COMMON COURSE SYLLABUS ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
BIOLOGY
Common Core Assessment Syllabus
First Quarter Topics:
Topic 1: Biochemistry 3.1(no standard, basic overview of importance of water only), 3.2, 3.3
Topic 2: Circulation and Digestion- 47.1(basic functions of heart and blood vessels only- especially capillaries) 49.1, 49.2 (basic nutrients and digestive system structures and functions; relate to major organic molecules from Topic 1)
Topic 3 Cell Structure and Function 4.1,4.2, 4.3
Topic 4: Cell Transport 5.1, 5.2 (Relate again to digestion, particularly nutrient absorption)
Quarterly Common Exam
Second Quarter Topics:
Topic 1: Photosynthesis 6.1, 6.2 Basic summary of purposes of the light reactions and Calvin Cycle; skip alternative pathways
Topic 2: Respiratory System 47.3 Basic structures and functions only- relate to cell transport and circulatory system for gas exchange
Topic 3: Cellular Respiration 7.1, 7.2 Basic summary of the three stages of aerobic respiration and fermentation (relate to circulatory and respiratory systems and cell transport)
Topic 4: Cell Division: Chromosomes, Cell Cycle, Mitosis 8.1, 8.2
Midterm Common Exam
Third Quarter Topics:
Topic 1: Cell Division and Sexual Reproduction: Meiosis 8.3
Topic 2: Fundamental Genetics: Mendel’s Experiments and Genetic Crosses 9.1, 9.2 (Relate to meiosis and reproduction)
Topic 3: Inheritance Patterns and Human Genetics: 12.1, 12.2 (Relate to meiosis and reproduction)
Topic 4: DNA Replication, Transcription, and Translation 10.1, 10.2, 10.3
Quarterly Common Exam
Fourth Quarter Topics:
Topic 1: Evolution of Populations and Speciation 16.1, 16.2, 16.3
Topic 2: The Immune System 48.1, 48.2 (Relate to cell structure, circulatory system)
Topic 3: The Endocrine System- Refer to Ch. 51 basic function, define hormone, define gland, provide a few examples (Relate to circulatory system)
Topic 4: The Nervous Systems- basic structures and their functions, function of a nerve impulse
Topic 5: Review Species Interactions 21.1 and Energy Transfer/Food Webs 22.1 (Must do this before MCAS- might consider doing ahead of organ systems if necessary)
Final Common Exam
Common Grading Parameters
COURSE SYLLABUS BY QUARTER
10TH GRADE BIOLOGY I
Updated MAY, 2009
Prerequisites: Life Science
Student Prior Knowledge: General science terminology and theories, basic principles of
chemistry and cytology.
Text: Holt, Rinehart, Winston, Modern Biology, New York, 2002.
Required Materials: Text, metric ruler, colored pencils, binder.
Course Outline- First Quarter Topics:
1. Biochemistry: organic molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins,
nucleic acids.
2. Cell Biology: cell structure and function, prokaryotic and eukaryotic principles.
3. Cell Transport: cell membranes and their roles as selective barriers.
Student Objectives:
Topic 1
* Describe the structure of a water molecule.
* Explain the polar nature of water and its dissolving ability.
* List the properties of water resulting from hydrogen bonding
* Define organic compounds and name the six elements common in organic
compounds.
* Explain the presence of carbon in many compounds.
* Define functional group and its significance.
* Define reaction and identify the reactants and products in chemical
equations.
* Compare a condensation reaction with hydrolysis.
* List four major types of organic molecules.
* Describe the basic molecular structure and function of carbohydrates,
lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.
Topic 2
* State the cell theory.
* Explain the limiting factor of cell size.
* Describe the relationship between cell shape and function.
* Distinguish between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
* Describe the structure, function, composition of the cell membrane.
* Name and describe the function of major organelles in eukaryotic cells.
* Describe the functional relationships between organelles.
* Describe the structure and function of the nucleus.
* Describe the relationship between chloroplasts and mitochondria.
* Describe the three additional structures found in plant cells.
* Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and aerobic respiration.
* Distinguish between tissues, organs, and organ systems.
* Describe the features of a colonial organism.
Topic 3
* Distinguish between passive and active transport.
* List types and examples of active, passive transport.
* Explain how equilibrium is established by diffusion.
* Distinguish between diffusion and osmosis.
* Explain how substances move through the cell membrane.
* Explain how ion channels assist ion diffusion through the cell membrane.
* Describe the Na-K pump.
* Compare and contrast endocytosis and exocytosis.
Resources:
* Text: chapters 3, 4, 5.
* Lecture notes, including PPt: properties of water, carbon compounds,
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, cell notes, cell overview, tour of
the cell, cell websites, cell organelles, cell videos.
Class Activities/Projects/Labs:
* Organic molecule concept map, food chemistry lab., organic molecule
construction, cell web quest, cell analogy collage, cell model, microscope lab.
Assessment/Grading:
* Tests, quizzes, projects, homework, class work, labs., Collins Paper.
Course Outline- Second Quarter Topics:
1. Cell Biology: photosynthesis, cell respiration, mitosis, meiosis.
Student Objectives:
* Explain the purpose of photosynthesis.
* Identify reactants and products of photosynthesis.
