Human Genetics

1. Understand and build pedigree charts.

2. Describe technologies used for genetic diagnosis.

3. Define and identify Karyotype mapping in terms of techniques and components.

4. Understand, describe, and give examples of human patterns of inheritance (Autosomal Recessive, Autosomal Dominant, Sex-linked).

5. Define and give examples of inherited human traits based on one gene, including heterozygous advantage.

6. Define and give examples of congenital genetic diseases, including non-disjunction.

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Genetic Variation

1. Explain how traits are expressed and understand conditions that lead to mutations.

2. Define mutation and distinguish non-genetic mutations from gene mutations.

3. Define and identify mutations that involve chromosome number and structure.

4. Describe mutations in somatic cells versus sex cells.

5. Understand how genetics is used to produce desired traits in an organism (selective breeding; applied genetics).

 

Evolution/Creation, Diversity, and Classification

1. Establish the best way to deal with a potentially controversial and contentious issue.

2. Identify and dismantle misconceptions related to creation / evolution.

3. Learn and practice the appropriate questions to ask in a discussion of creation / evolution.

4. Understand the fossil record, its place in earth’s history, and the use of radioactive dating.

5. Identify scientists who advocate evolution and are held in high esteem in the world.

6. Define gradualism and punctuated equilibrium, understanding their components. Explain each theory and why it exists.

7. Discuss a major problem with gradualism.

8. Define and give examples of natural selection, Hardy-Weinberg Principle, Genetic Drift, and Gene Flow.

9. Recognize the Geologic Time Scale (Eon, Epoch, Period, Era).

 

Classification / Viruses

1. Explain the need for and benefits of classification. What is the scientific name for classification?

2. Describe the process (history) of the modern system of classification (People, Basis, Language, Categories).

3. Explain how modern taxonomy takes into account other types of evidence when attempting to classify an organism.

4. Understand the progression of classifying kingdoms and domains.

5. Define a virus and its components, noting why they are significant.

 

Bacteria / Protists / Fungi

1. Identify the characteristics of bacteria.

2. Name and describe the two kingdoms related to bacteria.

3. Discuss the overall importance of bacteria.

4. Identify the characteristics of Protists.

5. Describe the three protist groups and their characteristics.

6. Compare and contrast the three groups of protists.

7. Identify the characteristics shared by all fungi.

8. Classify fungi into groups based on their methods of reproduction.

9. Differentiate among imperfect fungi and all other fungi.

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Plant Kingdom

1. Explain the importance of plants and their general life cycle?

2. Describe the taxonomic diversity of plants (bryophytes and tracheophytes).

3. Distinguish characteristics of bryophytes (gametophytes, rhizoids, etc.) and tracheophytes (seedless, seeds, cones, flowers, cotyledons).

4. Understand the basic tissues found in all tracheophytes and how plants grow.

5. Learn to use a dichotomous key to identify plants (trees).

6. Identify the major organs in plants, including the function and anatomy of each one?

7. Distinguish herbaceous & woody plants, monocots & dicots.

8. Explain the formation and aspects of secondary growth, including vascular tissue & bark.

9. Understand how plants acquire nutrients from air, water, and soil (root pressure, capillary action, transpiration), including light absorption and guard cells.

10. Identify Hormones and explain the process of germination.

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Animal Kingdom

1. Identify the two branches of the animal kingdom (invertebrates and vertebrates).

2. Explain five common characteristics of organisms in the animal kingdom.

3. Describe the process of embryonic maturation (blastula, gastrula, true tissues).

4. Distinguish the five Animal Body Plans and how this relates to animal phyla.

5. Understand and explain the general features of invertebrate animals (non-chordates), including porifera, cnidarians, flatworms, roundworms, mollusks, annelids, arthropods, and echinoderms.

6. General Features include:

• Phylum

• Examples of organisms

• Location

• Symmetry

• Body plan (tissue layers)

• Coelom relationship (acoelomate, pseudocoelomate, coelomate)

• Protostome or deuterostome

• Reproduction

• Special features

Chordates

1. Understand and explain the four features that all Chordates possess at some time in their life.

2. Identify and describe symmetry, germ layers, coelom relationship (acoelomate, pseudocoelomate, coelomate), protostome or deuterostome, & reproduction in chordates.

3. Distinguish the characteristics of various subgroups of chordates (urochordate, cephalochordate, vertebrates) and the classes of organisms within chordates.

4. Associate chordate diversity with the classes of organisms related to locomotion (limbs, wings), body temperature regulation (ectotherm, endotherm), type of fertilization (external, internal), type of egg development and maturation (oviparity, ovoviviparity, viviparity), and special features (metamorphosis, amniotic egg, hollow bones, etc.).

 

Ecology

1. Define ecology and levels of organization within an individual and outside the organism.

2. Identify two major variables that affect all organisms.

3. Understand interactions in an ecosystem.    

4. Distinguish habitat from niche.

5. Food chains, food webs, food pyramids

6. Food relationships, cycles of materials in nature

7. Explain how energy flows between trophic levels of a food chain (pyramid).

8. Describe how energy supply limits the length of food chains

9. Explain how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem (biogeochemical cycles).

10. Describe the five major types of interactions between organisms.

11. Identify community ecological interactions, including competition, predation, and symbiosis.

12. Define and explain ecological succession from pioneer species to climax communities and world biomes.

13. Understand population ecology, survivorship, and growth.

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Human Anatomy & Physiology (Skin, Bones, Muscles)

1.  Recognize the hierarchy of levels of organization for humans (cells, tissues, organs, systems).

2.  Identify characteristics and define the purpose of the four types of human tissues, emphasizing:

• Skin (Epithelial tissue)

• Skeleton (Connective tissue)

• Muscle tissue

• Nervous tissue (next lesson)

 3.  Understand how Organ Systems work together to perform life’s functions.

 4.  Describe regulation of the internal environment (homeostasis)

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Human Anatomy & Physiology (Nervous, Circulatory & Respiratory Systems)

1.  Recognize, identify, and define the anatomy and function of the human nervous system.

• Central vs. Peripheral Nervous System

• Neurons, Synapses

• Membrane Potential

2.  Recognize, identify, and define the anatomy and function of the human circulatory system.

• Blood Vessels

• The Heart

• Types of Blood

3.  Recognize, identify, and define the anatomy and function of the human respiratory system.

• Inhalation vs. Exhalation

• Transport and exchange of Gases

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Human Anatomy & Physiology (Endocrine, Immune, Digestive, Excretory Systems)

1. Recognize, identify, & define the anatomy and function of the human Endocrine system.

   • Types of glands (exocrine versus endocrine).

   • Positive / Negative feedback mechanism.

2. Recognize, identify, & define the anatomy and function of the human Immune system.

   • Types of White Blood Cells; two general categories (innate vs. adaptive); Lines of defense.

   • Acquired immunity (active vs. passive); Primary vs. Secondary response; Immune diseases.

3. Recognize, identify, & define the anatomy and function of the human Digestive system.

   • Nutrients; Four stages of food processing; Two methods of digestion.

   • Alimentary Canal (stomach to anus) with digestive accessory glands.

4. Recognize, identify, & define the anatomy and function of the human Excretory system.

   • Homeostasis; excretory organs.

   • Urinary system; Urine formation; Control of kidney function.

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Human Reproduction

1. Male & Female anatomy and function

2. Fertilization to Birth