Diversity (Heredity & Evolution)
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Chapter 16: Prokaryotes and Protists - (Week of January 3rd)
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Chapter 17: Plants, Fungi, and the Colonization of Land - (Week of January 3rd - January 10th)
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Chapter 18: Tracing Evolutionary History - (Week of January 10th - January 17th)
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Chapter 19: Human Evolution - (Week of January 17th)
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Lab: Monera/Protista I.D.Walk-around
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Lab: Plant/ Fungi Walk-around
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Lab: Animal Classification Walk-around
Finals Week - Midterm Exams - (Week of January 24th) -- (2nd Quarter Ends 1/28)
Semester II
Unit #8: Animals: Form & Function (Part I) (Organisms & Populations)
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Chapter 20: Concepts of Animal Structure & Function - (Week of January 31st)
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Chapter 21: Nutrition & Digestion - (Week of January 31st)
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Chapter 22: Respiration: The Exchange of Gases - (Week of February 7th)
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Chapter 23: Circulation - (Week of February 7th)
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Lab: Meat/carbohydrate Digestion (teacher-generated)
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Lab: Effects of Activity on Respiratory Rate (teacher-generated)
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Lab: Physiology of the Circulatory System (AP Lab 10)
Unit #9: Animals: Form & Function (Part II) (Organisms & Populations)
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Chapter 24: The Immune System - (Week of February 14th)
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Chapter 25: Control of the Internal Environment - (Week of February 14th - February 21st)
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Chapter 26: Chemical Regulation - (Week of February 21st)
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Lab: Humoral vs. Cell-mediated Immunity Simulation (teacher-generated)
Unit #10: Animals: Form & Function (Part III) (Organisms & Populations)
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Chapter 27: Reproduction & Embryonic Development - (Week of February 28th - Week of March 6th)
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Chapter 28: Nervous System - (Week of March 6th - Week of March 13th)
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Chapter 29: The Senses - (Week of March 13th - Week of March 20th)
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Chapter 30: How Animals Move - (Week of March 20th)
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Lab: Reaction Rate, Sensitivity, Optical Illusions (teacher-generated)
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Lab: Brain-mapping (dry lab)
Unit #12: Plants: Form & Function (Organisms & Populations)
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Chapter 31: Plant Structure, Reproduction, & Development - (Week of March 28th)
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Chapter 32: Plant Nutrition & Transport - (Week of March 28th - April 4th) -- (3rd Quarter Ends 4/1)
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Chapter 33: Control Systems in Plants - Week of April 4th
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Lab: Transpiration (AP Lab 9)
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Lab: Monocot/Dicot Structure Lab
Unit #11: Concepts of Evolution (Organisms & Populations)
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Chapter 34: The Biosphere - (Week of April 11th)
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Chapter 35: Population Dynamics - (Week of April 11th)
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Chapter 36: Communities & Ecosystems - (Week of April 11th)
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Spring Break (Read/Outline/Packet Chapters 34-38) - (Week of April 18th )
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Chapter 37: Behavioral Adaptation to the Environment - (Week of April 25th)
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Chapter 38: Conservation Biology - (Week of April 25th)
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Lab: Dissolved Oxygen and Aquatic Primary Productivity (AP Lab 12)
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Lab: Predator/Prey Simulation (teacher-generated)
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Lab: Biomagnification Simulation (Wildlife Project)
AP Review Week - (Week of May 2nd)
AP Biology Exam - (Monday, May 14th, 2012)
Final Projects Unit
Channel Islands Unit - (Week of May 16th)
Islands as an Evolutionary Lab; Local Island Evolution; Knowledge of Local Wildlife; Founder Effect; Local Environmental Issues
Website Project / YouTube Project- (Week of May 30th)
Biological Issues; Web Design / Video Production
Lab Component
This is a laboratory course in which students are expected to work individually and in groups to collect data and use that data to answer biological questions. Most labs culminate in a formal lab report that includes the elements of the scientific method including hypothesis, data, clear analysis of the results, properly labeled graphs and tables, and sources of error.
Semester Project
Students are required to turn in a semester project after winter break. The project is assigned on the first day of class. It consists of approximately 88 organisms. Students must research these organisms under specific parameters and put the information in outline form. A picture is required for each organism. This is how we address the survey of organisms in the world. Students must research this for a semester and construct a notebook on the survey of life.
Lab Practicum
The survey of living things is covered by lecture and lab for two weeks and culminates with a lab practicum reminiscent of a college practicum. Students are, however, able to use their semester project on the lab exam.
Cell Models
Students create cell models according to specific requirements. The cell must be a three-dimensional model and include organelles, proper shape, and accurate labeling.
Research Project
Students create a website or YouTube video on a biological topic. They must choose a topic and research it. Students must think critically about their issue and choose a position. They must then provide links that support their position and links that oppose it. Through this process, students will be encouraged to see science as a process. Students will also become proficient in web or video design and will have researched a global/societal issue in some depth.
Evolution Field Trip
Within the course we also tie in some local examples of evolution by learning about the California Channel Islands and their potential to be a natural laboratory for evolutionary processes. This culminates with a field trip to the Channel Islands after the A.P. test.
