Unit 9 -- Water and the Chemistry of Life

Although we learned that of all the nutrient cycles, the water cycle does not need living organisms to operate, the reverse is NOT true. Among other things, every living organism needs water to conduct the myriad of chemical reactions that allow it to sustain itself, gro, reproduce and maintain homeostasis. So, as we continue our study of biology, we will take a closer look at the contributions water makes toward the life process.

SB1d. Explain the impact of water on life processes, especially diffusion and osmosis.

Instruction will be a combination direct instruction, at least one worksheet, and a lab. You will write a short lab report on the results of the lab activity.

Specific Assignments:

Assignment 1: Mini-lecture: Water, Diffusion, and Osmosis. Listen carefully. Take notes, especially pay attention to diagrams.

Here is the video version of this lecture:


Assignment 2: Osmosis Lab: Complete the diffusion/osmosis lab. (we will do this together as a class), then write a lab report on what we did and observed.

Assignment 3: Mini-lecture: Importance of Water in maintaining Homeostasis. Take notes.

Take a look at this video that explains more about homeostasis. Click here to view lesson.

Assignment 4: Passive vs. Active Transport - mini lecture.

Here is the video version of this lecture:


Quiz: Water and the Chemistry of life.

Unit 1 -- Introduction to Biology

Biology is the study of Living Things. We will begin our study of Biology by becoming familiar with many of the branches or scientific disciplines that make up the field of Biology. In the process, you will be introduced to Greek and Latin "root words" that make up all biological terms. Next, we will learn about the specific set of characteristics displayed by all living things. We will conclude our introduction to biology by comparing the characteristics of living organisms to those of a virus, which is considered by scientists to be a non-living entity.

SCSh8f. Science disciplines and traditions differ from one another in what is studied, techniques used, and outcomes sought.

SB3d. Compare and contrast viruses with living organisms.

Assignment 1: Examine the table describing areas of study within the field of Biology (Click here to see table). Make flash cards for each discipline with the name of the discipline on one side and the description of the discipline on the reverse side. With a partner (of your choosing), use the flash cards to study for a quiz in which you must match each discipline with its proper description.

Quiz: A (paper) quiz on scientific disciplines.

Assignment 2: Obtain a list of 190 Root Words for Biology from your instructor (click here to see list. Use this list of words to help you define the terms on the Biological Terms worksheet (click here to see worksheet). Afterwords, review your choices with your instructor.

Assignment 3: Watch the video below on "The Characteristics of Living Things." Take notes. Your goal is to write down, study, and learn the various characteristic displayed by all living organisms.




Click here to view another video lesson on the Characteristics of Living Things.

Assignment 4: Viruses: power point presentation. Take notes and participate in class discussion that follows. Click here to access power point.

The following videos entitled "The Viral Lytic Cycle" and "Flu Virus" illustrate how viruses can replicate (reproduce) even though they are considered to be non-living.






Quiz: Introduction to Biology. Quiz (paper) will ask you to identify and define various biological disciplines and terms as well as recognize the characteristics of all living things. In addition, be able to explain why scientists do not consider a virus to be a living organism.

Course Syllabus

Course Overview

In this course you will cover many topics dealing with Biology, the study of living things. Class instruction will be guided by Georgia Performance Standards for Biology. The topics covered in the course will also prepare you for the mandatory End-of-Course Test (EOCT) which will be administered at the end of the course.

