Alberta · Grade 11
Biology 20
- SCN2231
Alberta’s Grade 11 science course, from Energy & Matter Exchange in the Biosphere to Human Systems.
- Units
- 4
- Lessons
- 14
- Skills
- 46
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- Alberta Education
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, with its official code.
Unit 1 · 9 skills
Energy & Matter Exchange in the Biosphere
The One-Way Flow of Energy
One-way flow of energy
I can explain the one-way flow of energy through the biosphere and why it is eventually lost as heat.
Official code: 20-A1.1k
Photosynthesis, chemosynthesis and respiration balance
I can explain how energy in the biosphere balances photosynthesis, chemosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Official code: 20-A1.2k
Trophic levels, food chains and webs
I can explain trophic levels using food chains and food webs.
Official code: 20-A1.3k
Quantitative energy flow and pyramids
I can explain quantitatively how energy and matter move through ecosystems using pyramids of numbers, biomass and energy.
Official code: 20-A1.4k
Cycling Matter & Productivity
Biogeochemical cycles
I can explain the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus.
Official code: 20-A2.1k
Water's role in the cycles
I can explain water's primary role in the biogeochemical cycles from its chemical and physical properties.
Official code: 20-A2.2k
Energy, matter and productivity
I can explain the interrelationship of energy, matter and ecosystem productivity.
Official code: 20-A3.1k
Gas Exchange & the Changing Atmosphere
Gas exchange and atmospheric composition
I can explain how the balance of photosynthesis and cellular respiration influences atmospheric composition.
Official code: 20-A3.2k
Geologic evidence for a changing atmosphere
I can describe the geologic evidence and explanation for how Earth's atmosphere changed from anoxic to oxygen-rich.
Official code: 20-A3.3k
The official wording · 9 outcomes
- 20-A1.1k
- Explain, in general terms, the one-way flow of energy through the biosphere
- 20-A1.2k
- explain how energy in the biosphere can be perceived as a balance between both photosynthetic and chemosynthetic activities and cellular respiratory activities
- 20-A1.3k
- explain the structure of ecosystem trophic levels, using models such as food chains and food webs
- 20-A1.4k
- explain, quantitatively, the flow of energy and the exchange of matter in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, using models such as pyramids of numbers, biomass and energy
- 20-A2.1k
- explain and summarize the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus
- 20-A2.2k
- explain water’s primary role in the biogeochemical cycles, considering its chemical and physical properties
- 20-A3.1k
- explain the interrelationship of energy, matter and ecosystem productivity
- 20-A3.2k
- explain how the equilibrium between gas exchanges in photosynthesis and cellular respiration influences atmospheric composition
- 20-A3.3k
- describe the geologic evidence (stromatolites) and scientific explanations for change in atmospheric composition, with respect to oxygen and carbon dioxide, from anoxic conditions to the present
Key ideas
Energy enters as sunlight, is captured by producers, and flows one way through trophic levels — it is NOT recycled.
Matter cycles: carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus move between living things, air, water and soil and are reused indefinitely.
Photosynthesis removes and releases ; cellular respiration does the reverse — together they set the balance of these gases in the air.
At each transfer, most energy is lost as heat (only ~10% passes up a level), so ecosystems need a constant energy input.
Each cycle has reservoirs and fluxes; e.g. carbon moves via photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition and combustion.
Watch out for
- Thinking energy is recycled like matter — energy FLOWS one way and is lost as heat; matter cycles.
- Thinking matter is lost/created — it is conserved and cycled.
- Thinking plants only produce and never respire (they do both).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 11 skills
Ecosystems & Population Change
Ecosystems & Limiting Factors
Species, population, community, ecosystem
I can define species, population, community and ecosystem and explain their interrelationships.
Official code: 20-B1.1k
Habitats and niches
I can explain how ecosystems support diversity through a variety of habitats and niches.
Official code: 20-B1.2k
Biotic and abiotic factors in local ecosystems
I can identify biotic and abiotic characteristics and explain their influence in local ecosystems.
