Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1
Unit Objectives: Cells & Cell Membranes
1. Compare the relative size of various cells, why cells remain small and identify the
tools of study in biology.
2. Identify the structure, composition, and function of cell organelles.
3. Give general characteristics of prokaryotic cells.
4. Compare and contrast the structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
5. Compare and contrast the structures of plant and animal cells.
6. Identify structural characteristics unique to plant cells.
7. Compare microtubules and microfilaments according to their structures.
8. Describe the structure and function of the cell wall.
9. Identify the components of the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane.
10. Describe the roles of various proteins found in and on the cell membrane.
11. Define osmosis, diffusion, active transport processes and relate the processes to the
maintenance of cellular homeostasis.
12. Compare isotonic (isoosmotic), hypertonic (hyperosmotic), and hypotonic
(hypoosmotic) solutions and predict the path of movement of water and solutes in
given examples.
13. Describe how solute size and molar concentration affect the process of diffusion
through a selectively permeable membrane.
14. Relate osmotic potential to solute concentration and water potential.
15. Measure the water potential of a solution in a controlled experiment.
16. Describe the effects of water gain or loss in plant and animal cells.
2
Unit Objectives: Cellular Respiration
3
Unit Objectives: Photosynthesis
4
Unit Objectives: Cell Reproduction
5
DNA and Protein Synthesis
6
Unit Objectives: Molecular Biology
1. Compare DNA and RNA viruses; identify the structural componenets and compare
the reproductive cycles of viruses.
2. Compare three natural process of gene transfer in bacteria.
3. Define transposon and explain their role in genetic diversity.
4. Using the trp operon as an example, explain the concept of an operator and the
function of the operator, repressor and corepressor.
5. Distinguish between structural and regulatory genes.
6. Describe the lac operon functions and explain how it can operate without a
corepressor.
7. Distinguish between positive and negative control, and give examples of each from
the lac operon
8. Define terms related to gene expression; chromatin, nucleosome, heterochromatin,
DNA methylation, pseudogene, totipotent, regeneration, epigenesis, preformation,
nuclear transplantation and oncogenes.
9. Describe the nature role of restriction enzymes.
10. Understand how restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis are used to isolate DNA
fragments.
11. Describe DNA cloning and how it can be used to induce bacteria to produce
eukaryotic gene products.
12. Recognize some practical applications of recombinant DNA technology in biological
research.
13. Understand the process of DNA sequencing and the purpose of the Human Genome
Project.
14. Discuss social issues that could develop from genetic engineering.
15. Describe environmental impacts from introducing genetically engineered organisms.
7
Unit Objectives: Genetics
8
Unit Objectives: Population Genetics
9
Unit Objectives: Simple Life Forms
Early Earth/Taxonomy
1. Define/describe geological time scale, Pangea, Lucy, punctuated and gradual
equilibrium.
2. Describe Oparin’s hypothesis and the Miller-Urey experiments.
3. Describe the proposed sequence of development of life on earth.
4. Describe the use of the following in the study of macroevolution; embryology, fossils,
homology, vestigal organs and biochemistry.
5. Distinguish between anagenesis and cladogenesis.
6. List the attributes of each of the five kingdoms.
7. Given an organism or its description, place it in the appropriated kingdom.
Viruses
8. Identify the general characteristics of viruses and explain why they are not
considered living.
9. Describe the lytic and lysogenic cycles of viruses.
10. Describe the general physical features of viruses.
11. Compare the development of RNA and DNA viruses.
Bacteria
12. Describe the general characteristics of members of the kingdom Monera.
13. Distinguish among achaebacteria, eubacteria, and cyanobacteria on the basis of
respiration and nutrition.
14. Identify the most common shapes of eubacteria and describe the differences found
among gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
15. Explain the significance of bacteria in the earth’s ecosystem.
Protists
16. Explain the theory of endosymbiosis.
17. Describe the characteristics of the kingdom Protista.
18. Distinguish among the plant-like (algae), animal-like (protozoan) and fungus-like
(slime mold) protists.
19. Give the functions of the major physical components of the typical protists
(contractile vacuole, nucleus, trichocytes, etc)
Fungi
20. Describe the general characteristics of the kingdom Fungi.
21. Distinguish among saprophytic, parasitic and decomposing fungi.
22. Identify the structures of typical fungi (spores, hypha, mycelium).
23. Compare the reproductive structures of zygomycota, ascomycota, basidiomycota
and chytridiomycota.
10
Unit Objectives: Invertebrates
1. List the characteristics that distinguish animals from organisms in other kingdoms.
2. Distinguish between radial/bilateral symmetry, acoelomate/coelomate/pseudocoelomate,
determinate/indeterminate cleavage, schizocoelous/enterocoelous.
3. Compare the differences between protostomes and dueterostomes, citing examples.
4. From a diagram, identify the parts of a sponge (including the spongocoel, porocyte,
epidermis, choanocyte, mesohyl, amoebocyte, osculum, and spicule) and describe the
function of each.