The topics we will study include:

Scientific Disciplines

Acquisition of Knowledge (the Scientific Method)

Metrics and Measurements

Accuracy vs Precision

Writing a Lab Report

Presenting Data

Chemistry for Life

Basic chemistry

Water

Macromolecules and enzymes

Photosynthesis and Respiration

Cell Structure and Function

Cell Division

Asexual vs Sexual Reproduction

Structure of DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis
Genes and Heredity

Mutations and Genetic Disorders

Biotechnology

Evolution and Natural Selection

Taxonomy (an evolutionary basis, evolution of plants and animals)

Environment

Populations

Food Chains and Energy Flow

Biomes

Relationships among Organisms

Ecological Succession

Man in the Biosphere

Instruction will be a combination of computer lessons (NovaNet, and internet), instructional videos, mini-lectures, worksheets and class discussions. Instruction will be accompanied by appropriate tests and quizzes. In addition you will complete several projects and be required to keep a journal. A pacing guide of daily and weekly assignments will be provided through a Blog format. By using this format, you will always be able to access and read your assignments from any computer with an internet connection, in school or out. You will also be able to post (turn in) completed assignments on the blog for your instructor to comment on or grade. This is the first term we are using the blog format in Biology, so it might take a little time to get use to it. I’m sure we will find some glitches in the process, but, in the end, it should allow you to complete your work faster.

Grading

Lesson based tests and quizzes 50%

Projects 20%

Journal 15%

EOCT 15%

Test and Quizzes – this portion of your grade will be the average of all test and quiz grades earned throughout the course. Remember, that in order to get credit for a NovaNet test, you must earn a score of 80 or above. If you earn less than an 80, you must review the subject material and retake the test. You will not be able to retake paper tests and quizzes.

Projects: the project grade will be the average grade for all the projects listed in your weekly pacing guide.

Scientific Journal: A written journal will be kept in a composition notebook. Each day you will make entries into the journal. Details of what goes into the journal will be discussed in class. Your journal will be checked periodically throughout the course and graded every 3 weeks. You grade will be the average of the resulting four grades.

EOCT: This is a computer-based state exam. It will be given near the end of the course and will also be averaged into your final grade.

Essential classroom materials:

pencils
pens
notebooks(2) – three ring binder with pockets for notes and note cards and a composition book as a journal.

User Agreement

Using a weblog for our classwork will require some parameters for your safety and the quality of everyone's work. First, you should recognize that your work, as well as mine will be published for the entire on-line world to see. This will ultimately make us all responsible for better and more original output than ever before. By visiting other students' weblogs, you will be able to view all their work, and it will also make it easy for me to see who is not making an effort to submit work that is original. Once you create your own weblog for this class, I will add it to the class blog roll so everyone's work can be accessed from this page. I encourage you to look at your peers' work for ideas or inspiration, but what you submit must be your own.

I will leave comments about your work. These comments will usually instruct you on how you can improve your work. Please make sure you check your comments and your e-mail regularly, and make sure you are finished with one assignment before moving to the next.

Since this weblog will be part of your education at Classic City High School, any activity on your weblog should be considered school activity, even if it is done outside of school. You should feel free to create posts that are not school related, but you should also be sure to refrain from anything that could be considered inappropriate. This includes, but is not limited to: references to alcohol or drugs, violence, or gang activity, foul language, nudity, threats, etc.

Plagiarism is submitting someone else's work as your own. This can be done in many ways: copying work from Wikipedia, classmates, Sparknotes, etc. If you plagiarize your work, you will receive a zero -- no questions asked.

THE USER AGREEMENT:

1. I agree to submit original work to my weblog. I realize I will have the opportunity to view my peers' work, and I will use this opportunity constructively. I understand that if I choose to plagiarize, I will receive a zero for the work in question.

2. I agree to keep my weblog appropriate for Classic City High School. I understand that if innapropriate material were to appear on my weblog, be it from myself or an outside comment, I will be asked to remove it. Failure to do so will result in my weblog being removed from the class roll. I also understand that refereneces to illegal or dangerous activities will be reported since it is the legal responsibility of my teacher.

To agree, post a comment to this message like this: I agree to Dr. Maudsley's Weblog User Agreement. I will not add your weblog to the class roll until I receive your message.

