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Living Environment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Biology is the study of life. In this course the students will gain an understanding of living organisms, including humans, and of the living environment around them. Having this understanding will enable the students to make informed decisions about their own health and the environment around them. This course is designed for the Living Environment Core Curriculum based on the New York State Learning Standards at the commencement level. It emphasizes the seven ideas of Standard Four which includes interaction and interdependence, genetics, evolution, reproduction and development, homeostasis, ecology and human influence on the physical and living environment. Students also learn about methods used to conduct scientific research to fulfill Standard One and Two requirements.
Students demonstrate their proficiency through essays, position statements, lab reports and projects.
To receive Regents credit for this Biology course the student must have the required number of laboratory experiences as required by the state. If the student is deficient in labs, he/she will not be able to sit for the Regents Exam in June. The teacher will make the student aware of the required number of labs but it is the student's responsibility to make sure all labs are handed in and remain on file with the teacher.
Course topics for Biology (Living Environment)
Genetics- examines DNA structure and function. We see how it is transferred from generation to generation through chromosomes which contain genes that code for various proteins.
Unity and Diversity- shows that all organisms, from the simplest ameba to the human have strategies for carrying out life functions. It’s about cells, their organization and their functions.
Evolution- presents the evidence that organisms have struggled to survive in the this world’s environment for billions of years. The mechanism of natural selection allows us to see how those changes have occurred in various organisms on the planet Earth.
Scientific Thinking- looks at the way science is done through research techniques and experimental design. We examine and use lab equipment to carry out experiments and gather data.
Reproduction and development- examines the various strategies that various organisms( plants, protists, monerans, animals, etc) use to continue their species.
Ecology- looks at the interactions among all of the living and non living components of the planet Earth. We examine the tremendous affect that humans have on all aspects of life on earth.
Homeostasis- is a host of survival mechanisms common to all organisms. No matter what happens to throw off the dynamic balance of the various life processes, the organism must develop a method of bringing things back to normal. If it is not successful in its attempt, it will not survive.
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