Biology Units
Resources by Topic
Semester units do not necessarily follow the sequence of the textbook. The Unit Titles below specify the topics covered in each semester, not the chapters in the textbook.
Semester 1
Semester 1
Tentative 2022-2023 Unit Sequence
Unit 1: The Biosphere and Global Systems
Topics: Biological Interactions, Scientific Experimentation, Characteristics of Life, Earth's EcosystemsTextbook: Chapter 1 - The BiosphereUnit 1: The Biosphere and Global Systems
Unit 2: Global Systems, Ecology Interactions and Energy
Topics: Population, Community and Ecosystem DynamicsTextbook: Chapter 2 - Populations, Chapter 22 - Communities and Ecosystem DynamicsUnit 2: Global Systems, Ecology Interactions and Energy
Unit 3: Ecosystem Ecology, and the History of the Earth's Atmosphere
Topics: Ecosystems, Photosynthesis, and RespirationTextbook: Chapter 3 - Ecosystems, Chapter 4 - Photosynthesis, Chapter 5 - Cellular RespirationUnit 3: Ecosystem Ecology, and the History of the Earth's Atmosphere
Unit 4: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
Topics: Evolution and The History of Life on Earth, Population GeneticsTextbook: Chapter 6 - Darwin's Theory of Evolution, Chapter 7 - Biodiversity and Classification, Chapter 8 - History of Life, Chapter 9 Animal Evolution, Diversity and BehaviorUnit 4: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
Unit 5: Biochemistry and Homeostasis
Properties of Water, Organic Macromolecules, Enzymes, Digestion Topics: Digestion, Circulation, Excretion and ResponseTextbook: Chapter 19 - Animal Systems I, Chapter 20 - Animal Systems II Topics: Human Body Systems (Immunity and Disease)Textbook: Chapter 21 - The Human BodyUnit 5: Biochemistry and Homeostasis
Unit 6: Cellular Structure and Function
Unit 6: Cellular Structure and Function
Semester 2
Semester 2
Tentative 2022-2023 Unit Sequence
Unit 7: Cellular Reproduction
Topics: Mitosis, Meiosis and Human Reproductive SystemsTextbook: Chapter 17 - Cell Growth and Division, Chapter 10 - Introduction to Genetics, Chapter 20 - Animal Systems IIUnit 7: Cellular Reproduction
Unit 8: Inheritance of Traits
Topics: Mendel's Laws and Patterns of InheritanceTextbook: Chapter 10 - Introduction to Genetics, Chapter - 13Unit 8: Inheritance of Traits
Unit 9: Molecular Biology
Topics: DNA, RNA, Protein Synthesis and Genetic MutationsTextbook: Chapter 11 - DNA, Chapter 12 - RNA and Protein Synthesis, Unit 9: Molecular Biology
Unit 10: Biotechnology
Topics: Genomics, Genetic Engineering and the Ethics of BiotechnologyTextbook: Chapter 14 - The Human Genome, Chapter 15 - BiotechnologyUnit 10: Biotechnology
Unit 11: Humans and Global Change
Topics: Threats to Biodiversity, Climate Change and Human ImpactsTextbook: Chapter 23 - Humans and Global ChangeUnit 11: Humans and Global Change
Pre NGSS sequence
Pre NGSS sequence
Scientific Experimentation, Characteristics of Life, Feedback Systems & Homeostasis
Properties of Water, Organic Macromolecules, Enzymes, Digestion
Cell Organelles, Transport and Communication
Human Body Systems (Nervous, Support, Circulatory and Immune)
Unit 5: Cellular Reproduction
Mitosis, Meiosis and Human Reproductive SystemsUnit 5: Cellular Reproduction
Unit 6: Molecular Biology
DNA, RNA, Protein Synthesis and Genetic MutationsUnit 6: Molecular Biology
Unit 7: Biotechnology
Viral Genetics, Bacterial Structure and Function, and Genetic TechnologyUnit 7: Biotechnology
Unit 8: Genetics and Patterns of Inheritance
Mendel's Laws and Patterns of InheritanceUnit 8: Genetics and Patterns of Inheritance
Unit 9: Evolution
The Origin of Life of on Earth and Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural SelectionUnit 9: Evolution
Unit 10: Ecological Foundations
Flow of Energy and Cycling of MatterUnit 10: Ecological Foundations
Unit 11: Population Ecology
Population Growth Models and Sampling MethodsUnit 11: Population Ecology
Unit 12: Community and Ecosystem Ecology
Biomes and Succession Unit 12: Community and Ecosystem Ecology
Unit 13: Human Impacts
Threats to Biodiversity, Conservation, Climate Change and Ecological FootprintsUnit 13: Human Impacts