Rules and Expectations

General Rules and Expectations

The bottom line is -- you're here to learn. I'm here to help you. It's not hard. If you show up for class (on time), pay attention, and do the required work, you will pass this course, and you may even enjoy it (not a requirement). Any behavior that interferes with learning is a NO NO! Some unacceptable behaviors include sleeping in class, loud or excessive talking, use of profanity, or being off-task (3-Minute Rule). Cell phones are marvelous inventions, but definitely a distraction in class. Turn them off and put them away while in class. Respect your fellow classmates time as well as their personal property.

Some specific rules:

Hall Pass: I have a hall pass (a rock)to be used to go to the restroom, drink machine, etc. This hall pass is only good for one student at a time. There is also a Jittery Joe’s pass that is only for students who are making a purchase from Jittery Joe’s during class time. If you need to speak with a faculty member, you will need a written pass form me. Do NOT use the other passes for this reason.

If you leave the classroom without the permission of the teacher, you will receive an automatic absence and be asked to leave.

Food: I prefer that you not eat in class. We have an ant problem. Leaving crumbs aggravates the situation. However, if you ask, I will sometimes allow you to eat a snack. But ask first. Drinks are allowed as long as they are in container with a re-sealable cap or lid.

Breaks (3-Minute Rule): While your are in the classroom, you are expected to be on-task. However, I understand that you can't always work non-stop for the entire class period without a break, especially when working at your computer, . When you have to take a break, limit yourself to 3-minutes, then resume work. If you take a restroom break etc. Be courteous. Other people may be waiting for the pass. Limit your break to 3 minutes. For Jittery-Joe's, order your food or drink, return to the classroom, and then go back later to pick up your order when it's ready.

Two Weeks Behind: Two weeks behind to me means having at least one assignment that is more than two weeks overdue. If you fall two-weeks behind, you are subject to withdrawal from the course. Remember, if this occurs, you will also receive a failing grade for the course.

Consequences for breaking rules:

First occurance: I will probably remind you that "we don't do that here."

Repeated occurance: I ask you to "come walk with me." We'll will talk.

Habitual occurance: When I can't stand any more, you will be dismissed from class and given and automatic absence.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Individual course requirements (syllabus) and pacing guide will be provided.

User Agreement

Using a weblog for our classwork will require some parameters for your safety and the quality of everyone's work. First, you should recognize that your work, as well as mine will be published for the entire on-line world to see. This will ultimately make us all responsible for better and more original output than ever before. By visiting other students' weblogs, you will be able to view all their work, and it will also make it easy for me to see who is not making an effort to submit work that is original. Once you create your own weblog for this class, I will add it to the class blog roll so everyone's work can be accessed from this page. I encourage you to look at your peers' work for ideas or inspiration, but what you submit must be your own.

I will leave comments about your work. These comments will usually instruct you on how you can improve your work. Please make sure you check your comments and your e-mail regularly, and make sure you are finished with one assignment before moving to the next.

Since this weblog will be part of your education at Classic City High School, any activity on your weblog should be considered school activity, even if it is done outside of school. You should feel free to create posts that are not school related, but you should also be sure to refrain from anything that could be considered inappropriate. This includes, but is not limited to: references to alcohol or drugs, violence, or gang activity, foul language, nudity, threats, etc.

Plagiarism is submitting someone else's work as your own. This can be done in many ways: copying work from Wikipedia, classmates, Sparknotes, etc. If you plagiarize your work, you will receive a zero -- no questions asked.

THE USER AGREEMENT:

1. I agree to submit original work to my weblog. I realize I will have the opportunity to view my peers' work, and I will use this opportunity constructively. I understand that if I choose to plagiarize, I will receive a zero for the work in question.

2. I agree to keep my weblog appropriate for Classic City High School. I understand that if innapropriate material were to appear on my weblog, be it from myself or an outside comment, I will be asked to remove it. Failure to do so will result in my weblog being removed from the class roll. I also understand that refereneces to illegal or dangerous activities will be reported since it is the legal responsibility of my teacher.

To agree, post a comment to this message like this: I agree to Dr. Maudsley's Weblog User Agreement. I will not add your weblog to the class roll until I receive your message.