Newfoundland & Labrador · Grade 12
Biology 3201
Newfoundland & Labrador’s Grade 12 science course, from Cell Reproduction and the Continuity of Life to Evolutionary Change and Biodiversity.
- Units
- 3
- Lessons
- 7
- Skills
- 30
- Provincial exam
- 15% of the final mark
- Official curriculum
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Education
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, numbered by unit.
Unit 1 · 10 skills
Cell Reproduction and the Continuity of Life
Mitosis, the cell cycle, and cancer
The process of mitosis
I can describe and explain the process of mitosis through its phases and outcomes.
Skill 1.1
The cell cycle and cancer
I can explain the relationship between the regulated cell cycle and the uncontrolled division of cancer.
Skill 1.2
Evaluating medical treatments
I can evaluate the consequences of medical treatments that target dividing cells.
Skill 1.3
Meiosis and gamete formation
The process of meiosis
I can describe and explain meiosis and how it produces four genetically varied haploid cells.
Skill 1.4
Spermatogenesis and oogenesis
I can describe and compare spermatogenesis and oogenesis.
Skill 1.5
Reproductive strategies
I can analyze and explain reproductive strategies and their trade-offs.
Skill 1.6
Human reproduction and development
Human reproductive systems
I can analyze and describe the structure and function of the human male and female reproductive systems.
Skill 1.7
The human reproductive cycle
I can explain the human reproductive (menstrual) cycle and its hormonal control.
Skill 1.8
Development from fertilization to birth
I can describe human development from fertilization through to birth.
Skill 1.9
Reproductive technologies
I can evaluate and describe reproductive technologies and their applications.
Skill 1.10
The official wording · 10 outcomes
- 1.1
- Describe and explain the process of mitosis
- 1.2
- Explain the relationship between the cell cycle and cancer
- 1.3
- Evaluate the consequences of medical treatments
- 1.4
- Describe and explain the process of meiosis
- 1.5
- Describe and compare the processes of spermatogenesis and oogenesis
- 1.6
- Analyze and explain reproductive strategies among living organisms
- 1.7
- Analyze and describe the structure and function of human male and female reproductive systems
- 1.8
- Explain the human reproductive cycle
- 1.9
- Describe the process of human development from fertilization to birth
- 1.10
- Evaluate and describe reproductive technologies
Key ideas
Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.
Meiosis has two divisions (meiosis I and II) producing four haploid cells.
Male system: testes (sperm + testosterone), ducts, and glands.
Phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase (PMAT), then cytokinesis.
Crossing over in prophase I exchanges segments between homologous chromosomes.
Watch out for
- That mitosis creates variation — it produces identical copies (meiosis creates variation).
- That meiosis produces identical cells like mitosis — it produces varied haploid cells.
- That the reproductive organs only produce gametes (they also secrete hormones).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 10 skills
Genetic Basis of Heredity
Genes, crosses, and chromosomes
The concept of the gene
I can summarize the experiments that built the concept of the gene.
Skill 2.1
Mendelian genetics and predicting crosses
I can apply Mendelian genetics to predict the outcomes of genetic crosses.
Skill 2.2
Chromosomes and the transmission of heredity
I can describe how chromosomes transmit hereditary information between cells and generations.
Skill 2.3
Circumstances leading to genetic disorders
I can explain the circumstances that lead to genetic disorders.
Skill 2.4
DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis
Structures of DNA and RNA
I can compare and contrast the structures of DNA and RNA.
Skill 2.5
DNA replication
I can explain the semiconservative replication of DNA.
Skill 2.6
DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis
I can explain the roles of DNA and RNA in protein synthesis through transcription and translation.
Skill 2.7
Effects of mutations
I can predict the effects of mutations on protein synthesis, phenotype, and heredity.
Skill 2.8
Factors causing mutations
I can describe the factors that may cause mutations in a cell's genetic information.
Skill 2.9
Current genetic technologies
I can demonstrate an understanding of current genetic technologies and their uses.
Skill 2.10
The official wording · 10 outcomes
- 2.1
- Summarize the events and experiments that led to the concept of the gene
- 2.2
- Demonstrate an understanding of Mendelian genetics and predict various genetic crosses
- 2.3
- Describe the role of chromosomes in the transmission of hereditary information from one cell to another
- 2.4
- Explain circumstances that lead to genetic disorders
- 2.5
- Compare and contrast the structures of DNA and RNA
- 2.6
- Explain the replication of DNA
- 2.7
- Explain the roles of DNA and RNA in protein synthesis
- 2.8
- Predict the effects of mutations on protein synthesis, phenotypes, and heredity
- 2.9
- Describe factors that may lead to mutations in a cell’s genetic information
- 2.10
- Demonstrate an understanding of current genetic technologies
Key ideas
Mendel inferred discrete 'factors' from pea-plant crosses before genes were known.
DNA is a double helix; RNA is usually single-stranded.
Chromosomes were later shown to carry these factors (chromosome theory).
DNA uses deoxyribose and thymine; RNA uses ribose and uracil.
