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Investigate the characteristics of living things
Assessment Strategies
through class discussions, quizzes and examinations
Criteria
you list the characteristics of living things
you distinguish between growth, development and reproduction
you define homeostatis and give examples
you distinguish the levels of organization of living things
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Apply the scientific method to the biological sciences
Assessment Strategies
through class discussions, quizzes and examinations, and a written and oral report
Criteria
you list the steps used in the scientific process
you develop an example utilizing the scientific method
you utilize inductive and deductive logic in the scientific method
you differentiate between the following terms: hypothesis, observation, theory, and law
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Demonstrate a working knowledge of microscopes
Assessment Strategies
through class discussions, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you name the parts of the compound microscope and the stereoscopic microscope
you describe the function of each of the parts of the microscope
you determine the total magnification of any given combination of ocular and objective lenses
you measure the field of view at 40x, 100x, and 470x magnification
you demonstrate the correct use of the compound microscope and the stereoscopic microscope
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Apply basic biochemistry concepts as they relate to macromolecules
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you define matter, energy and force
you identify bond types: covalent, ionic, and hydrogen (proton bonds) and name their basic structural subunits
you define the characteristics of water and name the basic structural subunits
you discuss acid-base balance and name the basic structural subunits
you discuss the nature of buffers and name the basic structural subunits
you describe the nature of synthetic and hydrolytic reactions and name the basic structural subunits
you name the four main types of organic molecules found in plants and their basic structural subunits
you describe the principal functions of each macromolecule
you distinguish between hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis and give an example of each
you distinguish between structural polysaccharides and energy storage polysaccharides and give an example of each
you define what an enzyme is and why enzymes are important to cells
you name the parts of an enzyme and describe the function of each part
you differentiate between ATP and ADP, and explain why ATP is important
you distinguish between primary and secondary metabolites
you name the main types of secondary metabolites and provide examples of each type
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Investigate the plant cell and the cell cycle
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you compare selected features of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells -- size, cell wall, nuclear envelope, DNA, organelles, and cytoskeleton
you name the various types of plastids and what role(s) each plays
you describe the cytoskeleton and its functions
you describe how primary cell walls differ from secondary cell walls
you describe the cell cycle and its regulation
you describe the key events that occur in the G1, S, G2, and M phases of the cell cycle
you explain what mitosis is
you identify each of the four phases of mitosis, using a microscope
you describe what events occur in each of the four phases
you describe cytokinesis
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Investigate the movement of substances into and out of cells
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you explain the concept of water potential
you distinguish between osmosis and diffusion
you describe the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane
you describe the role played by its two major components
you explain the role of transport proteins in the movement of materials across the cell membrane
you describe the similarities and differences between facilitated diffusion and active transport
you describe vesicle-mediated transport
you describe the roles of signal transduction and plasmodesmata in cell-to-cell communication
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Investigate the flow of energy in living systems
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you describe how the first and second laws of thermodynamics apply to living systems
you explain why oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions are important to living systems
you describe some of the factors that influence enzyme activity
you describe how feedback inhibition regulates cellular activity
you describe coupled reactions
you explain how ATP functions as an intermediate between exergonic and endergonic reactions
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Investigate cellular respiration
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, a laboratory exercise and report, and by developing a concept map
Criteria
you outline the main events of respiration -- glycolysis, the transition reaction, the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport and chemiosmosis), and fermentation
you differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic respiration
you explain how glycolysis and fermentation are related
you explain the central role of the citric acid cycle in the metabolism of the cell
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Investigate photosynthesis
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, a laboratory exercise and report, and by developing a concept map
Criteria
you explain the role of light in photosynthesis
you name the principal pigments involved in photosynthesis
you explain why leaves are green
you separate the photosynthetic pigments using paper chromatography and thin layer chromatography
you name the reactants and products of the light dependent reactions
you name the reactants and products of the light independent reactions
you describe the main events associated with each of the two photosystems in the light reactions
you differentiate between antenna pigments and reaction center pigments
