Course Title: Life Science

Course Title: _Life Science

Unit 1 / Interdependence of Life / Length (weeks): 5
Description / This unit teaches the feeding and symbiotic relationships and human and environmental conditions are also part of this unit. Students will learn about Earth’s major terrestrial biomes and aquatic communities.
Essential Questions / -How do you fit into the larger world?
-How do changes in climate affect living things in their environment?
-How are organisms and their environment linked together?
-What are the different types of relationships between organisms?
-What are the characteristics of each biome?
Enduring Understandings /

The survival of organisms in a biome is affected by living and nonliving factors.
Terrestrial biomes and aquatic communities have similar, yet unique characteristics.
Organisms are interdependent on their environment and each other.

Assessment / Students will participate in formative and summative assessments such as informal observations, class discussion, selected response, self-assessments, lab activities and reports, and projects
Standards / S7L4 Students will examine the dependence of organisms on one another and their environments.
c. Recognize that changes in environmental conditions can affect the survival of both individuals and entire species.
d. Categorize relationships between organisms that are competitive or mutually beneficial.
e. Describe the characteristics of Earth’s major terrestrial biomes (i.e., tropical rain forest, savanna, temperate, desert, taiga, tundra, and mountain) and aquatic communities (i.e., freshwater, estuaries, and marine).
Resources / Please refer to BlackBoard for resources.
Vocabulary / Ecology – the study of interactions of living organisms with one another and their environment
Habitat - the place where a plant or animal lives and grows
Biosphere – the part of Earth where life exists
Ecosystem – a community of organisms and their abiotic environment
Community – all of the populations of species that live in the same habitat and interact with each other
Population – a group of organisms of the same species that live in a specific geographical area
Species – a group of organisms that are closely related and can mate and produce fertile offspring
Abiotic – the nonliving part of the environment including water, rocks, light, and temperature
Biotic – the living factors in an environment
Biomass – the amount of living matter in an area such as a habitat
Biome – a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plant and animal communities
Niche – an organisms role in its habitat
Biodiversity – the number and variety of organisms in an area
tropical rain forest – forest characterized by warm temperatures, lots of rainfall, and a great biodiversity of organisms
temperate (deciduous) forest–forest characterized by moderate temperatures and trees whose leaves change color and fall off in the winter or dry season
taiga – a coniferous (evergreen) forest found in the northern latitudes characterized by cooler temperatures
savanna – a grassland that has scattered clumps of trees and seasonal rains
temperate grassland – grassland that includes grasses and flowering plants with few trees
desert– region with little to no plant life, long periods of no rain, and extreme temperatures
tundra – a treeless plain that is characterized by very low winter temperatures and short, cool summers
estuary – an area where freshwater from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean
marine
Unit 2 / Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling / Length (weeks): 5
Description / This unit will lead students in understanding that the sun is the primary source of energy, and that organisms depend on one another as well as their environment for survival. Students will be able to use and create a food web to demonstrate that matter and energy is transferred and recycled among organisms and their environment.
Essential Questions / -Where does the energy in my food come from?
-Why are there fewer animals than plants?
-How can I briefly describe the processes involved in the hydrologic cycle?
-How can I describe the two major human interventions in the carbon cycle?
-Why is the nitrogen cycle significant?
-How do organisms depend on each other and their environment?
-How does matter and energy flow through a food web?
Enduring Understandings /

The sun is the primary source of energy for the living world.
The food web demonstrates that all energy is transferred and recycled among organisms and their environment.
Organisms depend on one another as well as their environment for survival.