* Explain the role of chloroplasts in photosynthesis.
* Describe the role of chlorophylls and related pigments in photosynthesis.
* Explain the energy flow through photosynthesis processes, including
reactants and products in reaction stages.
* Summarize adaptations of C3, C4, and CAM plants.
* Explain how environmental factors influence photosynthesis.
* Explain the purpose of cellular respiration.
* List the reactants and products of cellular respiration.
* Describe the structure of ATP and its energy transfer role.
* Describe the major events in glycolysis and its location.
* Distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
* List the steps and amount of ATP produced in aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
* Compare and contrast lactic acid fermentation and alcoholic respiration.
* Identify the role of mitochondria in aerobic respiration.
* Explain endosymbiotic theory of evolution in relation to multiple pathways
for respiration.
* Describe each phase of the cell cycle.
* Describe the structure of a chromosome.
* Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes.
* Explain the differences between sex chromosomes and autosomes.
* Give examples of diploid and haploid cells.
* Describe the events of binary fission.
* Describe the purpose of mitosis and the cell changes.
* Summarize the phases of mitosis.
* Compare cytokinesis in animal cells and plant cells.
* Describe the purpose of meiosis and identify cells that undergo this process.
* List and describe the phases of meiosis.
* Compare the end products of mitosis and meiosis.
* Explain crossing-over and how it contributes to the production of unique individuals.
* Compare and contrast the results of spermatogenesis and oogenesis.
Resources:
* Text: chapters 6, 7, 8.
* Lecture notes, including PPt.: structure of chloroplasts, photosynthesis
overview, photosynthesis web sites, animal cell mitosis, plant cell mitosis.
Class Activities/Projects/Labs:
* MB Chromatography, mitosis and meiosis drawings, computer lab.
Assessment/Grading:
* Tests, quizzes, projects, homework, class work, labs., Collins Paper.
Course Outline- Third Quarter Topics:
1. Genetics: the structure of DNA and RNA, replication, transcription, translation,
Mutations, inheritance patterns, Mendel’s Law’s, Punnett Squares.
Student Objectives:
* Explain the principal function of DNA.
* Describe the structure of DNA.
* Explain the role of complementary base pairing in DNA replication.
* Explain the main process of DNA replication.
* Explain the primary function of RNA.
* Compare DNA and RNA structure.
* Describe the structure and function of each RNA type.
* Explain the process of transcription.
* Describe the genetic code.
* Distinguish between a codon, an anticodon, and their location.
* Explain the roles of the start and stop codons.
* Explain the process of translation.
* Explain the role of sex chromosomes in sex determination.
* Determine the affect of sex linkage on trait inheritance.
* Explain the effect of crossing-over on inheritance of genes
in linkage groups.
* Distinguish between chromosome and gene mutations.
* Define pedigree.
* Show how pedigree analysis can illustrate trait inheritance.
* Explain the inheritance of ABO blood groups.
* Give examples of disorders, traits transmitted by autosomal dominant,
recessive, polygenic and X-linked recessive inheritance.
* Compare sex-linked traits with sex-influenced traits.
* Explain how nondisjunction can cause human genetic disorders.
* Describe Mendel’s garden peas experiments.
* Define: allele/gene, incomplete dominance/ codominance, heterozygous/
homozygous, phenotype/genotype.
* Distinguish between dominant and recessive traits.
* State heredity laws that came out of Mendel’s work.
* Explain how probability is used to predict genetic cross results.
* Use a Punnett square to predict monohybrid and dihybrid genetic crosses.
* Explain how a testcross is used to show the genotype of an individual whose
phenotype is dominant.
* Explain how Mendel’s laws can be demonstrated with Punnett squares.
2. Evolution and Biodiversity: populations and speciation, natural selection.
* Define population genetics, gene pool, allele frequency.
* Explain causes of population variations.
* List conditions of genetic equilibrium.
* Explain conditions that can cause evolution.
* Contrast stabilizing, directional, and disruptive selection on variations.
* Give an example of sexual selection.
* Explain the difference between the morphological and biological concept of
species.
* Explain how geographic and reproductive isolation can lead to speciation.
* Summarize, compare punctuated equilibrium and the gradual change hypotheses.
Resources:
* Text: chapters 9, 10, 12, 16. genetic web sites, films.
Class Activities/Project/Labs:
* MB Labs C12, 13, 14, E5, modeling genetics, nucleic acids Ppt., MB Lab C15,
MB Lab B9.
Assessment/Grading:
* Tests, quizzes, projects, homework, class work, labs., Collins Paper.
Course Outline- Fourth Quarter Topics:
1. Human Anatomy and Physiology.
Student Objectives:
* Identify and describe the major structures and functions of human body systems.
* Explain how organ systems work together in maintaining homeostasis,
including the role of feedback loops.
2. MCAS Review.
Student Objectives:
* Review all of the topics studied this academic year.
Resources:
* Text: chapters 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 (as they relate to standards).
* Lecture notes, including Ppt.presentations, body system publications, videos.
Class Activities/ Projects/ Labs:
* BioEd Body Systems Ppt., Human Body Brochure
Assessment/Grading:
* Tests, quizzes, projects, homework, class work, labs., Collins Paper,
MCAS Biology test.