Unit A - Biological Diversity

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the relative abundance of species on Earth and in different environments

• Describe examples of variation among species and within species Biological diversity is reflected in the variety of life on Earth.

• Explain the role variation plays in survival

• Identify examples of niches and describe how closely related living things can survive in the same ecosystem 

• Explain how the survival of one species may be dependent on another species

• Identify examples of natural selection 

Learning Outcomes:

• Distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction and describe examples of each type of reproduction

• Describe types of variations found within a species and determine whether they are discrete or continuous 

• Distinguish between heritable and non-heritable characteristics

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the relationship among chromosomes, genes, and DNA, and their role in storing genetic information

• Distinguish between cell division during asexual reproduction and cell division during sexual reproduction

• Investigate the transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring, and identify examples of different patterns of inheritance

• Identify examples of dominant and recessive characteristics

Learning Outcomes:

• Distinguish between artificial and natural selection

• Describe the effects of extinction and extirpation on biological diversity

• Evaluate the success and limitations of local and global strategies in minimizing loss of species diversity

• Describe new technologies for recombining genetic material

• Describe the use of biotechnology in various fields