Official code: 20-B1.3k
Limiting factors
I can explain how limiting factors influence organism distribution and range.
Official code: 20-B1.4k
Classifying Life
Taxonomy and binomial nomenclature
I can explain the principles of taxonomy and binomial nomenclature.
Official code: 20-B1.5k
The Mechanism & Evidence of Evolution
Variability from mutation
I can explain that variability comes from heritable mutations, some of which are advantageous.
Official code: 20-B2.1k
Sexual reproduction and variation
I can discuss how sexual reproduction increases variation and drives evolution.
Official code: 20-B2.2k
Lamarck vs Darwin
I can compare Lamarckian and Darwinian explanations of evolutionary change.
Official code: 20-B2.3k
Lines of evidence for evolution
I can summarize lines of evidence supporting the evolution of modern species from ancestral forms.
Official code: 20-B2.4k
Speciation
I can explain speciation and the conditions required for it.
Official code: 20-B2.5k
Modern evolutionary theories
I can describe modern evolutionary theories — punctuated equilibrium and gradualism.
Official code: 20-B2.6k
The official wording · 11 outcomes
- 20-B1.1k
- define species, population, community and ecosystem and explain the interrelationships among them
- 20-B1.2k
- explain how terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems support a diversity of organisms through a variety of habitats and niches
- 20-B1.3k
- identify biotic and abiotic characteristics and explain their influence in an aquatic and a terrestrial ecosystem in the local region
- 20-B1.4k
- explain how limiting factors influence organism distribution and range
- 20-B1.5k
- explain the fundamental principles of taxonomy and binomial nomenclature
- 20-B2.1k
- explain that variability in a species results from heritable mutations and that some mutations may have a selective advantage
- 20-B2.2k
- discuss the significance of sexual reproduction to individual variation in populations and to the process of evolution
- 20-B2.3k
- compare Lamarckian and Darwinian explanations of evolutionary change
- 20-B2.4k
- summarize and describe lines of evidence to support the evolution of modern species from ancestral forms
- 20-B2.5k
- explain speciation and the conditions required for this process
- 20-B2.6k
- describe modern evolutionary theories
Key ideas
Nested levels: species → population (one species in an area) → community (all populations) → ecosystem (community + abiotic environment).
Taxonomy groups organisms in a nested hierarchy; kingdoms are distinguished by mode of nutrition, and finer levels by shared morphology.
Mutations are random changes in DNA; heritable ones create the variation natural selection acts on.
Each level includes the ones below it.
Binomial nomenclature gives each species a two-part Latin name — Genus species — that is unique and universal.
Watch out for
- Confusing population (one species) with community (all species).
- Thinking the two-part name is first name + last name rather than Genus + species.
- Thinking mutations arise BECAUSE they are needed (they are random; the environment selects).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 6 skills
Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration
Capturing & Releasing Energy
Photosynthesis and energy storage
I can explain in general terms how photosynthesis captures and stores energy.
Official code: 20-C1.1k
Light-independent reactions and glucose
I can explain in general terms how ATP and NADPH are used to build glucose in the light-independent reactions.
Official code: 20-C1.2k
Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle
I can explain in general terms how glucose is oxidized in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.
Official code: 20-C2.1k
Respiration Pathways & ATP
Chemiosmosis and ATP synthesis
I can explain in general terms how chemiosmosis converts reducing power into ATP.
Official code: 20-C2.2k
Aerobic vs anaerobic respiration
I can distinguish, in general terms, between aerobic and anaerobic respiration and fermentation.
Official code: 20-C2.3k
The role of ATP
I can summarize the role of ATP in cellular metabolism.
Official code: 20-C2.4k
The official wording · 6 outcomes
- 20-C1.1k
- explain, in general terms, how energy is absorbed by pigments
- 20-C1.2k
- how the products of the light-dependent reactions, NADPH and ATP, are used to reduce carbon in the light-independent reactions for the production of glucose
- 20-C2.1k
- explain, in general terms, how glucose is oxidized during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle
- 20-C2.2k
- explain, in general terms, how chemiosmosis converts the reducing power of NADH and FADH to store chemical potential energy as ATP
- 20-C2.3k
- distinguish, in general terms, between aerobic and anaerobic respiration and fermentation in plants, animals and yeast
- 20-C2.4k
- summarize and explain the role of ATP in cellular metabolism
Key ideas
Light-dependent reactions: pigments absorb light energy; it is used to produce ATP and NADPH and to split water (releasing ).