you describe the differences and similarities between C3, C4, and CAM pathways for carbon fixation
you describe the absorption spectrum
you describe the action spectrum
you prepare an action spectrum for the pigments in spinach leaves, using a spectrophotometer
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Investigate sexual reproduction and heredity
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, a laboratory exercise and report, and by performing genetic crosses using living plants (e.g., Wisconsin Fast Plants)
Criteria
you relate the haploid and diploid chromosome number, meiosis, and fertilization
you explain the importance of crossing over
you list the main events of meiosis I
you explain how meiosis I differs from meiosis II
you compare the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction
you summarize the major findings of Gregor Mendel and explain the unique aspects of his experimental method
you explain why a trait is visible in the parent but not in the offspring
you explain how a test cross is performed and its importance
you explain the concept of linked genes
you explain how the concept of linked genes is at odds with independent assortment
you list and give examples of different types of mutations
you explain how mutations affect the evolution of a population of organisms
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Investigate the chemistry of heredity and gene expression
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you explain how DNA replication occurs
you explain what the genetic code is
you describe the main steps in transcription of RNA from DNA
you explain where translation occurs
you list the major steps of translation
you explain how gene expression is regulated in eukaryotes
you extract DNA from living cells
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Investigate recombinant DNA technology, plant biotechnology, and genomics
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion and quizzes and examinations
Criteria
you explain how recombinant DNA technology is used to create novel genotypes
you discuss the importance of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism
you describe some of the techniques used in plant biotechnology to manipulate the genetic potential of plants
you explain what genomics is
you explain how one determines the function of a newly discovered gene
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Examine the concepts of evolution
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion and quizzes and examinations
Criteria
you explain the difference between static and dynamic views of species
you describe five lines of evidence supporting the evolutionary process
you describe the Darwinian view of change over time
you distinguish the Darwinian view from inheritance of acquired characteristics
you distinguish natural from artificial selection
you identify each of Darwin's postulates
you provide evidence in support of each postulate
you relate evolution to Mendelian genetics
you recognize that evolution acts on phenotypes, not genotypes
you recognizes that populations, not individuals, evolve
you state the Hardy-Weinberg law
you demonstrate mathematically that gene frequency doesn't change in a non-evolving population
you identify five agents that can change gene frequency in a gene pool
you explain how each agent can alter frequency
you describe allopatric and sympatric speciation
you explain genetic isolation
you define co-evolution
you give examples of co-evolution
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Investigate systematics
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and by preparing a cladogram
Criteria
you explain what binomial system of nomenclature is
you explain why the term "hierarchical" is used to describe taxonomic groups
you name the principal categories between the levels of species and kingdom
you explain what a cladistic analysis is
you draw a cladogram for mosses, ferns, pines, and oaks
you provide evidence for the existence of the three major domains of living organisms
you compare the major characteristics of each of the four kingdoms of eukaryotes
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Investigate viruses and prokaryotic organisms
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and by preparing a cladogram
Criteria
you describe the basic structure of a prokaryotic cell
you explain how prokaryotes reproduce
you describe ways for genetic recombination to occur in prokaryotes
you explain the importance of cyanobacteria
you compare the metabolism of cyanobacteria and the purple and green bacteria
you explain how mycoplasms differ from all other bacteria
you describe the physiology of the three groups of archaea
you describe the basic structure of a virus
you describe how viruses reproduce
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Investigate the protists
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you explain how dinoflagellates, euglenoids, and crytomonads are similar
you explain how oomycetes differ from other heterokonts
you list important plant disease causes by oomycetes
you list the basic characteristics of brown algae
you list the basic characteristics of red algae
you describe the characteristics of green algae that have led botanists to conclude that green algae are the protist group from which bryophytes and vascular plants evolved
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Investigate fungi
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you name the characteristics of fungi that differentiate them from all other organisms
you describe the type of organism it is thought that fungi evolved from
you list the distinguishing characteristics of the Chytridomycoata, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota
you explain the relationship of yeast to filamentous fungi
you explain how conidial fungi are related to other fungi
you describe some of the symbiotic relationships between fungi and other organisms
you describe the ecological importance of fungi
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Investigate bryophytes
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and by preparing a correctly labeled drawing of the life cycle of Polypodium sp.
