Biology 11

Unit 1: The Cell

The cell as the unit of life: cell theory and microscopy, cell structure and organelles, cellular energy (photosynthesis and respiration), and transport across the membrane.

• Discrediting spontaneous generation
• The development of cell theory
• How the microscope advanced science
• Bias in the abiogenesis debate
• Using the light microscope
• Preparing a wet mount
• Recording microscope observations

• Prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells
• Plant vs animal cells
• Eukaryotic organelles and their jobs
• Light vs electron microscope images
• Mitochondria and chloroplasts

• Photosynthesis vs respiration
• Complementary energy processes
• Investigating photosynthesis and respiration
• Importance to human enterprises
• Transport across the membrane
• Osmosis and cells
• Surface area and cell size

Unit 2: Biodiversity

Classifying the diversity of life: the principles and systems of taxonomy, the kingdoms, viruses, the plant groups, animal phyla, and the biodiversity of New Brunswick ecosystems.

• Principles of taxonomy
• Limits of classification systems
• Binomial nomenclature
• Levels of classification
• How classification changes
• Modern classification techniques

• Characteristics of living things
• Characteristics of the kingdoms
• Diversity within the kingdoms
• Viruses and their reproduction

• Major plant groups
• Flower and seed structure
• Dissecting plant phyla
• Dissecting flowers
• Plant homeostasis and tropisms
• Experiments on plant tropisms
• Plant hormones

• Invertebrate phyla
• Arthropod success
• Classes of chordates
• NB biodiversity and sustainability
• New Brunswick eco-regions
• Human impact on biodiversity

Unit 3: Maintaining Dynamic Equilibrium

Homeostasis in the human body: the concept of dynamic equilibrium, the biological macromolecules, and the digestive, urinary, circulatory, respiratory, and immune systems that maintain internal balance.

• The concept of homeostasis
• Responding to the environment
• The macromolecules of life

• Nutrition, fitness, and homeostasis
• Eating and digestive disorders
• The digestive system
• Glands of digestion

• The urinary system
• The kidney as an excretory organ
• The nephron
• Investigating enzyme activity
• Designing an enzyme experiment

• Circulation and respiration together
• Blood flow through the heart
• Arteries, veins, and capillaries
• Components of blood
• Respiratory system mechanics
• Investigating cardiac and respiratory function
• Circulatory and respiratory disorders
• Adaptations for gas exchange

• Environmental factors and homeostasis
• How the immune system works
• Forms of acquired immunity
• Allergens and antibodies
• Autoimmune diseases
• The AIDS epidemic