AP Biology Unit 3

Big Idea:

Student Expectations:

Main Ideas

Big Idea 2: Energy - Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis

Big Idea 4: System - Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

Enduring Understanding

2.A - Growth, reproduction and maintenance of the organization of living systems require free energy and matter

4.A: Interactions within biological systems lead to complex properties.

4.C: Naturally occurring diversity among and between components within biological systems affects interactions with the environment.

Essential Knowledge

2.A.3 - Organisms must exchange matter with the environment to grow, reproduce and maintain organization

4.A.2 - The structure and function of subcellular components, and their interactions, provide essential cellular processes.

4.A.3 - Interactions between external stimuli and regulated gene expression result in specialization of cells, tissues and organs.

4.C.1: Variation in molecular units provides cells with a wider range of functions.

Student Learning Targets:

A Tour of the Cell

• The differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• The structure and function of organelles common to plant and animal cells.
• The structure and function of organelles found only in plant cells or only in animal cells.

Membrane Structure and Function

• Why membranes are selectively permeable.
• The role of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates in membranes.
• How water will move if a cell is placed in an isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic solution.
• How electrochemical gradients are formed.

Essential Questions:

• What is the differences between a prokaryotic cell & a eukaryotic cell?
• What are the essential organelles within both an animal cell & a plant cell?
• What is the role of the cell membrane?
• What is the purpose of the cell wall in both plants & prokaryotes?
• What is homeostasis and what regulates it?

Extra Information:

Adopted Textbook:

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