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Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
Unit Description
In this unit, the essential elements, chemical symbolism, how materials move into and within cells, and the chemical energy processes of photosynthesis, aerobic respiration, and fermentation (anaerobic respiration) will be explored.
Student Understandings
Living organisms are composed of various chemicals. A basic knowledge of chemical elements, symbols, formulas, equations, and energy processes is essential for appreciating and comprehending life. Students should be able to describe the transport processes of osmosis and diffusion and predict the direction water will move between cells in different concentrations of solutions. Students should also explain how the functions and processes of photosynthesis and aerobic respiration relate to each other and differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Guiding Questions
1. Can students list the elements essential for life?
2. Can students describe the difference between osmosis and diffusion?
3. Can students describe the functions of photosynthesis and respiration, the reactants and products of each, and the relationship between these processes?
4. Can students cite what plants need in their environment to carry out photosynthesis and, ultimately, to live?
5. Can students explain the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?
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Unit 2: Plant and Animal Cells
Unit Description
This unit focuses on comparing the basic structures and functions of different types of cells, with an emphasis on comparing the cell structures of plants and animals.
Student Understandings
A basic knowledge of cellular structure and function is essential to the understanding of both plant and animal cells. Students are expected to effectively use a compound microscope to view cells. They will create presentations on the development of the modern cell theory, identify basic cell structures, and describe their functions in both plant and animal cells.
Guiding Questions
1. Can students explain why cells are called life’s building blocks?
2. Can students describe the cell as a three-dimensional object?
3. Can students compare and contrast a plant cell and an animal cell?
4. Can students locate and describe the function of cell organelles within the cell?
Unit 3: Living Organisms
Unit 4: Ecology
Unit 5: Balance within Ecosystems
Unit 6: Reproduction and Heredity
Unit 7: Health and Diseases
Unit 8: Food Webs and Cycles