Student Learning Outcomes, Unit 1

Week 1

The Study of Life

1. Understand and be able to describe the processes of scientific investigation, i.e. how scientists come to know things
2. Be able to list characteristic processes that distinguish living things (organisms) from nonliving matter

Terms and Concepts

Science:

cause and effect

steps in the scientific method

independent and dependent variables

why have an experimental control

philosophers: Francis Bacon, Rene Decartes

The Cell

1. Becomes familiar with the size of cells
2. Describe the essential structure and function of the cell membrane, the nucleus, and the cytoplasm
3. Be able to describe the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane.
4. Learn the organelles and their functions; be able to identify them on a diagram
5. Describe the general function of the mitochondria and chloroplast organelles
6. Differentiate between a prokaryotic and a eukaryotic cell, and between plant and animal cells. Be able to explain the endosymbiotic hypothesis.

Terms and Concepts

cell theory

cell

plasma membrane

fluid mosaic model

cytoplasm

eukaryotic cell

prokaryotic cell

nucleus

chromatin

chromosomes

organelle

endoplasmic reticulum

ribosome

lysosome

Golgi body

Vesicles

mitochondria

chloroplasts

cytoskeleton

actin, intermediate filaments, microtubules

endosymbiotic hypothesis

The Cell Membrane

1. Be able to explain the process of diffusion
2. Be able to discuss the differences between and examples of active and passive transport

Terms and Concepts

passive transport

active transport

diffusion

equilibrium

osmosis

tonicity

isotonic

turgor pressure

facilitated transport

sodium-potassium pump

exocytosis

endocytosis

Week 2

Chemistry of Life

1. Know the 1st 2 laws of thermodynamics.
2. Understand the difference between potential and kinetic energy. Be able to describe the general structure of an atom and how atoms interact
3. Relate the properties of water to its structure
4. Define pH and be able to identify an acid, base or neutral compound by its pH

Terms and Concepts

element; carbon, hydrogen, oxygen

atom and its components

atomic number

atomic mass

isotope

bond

molecule

compound

Periodic Table

ion; salts

pH scale

water

buffer

chemical equation

solution; solvent, solute

Week 3

Organic Chemistry

1. Understand how to read chemical equations and reactions.
2. Identify the 3 main elements in organisms
3. List the 4 main types of organic macromolecules and their structural units

Terms and Concepts

functional group

organic compound

carbohydrates; glucose, starch, glycogen, cellulose

lipids; glycerol, fatty acids, steroids,

hydrophobic

proteins; amino acids, peptide bonds

denaturation

Week 4

Ecosystems

1. Know how to organize life, and be able to name the 3 domains
2. Be able to discuss ecosystem relationships with respect to abiotic and biotic factors
3. Know the limiting factors for production in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
4. Understand energy transfer between trophic levels and nutrient cycling in ecosystems

Terms and Concepts

Organization and the Diversity of Life:

species

systematics

taxonomy

binomial

phylogeny

Linneaus

population

community

ecosystem

biosphere

Ecosystems

Trophic levels, autotrophs, heterotrophs

Productivity, biomass

Limiting nutrient

Energy transfer, pyramids

Biological magnification

Ecosystem Dynamics

1. Be able to discuss global biogeochemical cycling models.
2. Be aware of human impact on nutrient cycling.

Terms and Concepts

Biogeochemical cycling

Biological magnification

Deforestation

Eutrophication

Water pollution