Biology

Each unit below is taught for approximately five to twenty days.

SOLs: BIO.3b, BIO.4a, b, c, d, e, f

Life at the Systems and Organisms Level

• Life functions of archaea, bacteria, and eukarya
• Characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• Comparison of metabolic activities
• Viruses
• Germ theory of infectious disease

SOLs: BIO.1a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m

Scientific Investigation

• Lab safety and equipment
• Scientific method
• Graphing and arithmetic calculations
• Validity of experiment and sources of error
• Appropriate technology and current applications
• Differentiate hypothesis, theory, and law

SOLs: BIO.2a, b, c and BIO.4b

Life at the Molecular and Cellular Level

• Water chemistry
• Structure and function of macromolecules
• Nature of enzymes

SOLs: BIO.3a, b, c, d, e - BIO.4b, e, f - BIO.5c

Life a the Molecular and Cellular Level

• Microscopes
• Cell theory
• Cell structure and function
• Cell transport

SOLs: BIO.2d

Life at the Molecular and Cellular Level

• Photosynthesis
• Cellular respiration
• Fermentation

SOLs: BIO.5a, b

Life at the Molecular and Cellular Level

• Cell cycle
• Mitosis
• Meiosis

SOLs: BIO.5e, f, g, h, i, j

Life at the Molecular and Cellular Level

• Structure of DNA
• DNA replication
• Structure of RNA
• Protein synthesis

SOLs: BIO.5a, b, c, e, f

Life at the Molecular and Cellular Level

• Introductions to genetics
• Human heredity
• Genetic engineering

SOLs: BIO.6a, b, c, d, e - BIO.7a, b, c, d, e

Interaction of Life Forms

• Natural selection and adaptations
• Fossil record, comparison of developmental stages, biochemical similarities
• Emergence of a new species
• Survival of populations
• Scientific evidence of biological evolution

SOLs: BIO.8a, b, c, d, e

Interaction of Life Forms

• Interactions among populations
• Cycles
• Succession
• Natural events and human activities
• Ecosystems and communities
• Flora and fauna and microorganisms