5. List the characteristics of the phylum Cnidaria that distinguish it from the other animal
phyla.
6. Describe the two basic body plans in Cnidaria and their role in Cnidarian life cycles.
7. List the three classes of Cnidaria and distinguish among them based on life cycle and
morphological characteristics.
8. List the characteristics of the phylum Ctenophora that distinguish it from the other
animal phyla.
9. List the characteristics of the phylum Platyhelminthes that distinguish it from the other
animal phyla.
10. Distinguish among the four classes of Platyhelminthes and give examples of each.
11. Describe the generalized life cycle of a trematode and give an example of one fluke that
parasitizes humans.
12. Describe the anatomy and generalized life cycle of a tapeworm.
13. List the characteristics that distinguish the phylum Mollusca from the other animal
phyla.
14. Describe the basic body plan of a mollusk and explain how it has been modified in the
Bivalvia, Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, and Polyplacophora.
15. Distinguish among the following four molluscan classes and give examples of each: a.)
Bivalvia b.) gastropoda c.) cephalopoda d.) polyplacophora
16. List the characteristics that distinguish the phylum Annelida from the other animal
phyla.
17. Distinguish among the classes of Annelida and give examples of each.
18. Describe the adaptive advantage of a coelom and segmentation in annelids.
19. List the characteristics of the phylum Nematoda that distinguish it from other
wormlike animals.
20. List the characteristics of arthropods that distinguish them from the other animal
phyla.
21. Define and distinguish between the major independent arthropod lines of evolution
represented by: a.) Trilobita b.) Chelicerata c.) Crustacea d.) Uniramia
22. List the characteristics of echinoderms that distinguish them from other animal phyla.
23. Distinguish among the five classes of echinoderms and give examples of each.
24. Describe the evolutionary relationships between echinoderms and chordates.
11
Unit Objectives: Vertebrates
12
Unit Objectives: Digestion
1. Define tissue and explain where it falls in the hierarchy of the structural
organization.
2. Describe types and functions of epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle and
nervous tissue.
3. Distinguish among herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.
4. Describe the feeding mechanisms and give examples of animals that use; filter-
feeding, substrate-feeding, deposit-feeding, and fluid-feeding.
5. Distinguish between intracellular and extracellular digestion.
6. Describe some distinct advantages that complete digestive tracts have over
gastrovascular cavities and list the major animal phyla with alimentary tracts.
7. Describe the role of the major digestive enzymes.
8. Recognize the function of the components of the digestive system.
9. Sequence the pathway taken by a sample food through the digestive system.
10. Explain the function of bile, describe where it is produced and stored as well as its
composition.
11. Describe the enzymatic digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic
acids including the reactants and products for each enzymatic reaction and whether
they occur in the (a) oral cavity, (b) stomach (c) lumen of small intestine, (d) brush
borders of the small intestine.
12. Give examples of vertebrates with the following digestive adaptations and explain
how these adaptations are related to diet: variation in dentition, variation in
length of digestive tract, and multi-chambered stomach.
13. Define basal metabolic rate and explain the relationship between BMR (basal
metabolic rate) and body size.
14. List the four classes of essential nutrients.
15. List and distinguish between water soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.
16. Be familiar with the functions and descriptions of: jejunum, ilium, duodenum, villi,
microvilli, cecum, appendix, bolus, and chyme.
17. Explain how hormones influence the digestive process.
18. Relate variations in dentition and lengths of the digestive system to the feeding
strategies and diets of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.
13
Unit Objectives: Circulatory, Respiratory & Immune Systems
14
Unit Objectives: Regulation
15
Unit Objectives: Reproduction
16
Nervous System Objectives
1. Identify the functions/role of the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems.
2. Give the functions of the cerebellum, cerebrum, hypothalamus, and spinal cord.
3. Describe the trends in the evolution of the vertebrate brain.
4. Label a diagram of a neuron and identify the events and processes that occur at each of
the areas.
5. Sequence the pathway of a reflex arc from receptor to motor neuron and label a diagram
of a typical arc, describing what happens at each area.
6. Distinguish among receptors/effectors and sensory/inter/motor neurons.
7. Relate membrane permeability to the movement of Na+ and K+ ions.
8. Compare hyperpolarization of a neuron to depolarization.
9. Identify the types of neurotransmitters.
10. Label a diagram of a synaptic region and tell where neurontransmitters are released,
direction of impulse travel, ion flow, and fusion of the neurotransmitter occur.
11. Identify the types of receptors and the structures found in the vision and hearing
receptors.
12. Discuss the processes and structures involved in the contracting of a muscle including;
a) describe the relationship between muscle fiber and sarcomere, b) prepare a diagram
showing the location of the thin and thick filaments, I and A bands, Z lines and H zones
c) specifically describe the role of ATP/ADP and Ca++ in the contraction process.
13. Define ethology.
14. Distinguish between ultimate causes and proximate causes.
15. Compare behaviors related to each of the following: fixed action patterns, imprinting ,
conditioning, learning, insight, mating, habituation and social behaviors.
