James Island Charter High School
Pre IB/Honors Biology is divided into 10 units each of which lasts between two and four weeks. Together, these units will provide an overview of biology topics and prepare the student for further study in upper level courses. Adjustments may be made during the semester due to testing, school closings, etc. or to facilitate presentation of material. We will basically follow the sequence below for the presentation of these units.
Sequence of Topics:
Unit/Name
|
Topics |
| Unit 1 Biology as a Science | Scientific Method, Data Collection, Data Manipulation, Science Tools, Measuring under the Microscope, Science Skills, Disciplines of Biology, Characteristics of Life, Biology Careers |
| Unit 2 Ecology/Cycles/Energy | Levels of Organization, Population Dynamics, Effects of Human Overpopulation, The Ecosystem, Symbiosis, Population Curves, Feeding Relationships, Food webs, Global Ecological problems. |
| Unit 3 The Chemistry of Biology | Basic structure of matter, Organic molecules [structure, function, sources], basic nutrition, The Digestive System Anatomy/Physiology, hormonal regulation of digestion. |
Unit 4 The Cell and Unicellular Organisms |
Cell Biology, Organelles, Differences in cells of different organisms, Mitosis, Cell Specialization, Prokaryotes, Protozoans, Algae, Infectious Disease |
| Unit 5 Cell Processes | Diffusion, Osmosis, Cell Membrane transport, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration |
| Unit 6 DNA Structure and Function | DNA Structure, RNA Structure, DNA replication, Protein Synthesis |
| Unit 7 Heredity | Meiosis, Mendelian Genetics, Dominant/Recessive, Codominance, Incomplete Dominance, Sex-Linkage, Multiple Allele, Sex-influenced genes, Genetic sources of variation, Mutations, Genetic Diseases |
Unit 8 Evolution and Classification Survey of Organisms |
Early evolution theory, Darwin, Lamarck, etc., Evidence for Evolution, Patterns in evolution, Adaptation, Genetic Basis of Evolution, Survey of Organisms, Taxonomy |
| Unit 9 Behavior and the Human Nervous System | Behavior, behavior controls, the brain, the human nervous system, sensation |
| Unit 10 Diversity | Survey of living organisms |