Assessment / Students will participate in formative and summative assessments such as informal observations, class discussion, selected response, self-assessments, lab activities and reports, and projects
Standards / S7L4 Students will examine the dependence of organisms on one another and their environments.
a. Demonstrate in a food web that matter is transferred from one organism to another and can recycle between organisms and their environments.
b. Explain in a food web that sunlight is the source of energy and that this energy moves from organism to organism.
Resources / Please refer to BlackBoard for resources.
Vocabulary / Producer – an organism that uses sunlight to make its own food; also known as an autotroph
Consumer – an organisms that eat other organisms for food; also known as a heterotroph
Herbivore – an organism that eats only plants
Carnivore – an organism that eats animals
Omnivore – an organism that eats both plants and animals
Scavenger– an organism that eats dead plants and animals
Decomposer – an organism that gets energy by breaking down dead organisms
Food Chain – a diagram that shows how energy in food flows from one organism to another
Food web – a diagram that shows all the feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem.
Energy Pyramid – an diagram that shows an ecosystem’s loss of energy, which results as energy passes through the ecosystem’s food chain
Limiting Factor – something such as food, water, or space that limits the size of a population
Carrying Capacity – the largest population that an environment can support at any given time
Predator–an organism that kills and eats another for food
Prey – an organism that is killed and eaten by another organism.
Competition – occurs when two or more organisms or populations try to use the same resource (i.e. food, water, space, etc.)
Symbiosis–a close, long-term association between two or more species
Mutualism–a relationship between two species in which both species benefit
Commensalism – a relationship between two organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.
Parasitism–a relationship between two species in which one species, the parasite, benefits from the other species, the host, which is harmed.
Water Cycle – the movement of water between the oceans, atmosphere, land, and living things
Carbon Cycle – The exchange of carbon between the environment and living things
Decomposition – The breakdown of substances into simpler molecules
Combustion – the burning of a substance
Photosynthesis – process in which some organisms use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food.
Respiration – the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between living cells and their environment; includes breathing and cellular respiration
Nitrogen Cycle – the movement of nitrogen between the environment and living things
(AC) Succession – the replacement of one type of community by another at a single place over a period of time
(AC) Primary Succession – succession that occurs where an ecosystem had not previously existed
(AC) Secondary Succession – succession that occurs where another ecosystem had previously existed.
(AC) Pioneer Species – a species that colonizes an uninhabited area and starts the process of succession
(AC) Climax Species – slow-growing, well-adapted organisms that dominate a community as it matures.
Unit 3 / Structure and Function of Cells / Length (weeks): 6
Description / At the end of this unit, students will be able to relate cell structure to cell function (specifically: cell membrane, nucleus, chloroplasts, cytoplasm, and mitochondria). All living organisms are made of cells, and most organisms have specialized cells that perform different functions. Students will understand that cells take in nutrients in order to grow, divide, make needed materials, and reproduce. They will demonstrate understanding of the levels of cellular organization and the relationship among cells, tissues, organs, and systems.
Essential Questions / -How are living things distinguished from non-living things?
-How do cells take in nutrients in order to grow and divide and to make needed materials?
-How do you explain the relationship between the structures and functions of cell organelles?
-How do cells maintain homeostasis in changing environments?
-How are cells organized into tissues, organs, and organ systems to make up an organism?
-How do cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems work together to fulfill an organism's need for oxygen, food, and waste removal?
-Why is each part of the cell essential to survival?
Enduring Understandings /

Cells take in nutrients to grow, divide, and make needed materials.
Cell structure is related to cell function. (Teacher Note: cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, chloroplasts)
Cell parts are interdependent.
Levels of cellular organization (cells → tissue → organs → systems → organism)

Assessment / Students will participate in formative and summative assessments such as informal observations, class discussion, selected response, self-assessments, lab activities and reports, and projects
Standards / S7L2: Students will describe the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
a. Explain that cells take in nutrients in order to grow and divide and to make needed materials.
b. Relate cell structures (cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, and mitochondria) to basic cell functions.
c. Explain that cells are organized into tissues, tissues into organs, organs into systems, and systems into organisms.
Resources / Please refer to BlackBoard for resources.
Vocabulary / Cell – the smallest functional and structural unit of all living things
Prokaryote – single-celled organism that does not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles
Eukaryote – an organism made up of cells that have a nucleus enclosed by a membrane
DNA – molecule present in all living things; contains the information that determines the traits that a living thing inherits and needs to live
Organelle – structures within a cell that perform specific functions
Nucleus – a membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell’s DNA and that has a role in processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction
Cytoplasm–the fluid inside the cell that acts as a cushion
Cell Wall – a rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane and provides support to the cell
Cell Membrane – protective layer that covers the cell’s surface and acts as a barrier
Mitochondria–an organelle that is the site of cellular energy ; produces energy (ATP)
Chloroplast–organelle that contains chlorophyll; the site of photosynthesis
Homeostasis – the maintenance of a constant internal state in a changing environment
Diffusion – movement of particles from areas of high concentration to low concentration
Osmosis– the diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane
Photosynthesis - process in which some organisms use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food.
Cellular Respiration – the process by which cells use oxygen to produce energy from food.
Mitosis–process of cell division that form two new nuclei, each of which has the same number of chromosomes
Meiosis–process of cell division during which the number of chromosomes decreases to half the original number by two divisions of the nucleus, which results in the production of sex cells
Tissue – a group of similar cells that work together to perform a common function
Organ – a collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body
Organ System – a group of organs that work together to perform body functions
Structure – the arrangement of parts in an organism
Function – the special, normal, or proper activity of an organ or part
Unit 4 / Human Body Systems / Length (weeks): 4
Description / This unit will lead students through investigations of organisms’ organization from basic to complex. Students will investigate processes associated with systems that function in: acquisition and utilization of energy e.g. digestion and respiration, and excretion. They will examine these processes through a comparative study of the six kingdoms of life which will ultimately lead them to the understanding that all living organisms are made of cells (including humans) and all participate in these processes in order to maintain life.
Essential Questions / -How do cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems work together to fulfill an organism's need for oxygen, food, and waste removal?
-What are the different systems of the body and how do they interact to fulfill an organism's needs?
-How do the higher levels of organization serve the needs of the cell?
-How do the systems compare in different organisms?
-How does reproduction vary among organisms?
Enduring Understandings /

