Content Topics

 

Unit 1

Exploring Life

 

Unit 2

Studying Cell Structure

 

Unit 3

Studying Cell Processes

 

Unit 4

Cell Reproduction and Heredity

 

Unit 5

Evolution

 

Unit 6

Classification of Living Organisms

 

Unit 7

Viruses and Monerans

 

Unit 8

Immunity

 

Unit 9

Drugs and Nutrition

 

Unit 10

Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems

 

Unit 11

Circulatory, Lymphatic, and Respiratory Systems

 

Unit 12

Digestive and Excretory Systems

 

Unit 13

Nervous and Endocrine Systems

 

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Assessments

 

• General Assignments
• Science Log
• Quizzes
• Tests
• Projects
• Class Participation

 

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Standards Alignment:

 

PA State Standards:

 

The PA Standards Taught in this Course:
3.1 Unifying Themes of Science

3.1.7 A. Explain the parts of a simple system and their relationship to each other. · Describe a system as a group of related parts that work together to achieve a desired result (e.g., digestive system). · Explain the importance of order in a system. · Distinguish between system inputs, system processes and system outputs. · Distinguish between open loop and closed loop systems. · Apply systems analysis to solve problems.

3.1.10A. Discriminate among the concepts of systems, subsystems, feedback and control in solving technological problems. · Identify the function of subsystems within a larger system (e.g., role of thermostat in an engine, pressure switch). · Describe the interrelationships among inputs, processes, outputs, feedback and control in specific systems. · Explain the concept of system redesign and apply it to improve technological systems. · Apply the universal systems model to illustrate specific solutions and troubleshoot specific problems. · Analyze and describe the effectiveness of systems to solve specific problems.

3.1.7 B. Describe the use of models as an application of scientific or technological concepts. · Identify and describe different types of models and their functions. · Apply models to predict specific results and observations (e.g., population growth, effects of infectious organisms). · Explain systems by outlining a system's relevant parts and its purpose and/or designing a model that illustrates its function.

3.1.7 C. Identify patterns as repeated processes or recurring elements in science and technology. · Identify different forms of patterns and use them to group and classify specific objects. · Identify repeating structure patterns. · Identify and describe patterns that occur in physical systems (e.g., construction, manufacturing, transportation), informational systems and biochemical-related systems.

3.1.10 C. Apply patterns as repeated processes or recurring elements in science and technology. · Examine and describe recurring patterns that form the basis of biological classification, chemical periodicity, geological order and astronomical order. · Examine and describe stationary physical patterns. · Examine and describe physical patterns in motion.

3.1.7 E. Identify change as a variable in describing natural and physical systems. · Describe fundamental science and technology concepts that could solve practical problems. · Explain how ratio is used to describe change. · Describe the effect of making a change in one part of a system on the system as a whole.

3.1.10 E. Describe patterns of change in nature, physical and man made systems. · Describe how fundamental science and technology concepts are used to solve practical problems (e.g., momentum, Newton's laws of universal gravitation, tectonics, conservation of mass and energy, cell theory, theory of evolution, atomic theory, theory of relativity, Pasteur's germ theory, relativity, heliocentric theory, gas laws, feedback systems). · Recognize that stable systems often involve underlying dynamic changes (e.g., a chemical reaction at equilibrium has molecules reforming continuously). · Describe the effects of error in measurements. · Describe changes to matter caused by heat, cold, light or chemicals using a rate function.

3.2. Inquiry and Design:

3.2.7 A. Explain and apply scientific and technological knowledge. · Distinguish between a scientific theory and a belief. · Answer "What if" questions based on observation, inference or prior knowledge or experience. · Explain how skepticism about an accepted scientific explanation led to a new understanding. · Explain how new information may change existing theories and practice.

3.2.10 A. Apply knowledge and understanding about the nature of scientific and technological knowledge. · Compare and contrast scientific theories and beliefs. · Know that science uses both direct and indirect observation means to study the world and the universe. · Integrate new information into existing theories and explain implied results.

3.2.7 B. Apply process knowledge to make and interpret observations. · Measure materials using a variety of scales. · Describe relationships by making inferences and predictions. · Communicate, use space / time relationships, define operationally, raise questions, formulate hypotheses, test and experiment, · Design controlled experiments, recognize variables, and manipulate variables. · Interpret data, formulate models, design models, and produce solutions.

3.2.10 B. Apply process knowledge and organize scientific and technological phenomena in varied ways. · Describe materials using precise quantitative and qualitative skills based on observations. · Develop appropriate scientific experiments: raising questions, formulating hypotheses, testing, controlled experiments, recognizing variables, manipulating variables, interpreting data, and producing solutions. · Use process skills to make inferences and predictions using collected information and to communicate, using space / time relationships, defining operationally.

3.2.7 C. Identify and use the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems. · Generate questions about objects, organisms and/or events that can be answered through scientific investigations. · Evaluate the appropriateness of questions. · Design an investigation with limited variables to investigate a question. · Conduct a two-part experiment. · Judge the significance of experimental information in answering the question. · Communicate appropriate conclusions from the experiment.

C. Apply the elements of scientific inquiry to solve problems. · Generate questions about objects, organisms and/or events that can be answered through scientific investigations. · Evaluate the appropriateness of questions. · Design an investigation with adequate control and limited variables to investigate a question. · Conduct a multiple step experiment. · Organize experimental information using a variety of analytic methods. · Judge the significance of experimental information in answering the question. · Suggest additional steps that might be done experimentally.

3.3. Biological Sciences:

3.3.7 A. Describe the similarities and differences that characterize diverse living things. · Describe how the structures of living things help them function in unique ways. · Explain how to use a dichotomous key to identify plants and animals. · Account for adaptations among organisms that live in a particular environment.