The reducing power in NADH and drives an electron transport chain that pumps protons, and their flow back through ATP synthase makes ATP (chemiosmosis).
These reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast.
This happens across the inner mitochondrial membrane and produces the bulk of a cell's ATP; detailed intermediates are not required.
The light-independent (Calvin) reactions use ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent stage to reduce into glucose.
Watch out for
- Thinking plants get their food/mass from soil rather than from and light.
- Thinking most ATP comes from glycolysis or the Krebs cycle directly (most comes from chemiosmosis).
- Confusing which stage needs light (light-dependent) vs which fixes carbon (light-independent).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 20 skills
Human Systems
Digestion & Enzymes
Digestive & respiratory structures
I can identify the principal structures of the digestive and respiratory systems.
Official code: 20-D1.1k
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and their enzymes
I can describe the chemical nature of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and the enzymes that break them down.
Official code: 20-D1.2k
Enzyme action
I can explain enzyme action and the factors that influence it.
Official code: 20-D1.3k
Processing Matter & Gas Exchange
Processing matter into the blood
I can describe how matter is processed through the digestive system into the circulatory system.
Official code: 20-D1.4k
Breathing, gas exchange and heat loss
I can explain how the body exchanges matter and heat with its environment through breathing, gas exchange and heat loss.
Official code: 20-D1.5k
The Heart & Blood Vessels
Structures of the heart
I can identify the principal structures of the heart and its associated blood vessels.
Official code: 20-D2.1k
The heart and circulation
I can describe the action of the heart and the general circulation of blood.
Official code: 20-D2.2k
Arteries, veins and capillaries
I can describe the structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries.
Official code: 20-D2.3k
Exchange at the capillary level
I can explain how the circulatory system aids other systems by exchanging energy and matter at the capillary level.
Official code: 20-D2.5k
Blood, Temperature & Defence
Components of blood
I can describe the main components of blood and their roles.
Official code: 20-D2.4k
Blood and body temperature
I can explain the role of blood in regulating body temperature.
Official code: 20-D2.6k
The lymphatic system
I can describe, in general terms, the function of the lymphatic system.
Official code: 20-D2.7k
The human defence system
I can list the main components of the human defence system and describe their roles.
Official code: 20-D2.8k
ABO and Rh blood groups
I can describe the ABO and Rh blood groups in terms of antigens and antibodies.
Official code: 20-D2.9k
Excretion & the Kidney
Structures of the excretory system
I can identify the principal structures of the excretory system.
Official code: 20-D3.1k
The nephron and plasma composition
I can identify the structures of the nephron and explain how they maintain plasma composition.
Official code: 20-D3.2k
Kidney function
I can describe the function of the kidney in excreting metabolic wastes.
Official code: 20-D3.3k
ADH, aldosterone and blood pressure
I can explain how ADH and aldosterone regulate water, sodium and blood pressure.
Official code: 20-D3.4k
The Motor System & Movement
How the motor system supports the body
I can explain how the motor system supports the body's other functions using different muscle types.
Official code: 20-D4.1k
Muscle contraction
I can describe, in general, the action of actin and myosin in muscle contraction.
