Course title
SC120Pre-requisite
N/ACourse description
Biology is the study of life! Of you and everything alive around you from giant trees and whales to tiny microscopic bacteria that live in your gut! This course will focus on the study of cell structure; function and processes; genetics; classification; microbiology; plants; animals; human systems and ecology. Course includes the topics of human reproduction and evolution. Be advised that you will be completing 19 hands on labs as a part of this course; and are required to purchase the materials to be able to complete those labs. Don’t worry though; all of these materials can be purchased at a grocery or pet store and you will likely have most of them in your kitchen at home already. Plus; the labs are fun! J
-COURSE OBJECTIVES:
PStudents will develop an understanding of and experience the inquiry process that drives science. PStudents will examine historical examples of the contributions of different scientists from around the world and gain an understanding of the nature of science. PStudents will formulate informed opinions on real-world science issues and about how science shapes the world around us. PStudents will understand the role of the cell and cellular processes PStudents will understand the structure of living systems and the roles that inorganic matter and energy play in those systems. PStudents will understand the molecular basis of heredity. PStudents will analyze the relationships between organisms and their environments. PStudents will understand the scientific process of biological evolution. PStudents will experience formulating questions and hypotheses; designing and performing labs; analyzing data; and communicating conclusions.
-COURSE COMPLETION TIME:
18 weeks (1/2 credit; 1 semester class)
-COURSE CONTENT DELIVERY:
APEX Biology Core
www.apexvs.com
Labs developed by Global Academy
-LESSON OUTLINE (INCLUDING LABS):
Unit 1: Introduction to Biology
Section 1: Biology as Science
Lesson 1: The Nature of Science
Quiz: The Nature of Science
Lesson 2: The Scientific Process
Quiz: The Scientific Process
Lab: Diet Coke and Mentos
Journal:What is a Biologist
Section 2: Connections in Biology
Lesson 1: Themes in Biology
Quiz: Themes in Biology
Lab: What Does it Mean to Be Alive?
Lesson 2: Science Society and Technology
Quiz: Science Society and Technology
Practice: Themes in Biology
Section 3: Experimenting with the Introduction to Biology
Lesson 1: Studying the Scientific Method
Quiz: Studying the Scientific Method
Lab: Making a Rip-O-Meter
Introduction to Biology Wrap Up
Review: Unit Review
Unit Test
Unit 2: The Chemistry of Biology
Section 1: Chemistry of Life
Lesson: Common Elements in Living Things
Quiz: Common Elements in Living Things
Lesson: Chemical Reactions and Bonding
Quiz: Chemical Reactions and Bonding
Lab: Observing Chemical Reactions
Journal: Chemistry in Biology
Section2: Carbohydrates Lipids and Nucleic Acids
Lesson: Carbohydrates
Quiz: Carbohydrates
Lesson: Nucleic Acids and Lipids
Quiz: Nucleic Acids and Lipids
Lab: Extracting Strawberry DNA
Section 3: Proteins Enzymes and Water
Lesson: Proteins and Enzymes
Quiz: Proteins and Enzymes
Lesson: Water
Quiz: Water
Lab: Exploring the Properties of Water
Practice: Proteins Enzymes and Water
Section 4: Experimenting with the Chemistry of Biology
Lesson: Studying the Chemistry of Biology
Quiz: Studying the Chemistry of Biology
Lab: Stain Removal
The Chemistry of Biology Wrap Up
Review: Unit Review
Unit Test
Unit 3: Cells
Section 1: Cell Structure
Lesson: General Structure of the Cell
Quiz: General Structure of the Cell
Lesson: Detailed Structure of the Cell
Quiz: Detailed Structure of the Cell
Lab: Exploring Cell Structure
Journal: Chloroplasts
Section 2: Cell Membrane
Lesson: Cell Membrane Structure
Quiz: Cell Membrane Structure
Lesson: Cellular Transport
Quiz: Cellular Transport
Lab: Egg Osmosis
Section 3: Cell Differentiation
Lesson: Specialized Cells and Tissues
Quiz: Specialized Cells and Tissues
Lab: Exploring Specialized Cells
Lesson: Cell Differentiation and Stem Cells
Quiz: Cell Differentiation and Stem Cells
Practice: Cell Differentiation
Section 4: Experimenting with Cells
Lesson: Studying Cells
Quiz: Studying Cells
Lab: Observing the Rate of Diffusion
Cells Wrap-Up
Review: Unit Review
Unit Test
Unit 4: Energy Transfer
Section 1: Photosynthesis
Lesson: Photosynthesis
Quiz: Photosynthesis
Lesson: Process of Photosynthesis
Quiz: Process of Photosynthesis
Lab: Observing Photosynthesis
Journal: Your Sources of Oxygen
Section 2: Cellular Respiration
Lesson: Respiration Introduction
Quiz: Respiration Introduction
Lesson: Process of Respiration
Quiz: Process of Respiration
Lab: Observing Respiration
Section 3: Matter and Energy
Lesson: Relationships in an Ecosystem
Quiz: Relationships in an Ecosystem
Lesson: Energy in the Food Web
Quiz: Energy in the Food Web
Lab: Interactive Food Web
Practice: Matter and Energy
Section 4: Experimenting with Energy Transfer
Lesson: Studying Energy Transfer
Quiz: Studying Energy Transfer
Lab: A Twist on Fermentation
Energy Transfer Wrap Up
Review: Unit Review
Unit Test
Unit 5: Earth's Resources
Section 1: Biogeochemical Cycles
Lesson: Water and Oxygen Cycles
Quiz: Water and Oxygen Cycles
Lab: Observing the Water Cycle
Lesson: Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles
Quiz: Carbon and Nitrgoen Cycles
Journal: Your Contribution
Section 2: A Changing Earth
Lesson: Climate Change
Quiz: Climate Change
Lab: Calculating Your Carbon Footprint
Lesson: Human Population
Quiz: Human Population
Section 3: Solutions for the Future
Lesson: Sustaining Resources
Quiz: Sustaining Resources
Lab: Recycling Paper
Lesson: Alternative Energy
Quiz: Alterntive Energy
Practice: Solutions for the Future
Section 4: Experimenting with Earth's Resources
Lesson: Studying Earth's Resources
Quiz: Studying Earth's Resources
Lab: Can Lake Life Remain Despite Acid Rain?