3.3.10 A Explain the structural and functional similarities and differences found among living things. · Identify and characterize major life forms according to their placement in existing classification groups. · Explain the relationship between structure and function at the molecular and cellular levels. · Describe organizing schemes of classification keys. · Identify and characterize major life forms by kingdom, phyla, class and order.

3.3.7 B. Describe the cell as the basic structural and functional unit of living things. · Identify the levels of organization from cell to organism. · Compare life processes at the organism level with life processes at the cell level. · Explain that cells and organisms have particular structures that underlie their functions. · Describe and distinguish among cell cycles, reproductive cycles and life cycles. · Explain disease effects on structures or functions of an organism.

3.3.10 B. Describe and explain the chemical and structural basis of living organisms. · Describe the relationship between the structure of organic molecules and the function they serve in living organisms. · Identify the specialized structures and regions of the cell and the functions of each. · Explain how cells store and use information to guide their functions. · Explain cell functions and processes in terms of chemical reactions and energy changes.

3.3.7 C. Know that every organism has a set of genetic instructions that determines its inherited traits. · Identify and explain inheritable characteristics. · Identify that the gene is the basic unit of inheritance. · Identify basic patterns of inheritance (e.g., dominance, recessive, co-dominance). · Describe how traits are inherited. · Distinguish how different living things reproduce (e.g., vegetative budding, sexual). · Recognize that mutations can alter a gene.· Describe how selective breeding, natural selection and genetic technologies can change genetic makeup of organisms.

3.3.10 C. Describe how genetic information is inherited and expressed. · Compare and contrast the function of mitosis and meiosis. · Describe mutations' effects on a trait's expression. · Distinguish different reproductive patterns in living things (e.g., budding, spores, fission). · Compare random and selective breeding practices and their results (e.g., antibiotic resistant bacteria). · Explain the relationship among DNA, genes and chromosomes. · Explain different types of inheritance (e.g., multiple allele, sex-influenced traits). · Describe the role of DNA in protein synthesis as it relates to gene expression.

3.3.7 D. Explain basic concepts of natural selection. · Identify adaptations that allow organisms to survive in their environment. · Describe how an environmental change can affect the survival of organisms and entire species. · Know that differences in individuals of the same species may give some advantage in surviving and reproducing. · Recognize that populations of organisms can increase rapidly. · Describe the role that fossils play in studying the past. · Explain how biologic extinction is a natural process.

3.3.10 D. Explain the mechanisms of the theory of evolution. · Analyze data from fossil records, similarities in anatomy and physiology, embryological studies and DNA studies that are relevant to the theory of evolution. · Explain the role of mutations and gene recombination in changing a population of organisms. · Compare modern day descendants of extinct species and propose possible scientific accounts for their present appearance. · Describe the factors (e.g., isolation, differential reproduction) affecting gene frequency in a population over time and their consequences. · Describe and differentiate between the roles of natural selection and genetic drift. · Describe changes that illustrate major events in the earth's development based on a time line. · Explain why natural selection can act only on inherited traits. · Apply the concept of natural selection to illustrate and account for a species' survival, extinction or change over time.

 

3.6. Technology Education:

3.6.7 B. Explain information technologies of encoding, transmitting, receiving, storing, retrieving and decoding. · Demonstrate the effectiveness of image generating technique to communicate a story (e.g., photography, video). · Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of a graphic object designed and produced to communicate a thought or concept. · Apply basic technical drawing techniques to communicate an idea or solution to a problem. · Apply the appropriate method of communications technology to communicate a thought.

 

3.7. Technological Devices:

3.7.7 D. Apply computer software to solve specific problems. · Identify software designed to meet specific needs (e.g., Computer Aided Drafting, design software, tutorial, financial, presentation software). · Identify and solve basic software problems relevant to specific software applications. · Identify basic multimedia applications. · Demonstrate a basic knowledge of desktop publishing applications. · Apply intermediate skills in utilizing word processing, database and spreadsheet software. · Apply basic graphic manipulation techniques.

3.7.7 E. Explain basic computer communications systems. · Describe the organization and functions of the basic parts that make up the World Wide Web. · Apply advanced electronic mail functions. · Apply basic on-line research techniques to solve a specific problem.

4.7. Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species

4.7.7 B. Explain how species of living organisms adapt to their environment. · Explain the role of individual variations in natural selection. · Explain how an adaptation is an inherited structure or behavior that helps an organism survive and reproduce. · Describe how a particular trait may be selected over time and account for a species' adaptation. · Compare and contrast animals and plants that have very specific survival requirements with those that have more general requirements for survival. · Explain how living things respond to changes in their environment. · Explain how one species may survive an environmental change while another might not.

4.4.10 B. Explain how structure, function and behavior of plants and animals affect their ability to survive. · Describe an organism's adaptations for survival in its habitat. · Compare adaptations among species.

4.7.10 C. Identify and explain why adaptations can lead to specialization. · Explain factors that could lead to a species' increase or decrease. · Explain how management practices may influence the success of specific species. · Identify and explain criteria used by scientists for categorizing organisms as threatened, endangered or extinct.

 

National Standards:

Science as Inquiry Standards:
*Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
*Understand about scientific inquiry

Life Science Standards:
*The cell
*Molecular basis of heredity
*Biological evolution
*Interdependence of organisms
*Matter, energy, and organizations in living
systems
*Behavior of organisms

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives Standards:
*Personal and community
*Population growth
*Natural resources
*Environmental quality
*Natural and human-induced hazards
*Science and technology in local, national, and
global

History and Nature of Science Standards:
*Science as a human endeavor
*Nature of scientific knowledge
*Historical persectives