16. Observe domestic animals and classify the observed behavior as innate or learned.
17. Measure the effects of environmental variables on habitat selection in a controlled
environment and examine the distribution of organisms in a resource gradient.
17
Unit Objectives: Plant Physiology & Reproduction
1. List the characteristics of the members of the kingdom Plantae.
2. Distinguish between vascular and nonvascular plant characteristics. (angiosperms,
gymnosperms, Cycads, ginkgo, mosses and ferns)
3. Give the function of antheridium and archegonia in alternation of generations.
4. Recognize the sporophyte and gametophyte stages of mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, and
angiosperms.
5. Identify seed plant adaptations for life on land.
6. Compare monocot and dicot seed anatomy.
7. Label a diagram of a leaf cross section and give the functions of the parts therein and
their sequence in the anatomical heirarchy.
8. Label a diagram of a stoma and relate the parts to the movement of gases into and out of
plants.
9. Relate stoma position to photosynthesis.
10. Recognize the function of vascular tissues and identify the cells found in both types of
vascular tissues.
11. Identify the characteristics of pith, bark, cambium, spring wood, summer wood, heart
wood and sap wood.
12. Describe how vascular fluid moves throughout a plant using the transpiration-cohesion
and mass flow theories; apply these theories to hypothetical situations.
13. Recognize the functions of roots.
14. Label a diagram of a cross sections of a monocot and dicot stem.
15. Relate leaf modifications to water conservation.
16. Apply your understanding of the relationship between photosynthesis and
transpiration given data as to the rates of these events in a particular setting.
17. Identify the nutrients required for plant growth, particularly noting the three most
important.
18. Compare soil particles based on water holding capacity and size of each.
19. Identify the most usable forms of nitrogen for plant growth.
20. Describe the role of nitrogenase to nitrogen fixation, such as that carried out by
Rhizobium in the nodules of legumes.
21. Recognize by example, the types of nutritional adaptations observed in the plant
kingdom.
22. Recall the general features of photosynthesis and respiration and relate the occurrence
of these processes to the anatomical features of the plant.
23. Distinguish among perfect, imperfect, complete and incomplete flowers.
24. Compare reproduction in monoecious and dieocious plants.
25. Identify the types of tissues produced by lateral meristems and vascular cambiums.
26. Label a diagram of germinating monocot and/or dicot seeds.
27. Describe the process of and relation between fertilization and pollination in plants.
28. Identify the parts of a typical complete flower and give the functions.
29. Describe the methods/agents of pollination and the physiological adaptations needed
for each.
30. Define apomixis and give its evolutionary advantage
31. Describe the various methods of vegetative/asexual propagation and the
advantages/disadvantages of each.
32. Give the functions of the following hormones: cytokinins, gibberillic acid, abscisic acid,
ethylene, auxin and florigen.
33. Compare the various types of tropisms in relation to their stimuli.
34. Define photoperiodism, long day, day neutral, and short day in reference to flowering
plants.
18
Unit Objectives: Ecology
1. Explain the importance of temperature, water, light, soil, and wind to living organisms.
2. Compare abiotic and biotic factors.
3. Describe the characteristics of the major biomes: tropical rain forest, savanna, desert,
chaparral, temperate grassland, temperate forest, taiga, and tundra.
4. Define population, community, biome, ecosystem, biosphere, succession, permafrost, and
aphotic
5. Describe conditions which may result in clumped dispersion, random dispersion, and
uniform dispersion of populations.
6. Explain how age structure, generation time, and sex structure of populations can effect
population growth.
7. Describe the characteristics of populations exhibiting Type I, II, and III survivorship
curves.
8. Explain how carrying capacity of the environment affects the intrinsic rate of increase of
a population.
9. Explain how density dependent factors affect population growth and how density
dependent and independent factors can work together to regulate population growth.
10. Explain the relationship between species richness, equability, and diversity.
11. Describe the four properties of a community.
12. Describe the competitive exclusion principle.
13. Compare an organism’s fundamental and realized niches.
14. Define predation and identify methods used by plants and animals to reduce predation.
15. Identify the major characteristics of a life history and explain how each affects the 1)
number of offspring by an individual and 2) population.
16. Explain the nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon and water cycles.
17. List and describe four consumer levels of an ecosystem.
18. Distinguish between energy pyramids and biomass pyramids.
19. Define: biological magnification, denitrification, ammonification, nitrification,
detritivores, consumers and producers.
20. Compare Net Primary Productivity (NPP) and Gross Primary Productivity (GPP).
21. Describe the physiological importance of carbon and oxygen in an ecosystem.
22. Understand the physical and biological factors that affect the solubility of dissolved
gases in aquatic ecosystems.
23. Describe a technique for measuring dissolved oxygen.
24. Define primary productivity.
25. Describe the relationship between dissolved oxygen and the processes of photosynthesis
and respiration as they affect primary productivity in an ecosystem.
26. Understand the effect of light and nutrients on photosynthesis.
19