Official code: 20-D4.2k
The official wording · 20 outcomes
- 20-D1.1k
- identify the principal structures of the digestive and respiratory systems
- 20-D1.2k
- describe the chemical nature of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and their enzymes
- 20-D1.3k
- explain enzyme action and factors influencing their action
- 20-D1.4k
- describe the chemical and physical processing of matter through the digestive system into the circulatory system
- 20-D1.5k
- explain the exchange of matter and the transfer of thermal energy between the body and the environment
- 20-D2.1k
- identify the principal structures of the heart and associated blood vessels
- 20-D2.2k
- describe the action of the heart, blood pressure and the general circulation of blood
- 20-D2.3k
- describe the structure and function of blood vessels
- 20-D2.5k
- explain the role of the circulatory system at the capillary level in aiding the digestive, excretory, respiratory and motor systems
- 20-D2.4k
- describe the main components of blood and their role in transport, clotting and resisting the influence of pathogens
- 20-D2.6k
- explain the role of blood in regulating body temperature
- 20-D2.7k
- describe and explain, in general terms, the function of the lymphatic system
- 20-D2.8k
- list the main cellular and noncellular components of the human defence system and describe their role
- 20-D2.9k
- describe the ABO and Rh blood groups on the basis of antigens and antibodies
- 20-D3.1k
- identify the principal structures in the excretory system
- 20-D3.2k
- identify the major and associated structures of the nephron
- 20-D3.3k
- describe the function of the kidney in excreting metabolic wastes
- 20-D3.4k
- identify the role of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and aldosterone in water and sodium ion reabsorption, excretion and blood pressure regulation
- 20-D4.1k
- explain how the motor system supports body functions
- 20-D4.2k
- describe, in general, the action of actin and myosin in muscle contraction and heat production
Key ideas
Digestive path: mouth → esophagus → stomach → small and large intestines, with sphincters controlling flow.
Physical processing (chewing, churning) increases surface area; chemical processing (enzymes) breaks food into absorbable molecules.
The heart has four chambers (two atria, two ventricles) separated by septa, with valves ensuring one-way flow.
Plasma (transport), erythrocytes (carry ), platelets (clotting), and leukocytes (defence).
The excretory system: kidneys (filter blood), ureters (carry urine down), urinary bladder (stores it), and urethra (releases it).
Watch out for
- Thinking the stomach does most digestion/absorption (most absorption is in the small intestine).
- Thinking food "in the gut" is already inside the body (it must be absorbed into the blood first).
- Thinking blood can flow backward through the heart (valves prevent this).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
Which course?
Alberta has 5 science courses for Grade 11. Here they are side by side.
- Biology 20This courseSCN22314 units · 46 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversEnergy & Matter Exchange in the Biosphere · Ecosystems & Population Change · Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration · Human Systems
- Chemistry 20SCN27964 units · 54 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversDiversity of Matter & Chemical Bonding · Forms of Matter: Gases · Matter as Solutions, Acids & Bases · Quantitative Relationships in Chemical Changes
- Physics 20SCN27974 units · 45 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversKinematics · Dynamics · Circular Motion, Work & Energy · Oscillatory Motion & Mechanical Waves
- Science 20SCN22704 units · 58 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversChemical Changes · Changes in Motion · The Changing Earth · Changes in Living Systems
- Science 24SCN22884 units · 26 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversApplications of Matter & Chemical Change · Understanding Common Energy Conversions · Disease Defence & Human Health · Motion, Change & Transportation Safety
What a university, college or program asks for is theirs to say: check its admission page, and your school’s course guide.
The official curriculum
This page follows Alberta’s own curriculum for Biology 20.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Biology 20 one skill at a time. Each skill gets a short lesson, practice as you go and a check worth up to three stars. It remembers where you stopped.
Course Companion
Your year in one workbook
A fun way to keep Biology 20 organized, get to know your child better and see early when they need a hand. Fill it in on a screen, or print it.
- Pages
- 31
- Fillable fields
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- Price
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Questions about Biology 20
What is Biology 20?
Alberta’s Grade 11 science course: 4 units and 46 skills, from Energy & Matter Exchange in the Biosphere to Human Systems.
What units are in Biology 20?
1. Energy & Matter Exchange in the Biosphere, 2. Ecosystems & Population Change, 3. Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration and 4. Human Systems.
Is there a provincial exam for Biology 20?
No. Alberta gives no provincial exam for Biology 20.
What comes after Biology 20?
Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Science 30 and Physics 30.
Can MapleMind help with Biology 20?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Biology 20, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
Get ready for Biology 20
Practise every skill of Biology 20 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
