Biology Sample Tasks,* Unit Vocabulary** and Big Ideas***
Unit 1
Sample TaskWithin the science notebook, define science, and design a Venn diagram to distinguish between scientific hypotheses and scientific theories. / Vocabulary:
Scientific method
Hypothesis
Conclusion
Theory
Experiment
Technology
science / Big Ideas
Hypotheses are tentative and testable statements, while theories are well-established and highly reliable explanations.
ü Scientific theories are subject to change as new areas of science and new technologies are developed.
ü Some questions are outside the realm of science because they deal with phenomena that are not scientifically testable
Unit 2
Sample Task-Compare and contrast two ecosystems using a graphic organizer and in writing. Include the following:: Abiotic and biotic factors ,limiting factors that may affect carrying capacity, variations, tolerances, and adaptations of organisms that enable them to survive in the ecosystems, symbiotic relationships within the ecosystems.
-For two ecosystems, analyze and compare the flow of matter and/or energy using models such as various food chains, food webs, ecological pyramids, and the carbon and nitrogen cycles. Given an amount of energy for a particular trophic level, calculate the amount of energy in subsequent trophic levels using the 10% rule.
-Using various scenarios, analyze and describe the impact of environmental change on an ecosystem. Include the following information: ecosystem stability, disruption to the carbon and nitrogen cycles and the consequences, how food webs and relationships among organisms have changed. Additionally describe how ecological succession has, or might occur, and the effect this will have on populations and species diversity. / Vocabulary:
Food web
Food chain
Heterotoph
Autotroph
Ecosystem
Biomass
Biome
Community
Niche
Succession
Habitat
Population
Biosphere
Biological magnification
Carrying capacity
Limiting factors
Pyramid of energy
Symbiosis
competition / Big Ideas
Ecosystems have been shaped by geography, climate, and evolution to support a characteristic group of organisms that interact with one another
ü Matter and energy in ecosystems pass through food webs. At each trophic level in a food web, energy is used and lost to the environment.
ü Matter is recycled through systems and various cycles, such as the carbon and nitrogen cycles
ü Environmental change can impact ecosystem stability
ü Events and processes occurring during succession may eventually lead to a new, stable ecosystem
Unit 3
Sample Task-Construct a graphic organizer to compare structures and functions of different types of biomolecules, such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
-Conduct a scientific investigation on enzyme action. Complete a formal, written laboratory report for the investigation, which includes the role of enzymes in living organism. / Vocabulary:
Polymer
Monomer
Protein
Amino acid
Nucleic acid
Nucleotide
Lipid
Carbohydrate
Starch
Glucose
Glycogen
enzymes / Big Ideas
Organic compounds are biomolecules made and used by living organisms. The structure of biomolecules gives rise to their function
ü Enzymes are an example of an organic compound; they speed up reaction rates and are critical to metabolic processes within living organisms
ü Enzymes function best within a certain temperature range, salt concentration, and pH.
Unit 4
Sample task-Design a model of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and create a graphic organizer to compare and contrast these two types of cells.
-Examine specialized plant and animal cells, and predict and provide evidence for each cell’s general function based on its structure
-Using a model of a cell membrane, demonstrate examples of diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. For each example, explain the movement of molecules in terms of homeostasis. / Vocabulary:
Homeostasis
Cell membrane
Cell theory
Eukaryotic
Prokaryotic
Nucleus
Cytoplasm
Golgi complex
Mitochondria
Chloroplast
Diffusion
osmosis / Big Ideas
All living organisms are composed of prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, which contain structures that carry out specialized functions
ü Different substances move across the cell membrane by diffusion, osmosis, or active transport to maintain homeostasis
Unit 5
Sample Task- Compare and contrast photosynthesis and respiration by constructing an illustration comparing the energy and matter flow in both processes. Write a summary describing the illustration including a balanced chemical equation for both processes. / Vocabulary:
Photosynthesis
Cellular respiration
ATP
Mitochondria
Chloroplast
Glucose / Big Ideas
Some organisms are capable of converting light energy into chemical energy (glucose) through photosynthesis.
ü Organisms extract energy from glucose to produce ATP.
Unit 6
Sample Task- Label a model of DNA replication. Explain how DNA is replicated and the concept that the components that make up the genetic code are common to all organisms. Additionally, include a discussion of the limitations of the model.
-Create a model to illustrate each stage of the cell cycle. Describe in writing how the model illustrates each stage.
-Write a summary that includes the role of DNA replication in mitosis, the importance of the cell cycle to the growth of an organism, and how disruptions in the cell cycle might lead to disease / Vocabulary:
Cancer
Mitosis
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Cytokinesis
Asexual reproduction
Somatic cell
Chromosomes
Sister chromatids
Centrioles
DNA
Base pairing / Big Ideas
The cell cycle is important to the growth of organisms.
ü The cell cycle is important to the growth of organisms.
ü The specific pairing of DNA allows for self-replication
ü Components that make up the genetic code are common to all organisms.
Unit 7
Sample Task- Label a diagram illustrating the process of protein synthesis from a DNA sequence and ending with an amino acid sequence. Explain, in written or oral form, the purpose, all steps, and relevant cell structures involved in transcription and translation, including those involved in regulating gene expression
- Illustrate and describe various types of mutations, including point and frameshift, and evaluate the significance of these changes / Vocabulary
Central dogma
Translation
tRNA
protein synthesis
codon
rRNA
transcription
anticodons
mutation
point mutation
karyotype
pedigree chart
/ Big Ideas
☺ The structure of nucleic acids provides a mechanism to store and transmit genetic information.