Criteria
you explain the concept of alternation of generations
you describe the general characteristics of a bryophyte
you compare the three phyla of bryophytes
you describe the life cycle of a bryophyte
you identify the parts of sporophyte
you identify the parts of the gametophyte
you compare the structure and form of the liverworts, hornworts, and mosses
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Investigate seedless vascular plants
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, a laboratory exercise and report, and by preparing correctly labeled drawings of the life cycles of a zygomycete, an ascomycete, and a basidiomycete
Criteria
you list "pivotal step" in the evolution of vascular plants that accouant for their success on land
you explain the difference between microphylls and magaphylls
you explain the evolutionary origin of each -- microphylls and megaphylls
you compare homospory with heterospory
you describe the life cycle of a fern (Polypodium)
you compare the structure and form of the whisk ferns, club mosses, quillworts, horsetails, scouring rushed, and ferns
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Investigate the evolution and life cycle of gymnosperms
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and by preparing a correctly labeled drawing of the conifer life cycle
Criteria
you discuss the importance of the seed in the evolution of plants
you discuss what group of plants is it hypothesized that seed plants evolved from
you draw and label the life cycle of conifers
you name the four phyla of gymnosperms with living representatives
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Investigate reproduction in angiosperms
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, a laboratory exercise and report, and by preparing a correctly labeled drawing of the angiosperm life cycle
Criteria
you identify the principal parts of a flower
you describe some of the variations that exist in flower structure
you compare the processes by which angiosperms form microgametophytes and megagametophytes
you describe the structure of the mature microgametophyte in angiosperms
you describe the structure of the mature megagametophyte in angiosperms
you describe double fertilization
you name the products of double fertilization
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Investigate the evolution of angiosperms
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations
Criteria
you state the current hypothesis on the origin of angiosperms
you list the four principal evolutionary trends among flowers
you compare different methods of pollination
you describe some of the adaptations of fruits to their dispersal agents
you describe how secondary metabolites have influenced angiosperm evolution
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Investigate early development of the plant body
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you explain why polarity is important to plant embryogenesis
you name the primary mersistems of plants
you list the tissues each of these meristems forms
you compare the embryogenesis of monocots and dicots
you explain how mutations have helped scientists to understand embryo development
you identify the main parts of the monocot embryo and the dicot embryo
you plant seeds of monocots and dicots to compare their development
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Investigate cells and tissues of the plant body
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you describe the composition of a meristem
you describe the overlapping processes of plant development
you identify the three tissue systems of the plant body
you identify the tissues that comprise each of these tissue systems
you identify parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma cells
you compare parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma cells
you identify the principal conducting cell in xylem
you identify the principal conduction cell in phloem
you list the characteristics of each cell type
you list the roles played by the epidermis
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Investigate root structure and development
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you compare the two principal types of root systems
you describe the functions of the root cap
you identify the tissues present in the root at the end of primary growth
you describe the effect secondary growth has on the primary body of the root
you identify the origin of lateral roots
you name modifications to the "typical" root in various plants
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Investigate the primary structure and development of the shoot
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you identify the structures of the shoot apical meristem
you describe the relationship between apical meristem and the shoot
you describe the three primary types of organization found in the primary structure of the stems of seed plants
you define leaf traces
you name the four basic types of leaf arrangement
you describe the structural differences between the leaves of monocots and dicots
you describe the structure of a "typical" leaf
you describe modifications to the "typical" stem found in various plants
you describe modifications to the "typical" leaf found in various plants
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Investigate secondary growth in stems
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you contrast annuals, biennials, and perennials
you describe the functions of the cells that compose the vascular cambium
you describe how secondary growth affects the primary body of the stem
you name the tissues that ar eproduced by the cork cambium
you describe the function of the periderm
you explain what bark is
you explain how the composition of bark changes during the life of a woody plant
you define wood
you contrast conifer wood and angiosperm wood
you discuss the various uses of plants
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Investigate plant hormones
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you compare the five major groups of plant hormones as to their chemical nature, site of biosynthesis, transport, and effects
you observe how plant hormones are used in tissue culture
you investigate how plant hormones exert their effects at the molecular level
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Investigate external factors that influence plant growth
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you define tropism and provide examples of tropisms
you define and give examples of nastic movements
you explain how plants respond to light and gravity
you explain why it is important for plants to be able to "tell time"
you investigate the characteristics of biological clocks in plants
you explain how day length affects flowering
you characterize phytochrome
you explain how phytochrome is involved in flowering, seed germination, and stem growth
you characterize dormancy
you list environmental cues that may be necessary to break dormancy in seeds and buds
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Investigate plant nutrition and soils
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and a laboratory exercise and report
Criteria
you name the elements that are essential to plant growth
you list the function and deficiency symptoms of some of the essential elements
you name the sources of inorganic nutrients utilized by plants
you identify the components of nutrient cycles
you explain how humans have disrupted nutrient cycles
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Investigate the movement of water and solutes in plants
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations
Criteria
you explain the process of transpiration
you explain the structure and function of guard cells
you explain how the cohesion-tension theory accounts for the movement of water to the top of tall trees
you explain how the osmotically generated pressure-flow mechanism accounts for the movement of sugars from source to sink
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Investigate ecology
Assessment Strategies
through class discussion, quizzes and examinations, and an oral and written report
Criteria
you differentiate between a population, a community, and an ecosystem
you describe how energy flows through a food chain
you identify various symbiotic relationships
you list factors that influence the distribution of biomes
you describe the characteristic plants of the major biomes
you describe succession
you describe biogeochemical cycles