Earth's Resources Wrap-Up
Review: Unit Review
Unit Test
Biology Semester 1 Review and Exam
-EXAMPLE LAB (LAB 1-UNIT 1; LESSON 2):
Diet Coke and Mentos
Introduction: In this lab; you will be going through the steps of the scientific method. You will making observations and then coming up with your own question and designing your own experiment to test that question.
Materials Required: The materials for this lab depend on what experiment you design. You will need to complete the first 4 steps of the lab (through procedures) before you will know what you need.
Most likely you will need:
Soda
Mentos
Sheet of paper
Ruler or measuring cups
Baking dish
Observations: Go to http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/original-mentos-diet-coke... and scroll down slightly to the area that says video. You do not need to read anything else; just watch that video. Make 5 observations as you watch the experiment. Remember to make your observations detailed and relevant.
1.
2.
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5.
Check to makes sure they are actual observations and not inferences! Remember that an observation is something that can be sensed directly by one of the 5 senses. Put a check mark by each that is an actual observation.
Question: Make a list of three questions you could ask about the demo. An example question would be; ‘Do regular or fire Mentos cause a bigger reaction?’. Make 3 questions of your own.
1.
2.
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Put a check mark by questions that are testable via the scientific method in your home. Circle the question you would like to design an experiment for and test.
Hypothesis: Make a hypothesis about your question. Make sure your hypothesis is a complete sentence; answers the question; and gives a reason. An example would be ‘Fire Mentos would cause a bigger reaction because they are hotter’.
Now make a prediction about your experiment. Your prediction should be in a if/then form and look like this: ‘If (the prediction is true)_____ then (this is what I should observe)__ . An example would be ‘If Fire Mentos cause a greater reaction; then more soda will have left the bottle’.
Your prediction now defines what you are going to test and measure.
Procedures: Create detailed procedures for your experiment. Hint: The experiment uses a specially designed tube that allows for many Mentos to be dropped in at once. You can use a business card and a single Mentos. Make sure that they are detailed enough that someone else could read them and perform your experiment. Make sure as you set up your procedures that when the experiment is complete; you will be able to have data collected; and will be able to answer whether your hypothesis was supported or not supported by that data. Be sure to also control your variables and include a control group to compare your data to. Hint: A typical control group for this experiment will be the standard Diet Coke and Mentos.
What is the only variable you will change in your procedures? What is your control group?
How will these procedures control all other variables? Hint: This means; what factors will you keep the same?
Once you do perform your experiment will your question be able to be answered? How do you know?
What will you be measuring and how will you measure it?
How many times will you repeat your experiment? Hint: You should do it at least 3 times to be able to get an average for your control group and an average for your test group.
Sketch a sample data table here to collect your data in. Hint: Pretend you are ready to do your experiment; draw a table that will allow you to collect all of your data for both groups for all of your trials. You will not actually collect your data in this; this is just to have you think through what it will look like.
What materials do you need to get for your experiment?
Data Collection: Now you will actually perform your experiment. Remember to take a picture at the end of your experiment of you with your results.
Re-draw your data table here and record your data as you do your experiment.
Make 10 observations as you do your experiment.
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2.
3.
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6.
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10.
Analysis and Conclusions: Find the average values of all of your trials for your experiment. Hint: You should have 1 average for your control group and 1 for your test group. Remember average = total value/ number of trials
Make a graph of your data table. Also be sure to have a title and label your axises. Hint: You will likely use a bar graph to compare your control to experimental group.
Answer these questions in complete sentences:
1. Was your hypothesis supported? How do you know (what evidence do you have)?
2. Is there another possible explanation for what happened?
3. List 2 possible sources of error in your experiment.
4. List 3 further questions you could ask about this experiment.
5. What have you learned by doing this experiment?
6. What was your favorite part? What was your least favorite part?
Use this space to submit the photo of yourself completing your experiment.
Optional Extension: Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vk4_2xboOE and watch this experiment taken to the extreme. J
School country
United StatesSchool state
ArizonaSchool city
GilbertSchool / district Address
500 S McQueenSchool zip code
85233Date submitted
Approved
YesApproved competency code
- LBIO
- Biology