Biology 12

Unit 1: Maintaining Dynamic Equilibrium II

Homeostasis at the cellular and molecular level: the nervous and endocrine systems, the biochemistry of hormones and enzymes, feedback mechanisms, and the impact of disease, drugs, and technology on internal balance.

• Plant and animal systems maintaining homeostasis
• Water, glucose, and ATP in living systems
• Investigating the nervous system
• Structure and dynamics of the nervous system

• Disease and homeostasis
• Drugs, technology, and homeostasis over time
• Treatments for vision and hearing
• Protein and steroid hormones
• Enzymes in cellular metabolism
• Investigating the endocrine system
• Feedback mechanisms in homeostasis
• Contributions to homeostasis science

Unit 2: Reproduction and Development

Cell division and reproduction: mitosis and meiosis, genetic and reproductive technologies, cancer treatments, the anatomy and physiology of reproductive systems, and human reproductive cycles.

• Experimenting on plant materials
• Mitosis and meiosis in detail
• Cell-based genetic technologies
• Radiation therapy and chemotherapy

• Mammalian reproductive systems
• Analyzing the human reproductive cycles
• Current reproductive technologies
• Evaluating reproductive technologies
• Reproductive cycles and technology impact

Unit 3: Genetic Continuity

From genes to phenotypes: the history of the gene concept, chromosomes and inheritance, DNA structure and replication, protein synthesis, mutations, Mendelian genetics, genetic disease, and the science and ethics of genetic engineering.

• The discovery of the gene
• Chromosomes and inheritance
• DNA, RNA, replication, and protein synthesis
• Mutations and their effects

• Mendelian crosses
• Causes of genetic disease
• Arguing about genetic engineering
• Genetics-based technology development
• The Human Genome Project
• Defending a position on genetic modification

Unit 4: Evolution, Change, and Diversity

The theory of evolution as a changing, evidence-driven science: peer review and shifting concepts (gradualism vs punctuated equilibrium), the role of evidence and paradigms, and the evidence and arguments for the origin, development, and diversity of life.

• Peer review and evolutionary concepts
• Evidence, theories, and paradigms
• Constructing arguments for diversity
• Origin, development, and diversity of life