Griffith, Avery, and Hershey-Chase identified DNA as the hereditary material.
Watch out for
- That genes were seen directly before their function was known — they were inferred.
- That DNA and RNA are interchangeable — they differ in sugar, one base, and strandedness.
- That protein was long assumed to be the genetic material (it was, until DNA was shown).
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 10 skills
Evolutionary Change and Biodiversity
Natural selection and the evidence for evolution
Genetic variation and natural selection
I can analyze how genetic variation and natural selection shape biodiversity.
Skill 3.1
Historical and cultural context of evolutionary ideas
I can describe the historical and cultural contexts that shaped evolutionary concepts.
Skill 3.2
Explanations for changes in populations
I can compare different explanations for how populations change over time.
Skill 3.3
Evidence for evolution by natural selection
I can evaluate and describe the lines of evidence supporting evolution by natural selection.
Skill 3.4
Speciation, pace, and population genetics
How species evolve
I can describe how species evolve through reproductive isolation.
Skill 3.5
The pace of evolution
I can compare and contrast the models describing the pace of evolution.
Skill 3.6
The Hardy-Weinberg principle
I can use the Hardy-Weinberg principle to test whether a population is undergoing microevolution.
Skill 3.7
Causes of gene-pool change
I can analyze the causes of gene-pool change in a population.
Skill 3.8
Principles of taxonomy
I can demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of taxonomy.
Skill 3.9
Comparative anatomy and evolutionary trends
I can examine and describe representative organisms' anatomy to identify evolutionary milestones and trends.
Skill 3.10
The official wording · 10 outcomes
- 3.1
- Analyze the effects of genetic variation and natural selection on biodiversity
- 3.2
- Describe historical and cultural contexts that have changed evolutionary concepts
- 3.3
- Compare different explanations for changes in populations over time
- 3.4
- Evaluate and describe evidence to support the theory of evolution by natural selection
- 3.5
- Describe how species evolve
- 3.6
- Compare and contrast models describing the pace of evolution
- 3.7
- Describe how the Hardy-Weinberg principle is used to determine whether a population is undergoing microevolution
- 3.8
- Analyze causes of gene pool change
- 3.9
- Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of taxonomy
- 3.10
- Examine and describe the anatomy and physiology of representative organisms, identifying and describing evolutionary milestones and trends
Key ideas
Variation within a population is the raw material for selection.
A species is a group that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
Individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more (differential success).
Reproductive isolation (prezygotic and postzygotic) blocks gene flow.
Over generations, favourable alleles increase in frequency.
Watch out for
- That individuals evolve during their lifetime — populations evolve across generations.
- That new species appear suddenly in one generation.
- That organisms develop traits because they 'need' them (variation exists first).
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.
The mark you need
Your class mark counts for 85% of the final mark, the exam for 15%.
You need
42% on the exam
With 75% in class, your final mark lands between 63.8% (0 on the exam) and 78.8% (100% on it).
Which course?
Newfoundland & Labrador has 6 science courses for Grade 12. Here they are side by side.
- Biology 3201This course3 units · 30 skillsBiology 3201 Public ExamWhat it coversCell Reproduction and the Continuity of Life · Genetic Basis of Heredity · Evolutionary Change and Biodiversity
- Chemistry 32024 units · 36 skillsChemistry 3202 Public ExamWhat it coversFrom Kinetics to Equilibrium · Acids and Bases · Thermochemistry · Electrochemistry
- Earth Systems 32095 units · 41 skillsEarth Systems 3209 Public ExamWhat it coversIntroduction to Earth Science · Historical Geology · Earth Materials · The Forces within Earth · Earth Resources: Real-Life Applications
- Environmental Science 32055 units · 53 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversIntroduction to Environmental Science · Recreation and The Environment · Land Use and the Environment · Water Use and the Environment · The Atmosphere and the Environment
- Physics 32044 units · 27 skillsPhysics 3204 Public ExamWhat it coversMotion · Forces · Fields · Introduction to Quantum Physics
- Science 32002 units · 30 skillsNo provincial examWhat it coversPhysical Science: Matter and Chemical Change · Physical Science: Motion
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 Newfoundland & Labrador’s own curriculum for Biology 3201.
Study it in MapleMind
MapleMind teaches Biology 3201 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 3201 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
- 26
- Fillable fields
- 1,360
- Price
- $4.99
Questions about Biology 3201
What is Biology 3201?
Newfoundland & Labrador’s Grade 12 science course: 3 units and 30 skills, from Cell Reproduction and the Continuity of Life to Evolutionary Change and Biodiversity.
What units are in Biology 3201?
1. Cell Reproduction and the Continuity of Life, 2. Genetic Basis of Heredity and 3. Evolutionary Change and Biodiversity.
Is there a provincial exam for Biology 3201?
Yes. The Biology 3201 Public Exam counts for 15% of the final mark. Next sitting: January 25, 2027.
Can MapleMind help with Biology 3201?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Biology 3201, 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 3201
Practise every skill of Biology 3201 in MapleMind, free with daily limits.