Cells make tissues, tissues make organs, organs make organs systems, and organs systems make organisms.
Levels of cellular organization serve the needs of cells for obtaining oxygen and food, and removing waste.
The functions of the major systems (digestion, respiration, reproduction, transport/circulation, excretion, movement, control, and coordination, and for protection from disease)

Assessment / Students will participate in formative and summative assessments such as informal observations, class discussion, selected response, self-assessments, lab activities and reports, and projects
Standards / S7L2. Students will describe the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
d. Explain that tissues, organs, and organ systems serve the needs cells have for oxygen, food, and waste removal.
e. Explain the purpose of the major organ systems in the human body (i.e., digestion, respiration, reproduction, circulation, excretion, movement, control, and coordination, and for protection from disease).
Resources / Please refer to BlackBoard for resources.
Vocabulary / Digestive System – system whose organs break down food so that it can be used by the body
Respiratory System–system with a collection of organs whose primary function is to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide
Reproductive System – system with organs whose primary function is to produce sperm in males and eggs in females; the female reproductive system also has the function of protecting a fetus.
Circulatory (Cardiovascular) System – systems whose organs transport blood throughout the body
Excretory (Urinary) System – system whose primary function is to remove wastes from the blood and regulate bodily fluids
Skeletal System – systems whose primary function is to support and protect the body and to allow the body to move
Muscular System – system whose primary function is movement and flexibility
Immune System – organ system whose cells and tissues recognize and attack foreign substances in the body
Nervous System – system whose primary function is to send and receive electrical messages throughout the body
Integumentary System – system whose primary function is to cover the body and maintain homeostasis
Lymphatic System – system whose function is to collect extracellular fluid and return it to the blood.
Unit 5 / Genetics, Heredity, and Reproduction / Length (weeks): 5
Description / This unit will lead students to an understanding of biological traits and heredity. Students will understand the roles that genes and chromosomes have in how traits are passed through generations by sexual or asexual reproduction in organisms. This understanding will guide them to the concept of selective breeding and how it can be used to produce desired traits in plants and animals.
Essential Questions / -How do genes contribute to an organism’s survival?
-Why are genes important in determining hereditary traits?
-How can a mutation be helpful?
-Why do I look the way I do?
-How can I predict what traits will be passed from one generation to another?
-Why is selective breeding important to me?
-How is genetic material passed from parents to their offspring?
-How can our knowledge of genetics be useful?
-How do asexual organisms reproduce?
-How do organisms create cells that will result in an offspring with traits from both parents?
-How is sexual reproduction an advantage?
Enduring Understandings /

Many traits of an organism are inherited from its biological parents.
Genes and chromosomes determine the expressions of inherited traits.
All organisms reproduce sexually or asexually.
Selective breeding is used to enhance a desired trait.

Assessment / Students will participate in formative and summative assessments such as informal observations, class discussion, selected response, self-assessments, lab activities and reports, and projects
Standards / S7L3. Students will recognize how biological traits are passed on to successive generations.
a. Explain the role of genes and chromosomes in the process of inheriting a specific trait.
b. Compare and contrast that organisms reproduce asexually and sexually (bacteria, protists, fungi, plants & animals).
c. Recognize that selective breeding can produce plants or animals with desired traits
Resources / Please refer to BlackBoard for resources.
Vocabulary / Allele–one of the alternative forms of a gene that governs a characteristic, such as hair color
Gene – one set of instructions for an inherited trait
Chromosome - A threadlike linear strand of DNA and associated proteins in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that carries the genes and functions in the transmission of hereditary information.
DNA- A nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell and is capable of self-replication and synthesis of RNA.
Genotype - The genetic makeup of an organism; also the combination of genes for one or more specific traits
Heredity - The genetic transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring.
Heterozygous- Having different alleles
Homozygous- Having two of the same
Inheritance - The passing of traits from parents to offspring.