Biology 1 Learning Targets
Unit 1: Biological Processes
Be able to distinguish between living organisms & nonliving objects. Describe how organisms are diverse & unified along with how they are interdependent. Utilize the scientific method & proper laboratory tools & techniques to design & implement an experiment on a real-world research question.
Unit 2: Cells
Be able to explain how the structure of water affects its properties. Describe how functional groups determine the properties of organic molecules. Distinguish between carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Describe the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell parts. Distinguish between passive and active forms of transport. Summarize the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Explain how diploid and haploid cells divide.
Unit 3: Heredity
Be able to compare the structure of DNA and RNA. Summarize the process of DNA replication. Describe the flow of genetic information in cells from DNA to protein. Describe the results of Mendel’s pea plant experiment. Use a Punnett square to determine genotypic and phenotypic ratios. Analyze pedigrees to determine different patterns of inheritance of genetic traits and disorders.
Unit 4: Evolution
Be able to compare the principle of biogenesis with the idea of spontaneous generation. Summarize the importance of cell-like structures produced in the laboratory. Compare and contrast Darwin and Lamarck’s theories of evolution. Explain how the anatomy and development of organisms provide evidence of shared ancestry. Distinguish between convergent and divergent patterns of evolution. Explain effects of disrupting Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium. Describe how the isolation of populations can lead to speciation.
Unit 5: Diversity & Interdependence of Life
Be able to explain why taxonomic systems of classification continue to change. Describe an example showing the effects of interdependence upon organisms in their environment. Compare the exponential and logistic model of population growth. Distinguish between the five major types of species interactions. Discuss the value of biodiversity.