☺Mutations may disrupt the genetic process
Unit 8
Sample Task-Calculate phenotypic and genotypic ratios of mono- and dihybrid crosses by completing Punnett squares. Predict the outcome of other crosses, such as sex-linked traits, incomplete dominance, and co-dominance. Write a summary of the calculations for each cross
-Create a brochure describing how various techniques are used to study the genomes of organisms. Include descriptions of the roles of DNA, RNA, and environmental factors in cell differentiation, and include a statement about gene expressions as a regulated process. / Vocabulary
Polypeptide
Gene expression
Genome
Cell differentiation
Gene expression
Protmoter
Amino acid
Repressor
Operons
Triplet
Cloning
Meiosis
Allele
Gene
Genotype
Phenotype
Punnett square
Dominant
Recessive
F1 generation
F2 generation
Heterozygous
Homozygous
Monohybrid cross
Dihybrid cross
Complete dominance
Incomplete dominance
Co-dominance
Sex-linked traits
Non-Mendelian inheritance
Law of segregation
Law of independent assortment
·
· / Big Ideas
☺Possible outcomes of genetic crosses can be predicted
☺Gene expression is a regulated process.
☺Gene expression regulates cell differentiation.
☺Recombinant DNA technology can be used to study organisms
Unit 9
Sample Task-“Natural selection is usually thought of as an agent of change in populations, but it can also act to maintain the status quo.” Create and present a media presentation analyzing and evaluating this statement. Include the range of responses of a population to changes in the environment, such as differential reproductive success, the adaptation and development of diversity in and among species, and change in populations.
-Choose a graphic organizer to organize and evaluate evolutionary phenomena that provide evidence of common ancestry among groups including fossil record, biogeography, homologies, and evolution on a cellular level. In addition, include examples of each form of evidence / Vocabulary:
Evolution
Natural selection
Genetic drift
Recombination
Artificial selection
Adaptation
Diversity
Gene flow
Mutation
Extinction
Geographic isolation
Behavioral isolation
Inherited variation
Selection advantage
Evolution
Ancestry
Fossil record
Homologies
Morphologies
Evidence
Stasis
Morphology
Punctuated equilibrium
Gradualism
endosymbiosis
· / Big Ideas
☺ Several lines of evidence support the theory of evolution
☺Natural selection produces change in populations, not individuals
☺Natural selection and other evolutionary mechanisms lead to the unity and diversity of life.
Unit 10
Sample Tasks-Use a dichotomous key to classify organisms from each kingdom based on similarities and differences.
-Complete a matrix to compare characteristics of each kingdom in the taxonomic system. / Vocabulary
Taxonomy
Hierarchy
Dichotomous key
Cladogram
Phylogenetic tree / Big Ideas
☺All living organisms are classified into various taxa according to similarities and differences.
☺All living organisms are classified into various taxa according to similarities and differences.
Unit 11
Sample Task-Create a model of a clinically relevant virus. Compare the structure of the virus to a cell. Describe in writing its genetics, reproductive cycle, mode of transmission, and effects on the host organism
-Write and illustrate a storybook explaining life from the perspective of a bacterium or protist. Include how it deals with changes in the environment and how the organism positively and negatively affects individuals and the environment. Additionally, include a labeled diagram of your bacterium or protist and information on its taxonomic groups. / Vocabulary:
Virus
Lytic cycle
Lysogenic cycle
Vaccine
Bacteria
Protist
Antibiotic resistance / Big Ideas
☺Viruses are not living, although viruses utilize and may ultimately destroy living organisms to reproduce their viral genetic material
☺Bacteria are the simplest organisms on Earth, yet carry out all essential functions of a life form. Bacteria play very important roles in maintaining and disrupting the health of both organisms and ecosystems
☺Protists are extremely varied and play a role in maintaining and disrupting the health of both organisms and ecosystems.
Unit 12
Sample Task-Create a drawing of a vascular plant with specialized structures labeled and their functions indicated. Write a detailed report on how the plant obtains water and nutrients and how it grows and reproduces. Include the type of environment in which this plant would live, and explain adaptations that allow for its survival
-Create a graphic organizer that describes the interactions among plant systems that perform the functions of transport, reproduction, and response in plants. / Vocabulary
Stem
Leaves
Root
Stoma
Guard cells
Xylem
Phloem
Vascular tissue
Germination
Style
Anther
Stamen
Pollen
Sepal
Petiole
dormancy / Big Ideas
☺Plants have specialized structures with specialized functions allowing them to be successful in diverse environments
☺Plants have developed reproductive adaptations allowing them to reproduce successfully in a variety of environments
Unit 13
Sample Tasks-Create a graphic organizer that describes interactions between the different body systems. Then, write a report explaining how these interactions maintain homeostasis in the organism / Vocabulary
Negative feedback loop
Positive feedback loop
Endocrine system
Muscular system
Digestive system
Cardiovascular system
Nervous system
Reproductive system
Excretory system
Integumentary system
Respiratory system
Muscular system / Big Ideas
☺Humans have dedicated body systems that, while composed of different organs with specific functions, are responsible for interacting and coordinating efforts to maintain homeostasis
Unit 14
Sample tasks-Design and implement an experimental investigation in Biology that includes the following:
· formulating a testable problem
· developing a hypothesis
· writing procedures
· selecting and using appropriate equipment
· collecting data
· communicating valid conclusions
Additionally, write and present a report that follows the design of the investigation and communicates results and conclusions / Vocabulary
Scientific inquiry
Hypothesis
Experimental design / Big Ideas
☺
Scientific investigations are driven by critical thinking through the process of scientific inquiry.
* These are examples of tasks you should be able to complete by the end of the unit
** These are not necessarily comprehensive –be familiar with all terms used throughout the unit
*** These are objectives students need to understand in order to meet the Sample Task