Global distribution of ecosystems and biomes Sample Labs and Activities: Primary productivity lab with algae to explore the connection between energy input and dissolved oxygen levels (Supports Big Idea 4; SP 2, 3, 4, 5) Terrestrial ecology lab (field biology: sample collection and documentation) (SP 3, 4, 5) Trashing the Town project: plastics in the environment, biological effects of plastics, and the ethics of the disposable lifestyle (SP 1, 3, 6, 7) (supports Learning Objective 4.21 The student is able to predict consequences of human actions on both local and global ecosystems, Essential Knowledge 4.B.3 Interactions between and within populations influence patterns of species distribution and abundance) Unit 3: Information Transfer and Gene Expression Summary: This section of the course will help students to understand and apply the important concepts of modern molecular biology and genetics. Major topics include the roles of DNA and RNA in the transfer of information, the regulation of gene expression by environmental signals, mechanisms of cellular reproduction, and the principles of genetics. Connects Big Ideas 1, 2, 3, and 4 Example connection: Students will connect Enduring Understanding 3.B (Expression of genetic information involves cellular and molecular mechanisms) to Enduring Understanding 4.C (Naturally occurring diversity among and between components within biological systems affects interactions with the environment) by transforming bacterial cells with new molecular instructions that will only be turned on in the presence of certain environmental signals. Enduring understandings: 1.A Change in the genetic makeup of a population over time is evolution. 2.C Organisms use feedback mechanisms to regulate growth and reproduction and to maintain dynamic homeostasis. 2.E Many biological processes involved in growth, reproduction, and dynamic homeostasis include temporal regulation and coordination. 3.A Heritable information provides for continuity of life. 3.B Expression of genetic information involves cellular and molecular mechanisms. 3.C The processing of genetic information is imperfect and is a source of genetic variation. 3.D Cells communicate by generating, transmitting, and receiving chemical signals.
Global distribution of ecosystems and biomes Sample Labs and Activities: Primary productivity lab with algae to explore the connection between energy input and dissolved oxygen levels (Supports Big Idea 4; SP 2, 3, 4, 5) Terrestrial ecology lab (field biology: sample collection and documentation) (SP 3, 4, 5) Trashing the Town project: plastics in the environment, biological effects of plastics, and the ethics of the disposable lifestyle (SP 1, 3, 6, 7) (supports Learning Objective 4.21 The student is able to predict consequences of human actions on both local and global ecosystems, Essential Knowledge 4.B.3 Interactions between and within populations influence patterns of species distribution and abundance) Unit 3: Information Transfer and Gene Expression Summary: This section of the course will help students to understand and apply the important concepts of modern molecular biology and genetics. Major topics include the roles of DNA and RNA in the transfer of information, the regulation of gene expression by environmental signals, mechanisms of cellular reproduction, and the principles of genetics. Connects Big Ideas 1, 2, 3, and 4 Example connection: Students will connect Enduring Understanding 3.B (Expression of genetic information involves cellular and molecular mechanisms) to Enduring Understanding 4.C (Naturally occurring diversity among and between components within biological systems affects interactions with the environment) by transforming bacterial cells with new molecular instructions that will only be turned on in the presence of certain environmental signals. Enduring understandings: 1.A Change in the genetic makeup of a population over time is evolution. 2.C Organisms use feedback mechanisms to regulate growth and reproduction and to maintain dynamic homeostasis. 2.E Many biological processes involved in growth, reproduction, and dynamic homeostasis include temporal regulation and coordination. 3.A Heritable information provides for continuity of life. 3.B Expression of genetic information involves cellular and molecular mechanisms. 3.C The processing of genetic information is imperfect and is a source of genetic variation. 3.D Cells communicate by generating, transmitting, and receiving chemical signals.
2014-2015%20AP%20%20syllabus.docx