WHS Biology Curriculum Guide

This is a first year introductory biology course that explores fundamental concepts through real world examples & scenarios. Students will engage in data analysis and deepen critical thinking skills while studying biology disciplines including biochemistry, cellular biology, human body systems, genetics, evolution, and ecology. These skills will develop through learning about topics in the context of phenomena scenarios to develop a cohesive, interconnected understanding of foundational biology concepts.

Unit	Timeframe	Driving Questions	Major Learning Experiences from Unit
Unit 1 African Lions	September & October, six weeks	How do we know which organisms are related to each other? Can organisms in one family group be related to organisms in a separate family group? What evidence would you need to support these conclusions? How do organisms obtain energy and the essential molecular components for life? How do humans impact ecosystems, such as savannah food webs?	Life of a Hunter - energy consumption modeling LuLu the Lioness Pride Genetics Animal Nutrition & Digestive Systems Lab Organic Macromolecule Food Testing Lab Lactase Enzyme Activity Lab Introducing Human Disturbances in Food Webs & Ecosystems
Unit 2 African Elephants	November & December, six weeks	What factors impact populations? How do keystone species influence populations? Are seeds alive? What are the characteristics of living organisms? What do plants need to survive? How do plants obtain energy? How do organisms obtain energy and convert it to usable forms?	CSI Wildlife & Gel Electrophoresis Lab Elephant Poop Lab Plant Growth/Mitosis Lab Photosynthesis Lab Cellular Respiration Lab Energy Pyramids Modeling
Unit 3 Homeostasis	January & February, six weeks	How do ecosystems maintain homeostasis? What limits populations, including carrying capacity? What biotic/abiotic factors can affect ecosystems? What are human impacts on ecosystems? How do organisms maintain homeostasis? What impact does a decrease in pH have on organisms? How do nutrients cycle in the ecosystem? What do cells need to complete cellular respiration? How are homeostatic processes in humans similar to those in other species?	DNA Fingerprinting Sorting Activity Food Web Construction & Keystone Models What happened to the Sea Urchin Abiotic Factors Lab Egg Lab Excretory System Activity Human Dive Response Lab Respiratory & Circulatory System Activity Nervous System Lab Frog Dissection
Unit 4 Melanin	March and April, six weeks	How do traits vary among individuals? How can children from the same parents be so different? How is albinism passed down from parents? What are the shapes of proteins? What causes differences in skin color? What is the role of the environment? How is melanin adaptive in other species?	Albinism Lab Karyotype Activity Protein Folding and Modeling Activity Human Skin Color Exploration and CER Ultraviolet Light Radiation, Vitamin D, Folate, and Human Migration Data analysis/CER Starburst Natural Selection Activity Natural Selection of Rock Pocket Mice Activity Bean Eaters Lab Strawberry DNA Extraction Lab
Unit 5 Disease	May and June, six weeks	How are cancer cells different from “normal” cells? How do cells become a tumor and cancerous? How does a cell know when to divide and not to divide? What could lead to division proceeding incorrectly? Why do cells need to die? How are various versions of cell division involved in the human life cycle? How are mitosis and meiosis different? Are all viruses the same?	Mitosis Flip-book DNA Replication K’Nex Activity Replication Modeling Lab Do Animals Get Cancer Modeling Meiosis - Silverware activity Virus Modeling

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WHS Biology Curriculum Guide