Download 2011-2012 Goals of Biology 252

Goals of Biology 252 & 253 (updated 9/6/11)
The following goals are selected to familiarize students with information required by the
New Jersey Core Content Curriculum Standards and will be covered in one or more of
the following methods; reading, lecture, labs or discussions and broken into 7 Units. You
will be responsible for this information on tests and or quizzes. Please, if at anytime you
are not sure you understand the material come to tutorial for assistance. I look
forward to helping all who want assistance.
Unit 1: Nature of Life
1. Explain the goal of science.
2. Recognize and create a hypothesis.
3. Define and categorize theories, Scientific vs. common.
4. Engage in safe and accurate scientific practices when designing, implementing
and reporting investigations.
5. Chart and graph results of experiment.
6. Describe and use the measurement system used by most scientists.
7. Identify 8 characteristics of life used to recognize if something is alive.
8. Differentiate between light and electron microscopes & disadvantage of each.
9. Demonstrate use of a light microscope & wet mount slide.
10. Calculate power of magnification for a light microscope.
Unit 2: Biochemistry
1. Identify three subatomic particles found in atoms
2. Explain the characteristics of chemical compounds
3. Analyze the bonds between atoms, ionic verses covalent
4. Explain why water molecules are polar
5. Describe the functions of each group of organic compounds
6. Compare structure of monomers and polymers.
7. Classify foods by the organic compounds they contain
8. Describe the nutrients (macromolecules) your body needs
9. Critique your diet (the balance of macromolecules you eat) and how this may
affect your functions
10. Identify the parts of a food chain
11. Assess how temperature and pH, affect enzymes ability to break chemical bonds
12. Demonstrate how energy is transformed into monomers then polymers then
monomers as it is transferred through the food chain
13. Defend the following statement; Plants that don’t get enough nitrogen will have
difficulty making new cells
Unit 3: Cells
1. Identify key historical scientists whose research gave rise to cell theory.
2. Explain the cell theory.
3. Name the basic cell structures.
4. Compare and contrast prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
5. Identify the main functions of cells.
6. Describe the functions of the ribosomes.
7. Describe the functions of the endoplasmic reticulum.
8. Describe the functions of the mitochondria.
9. Describe the functions of the chloroplast.
10. Compare and contrast plant and animal cells.
11. Describe what happens during diffusion.
12. Explain the process of osmosis, facilitated diffusion, and active transport and
movement of molecules in relation to the concentration gradient.
13. Identify the organization levels in multicellular organisms.
14. Describe the process of cellular respiration. (aerobic and anaerobic)
15. Explain process of photosynthesis in the production of energy storage molecules.
16. Compare how the process of cellular respiration is similar to the burning of fossil
fuels.
17. Name the two main types of fermentation.
18. Compare photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
19. Explain the problems that growth causes for cells.
20. Describe how mitosis (cell division) solves problems of cell growth.
21. Compare mitosis in plants and animals.
22. Explain how cancer cells are different from other cells.
Unit 4: DNA
1. Identify key historical scientists whose research gave rise to understanding DNA.
2. Describe the overall structure of the DNA monomer and molecule.
3. Relate DNA molecule to gene and chromosome structure.
4. Summarize the events in DNA replication.
5. Explain the relation ship between DNA, codons, amino acids, and proteins.
6. Discuss differences between mRNA decoder wheel and chart.
7. Describe how RNA differs from DNA.
8. Compare and contrast structure of gene mutations and chromosomal mutations.
9. Explain how scientists manipulate DNA.
Unit 5: Genetics
1. Identify key historical scientists whose research gave rise to understanding
patterns of inheritance.
2. Describe how Mendel studied inheritance in peas and his mathematical model.
3. Summarize Mendel's conclusions about inheritance.
4. Explain the principles of dominance.
5. Explain how geneticists use principles of probability.
6. Describe how geneticists use Punnett squares.
7. Compare simple dominance, co dominance, and incomplete dominance.
8. Explain how Mendel's principles apply to all organisms.
9. Contrast the chromosome number in body cells and gametes.
10. Summarize the events of meiosis.
11. Contrast meiosis and mitosis.
12. Illustrate how nondisjuction forms chromosomal mutations.
13. Discuss how a mutation can cause a change in the phenotype.
14. Contrast structure and results of gene mutations and chromosomal mutations.
15. Identify the types of human chromosomes in a karyotype.
16. Explain how sex is determined.
17. Identify gene and chromosomal abnormalities in humans.
18. Define the relationship between protein and a trait.
19. Explain the purpose of selective breeding.
20. Explain the two techniques used in selective breeding.
21. Identify 3 sources of genetic variety.
22. Explain why breeders try to induce variations.
23. Demonstrate how a pedigree shows patterns of inheritance autosomal and sexlinked
traits.
24. Compare patterns of sex-linked traits and autosomal traits.
25. Explain how scientists manipulate DNA.
26. Explain recombinant DNA technology.
27. Summarize the main steps of cloning.
Unit 6: Evolution
1. Identify key historical scientists whose research gave rise to understanding of
evolution.
2. Discuss 4 steps of evolution from Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural
selection.
3. Describe the pattern Darwin observed among organisms of the Galapagos Islands.
4. Describe how natural variation is used in artificial selection.
5. Differentiate between artificial selection and natural selection.
6. Explain how natural selection is related to species fitness.
7. Identify a type of organism whose species can evolve during your lifetime.
8. Differentiate between genetic adaptation and learning to adapt.
9. Identify evidence Darwin used to present his case for evolution.
10. Describe how the fossil record, comparative embryology, DNA analysis,
homologous structures and vestigial structures support the idea of descent from a
common ancestor.
11. Identify the main sources of inheritable variation in population.
12. Determine if a specific mutation is harmful or helpful.
13. Explain how natural selection affects single-gene and polygenic traits.
14. List five conditions needed to maintain genetic equilibrium.
15. Identify the conditions necessary for a new species to evolve.
16. Define 4 mechanisms that cause reproductive isolation.
17. Identify relationship between evolution and protein synthesis.
Unit 7: Ecology
1. Identify key historical scientists whose research gave rise to understanding of
ecology.
2. Identify the levels of organization that ecologists study.
3. Describe the methods used to study ecology.
4. Identify the source of energy for life processes.
5. Trace the flow of energy through living systems.
6. Evaluate the efficiency of energy transfer among organisms in an ecosystem.
7. Describe how matter cycles among the living and nonliving parts of a ecosystem.
8. Determine how the cycles of matter relate to the main elements of biochemistry.
9. Describe how the availability on nutrients affects the productivity of ecosystems.
10. Explain why nutrients are important in living systems.
11. Identify interactions within communities.
Assistance:
Any time you are unsure of the goals or how to complete an assignment come to tutorial.
My Tutorial takes place in D-106 from 7:30 – 7:53 (before homeroom). I am usually in
the room by 7:15 and you are welcome to join me to work quietly with biology friends or
work with me. I am in tutorial each morning except when I have hall duty or an
occasional meeting. I have hall duty on the following days;
Quarter 1 - Mondays downstairs D-Wing Quarter 2 – Mondays downstairs D-Wing