JC 2 Biology

Students will identify the four major classes of biological macromolecules and their basic building blocks.

Students will investigate the structure and function of monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Students will explore the various types of lipids, including fats, phospholipids, and steroids, and their functions.

Students will examine the hierarchical structure of proteins and how their shape determines their function.

Students will understand enzymes as biological catalysts and investigate factors affecting their activity, such as temperature and pH.

Students will analyze the structure of DNA and RNA and their roles in storing and transmitting genetic information.

Students will study the fluid mosaic model and the various components of the cell membrane.

Students will investigate mechanisms of passive and active transport across the cell membrane.

Students will identify and describe the functions of major eukaryotic cell organelles.

Students will compare and contrast the structural and functional differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Students will define key genetic terms and explore the basic principles of inheritance.

Students will apply Mendel's laws of segregation to predict inheritance patterns in monohybrid crosses.

Students will apply Mendel's law of independent assortment to predict inheritance patterns in dihybrid crosses.

Students will explore patterns of inheritance such as incomplete dominance, codominance, and multiple alleles.

Students will investigate inheritance patterns of genes located on sex chromosomes.

Students will understand that chromosomes carry genes and explore the basic relationship between them.

Students will investigate the processes and ethical considerations of genetic engineering.

Students will investigate different types of mutations and their potential effects on organisms.

Students will explore the fundamental concepts of energy flow in living systems and the role of ATP.

Students will investigate the mechanisms of light absorption and energy conversion in photosynthesis.

Students will understand the overall process of photosynthesis, including the raw materials and products.

Students will explore environmental factors that influence the rate of photosynthesis.

Students will examine the breakdown of glucose into pyruvate during glycolysis.

Students will understand the overall process of aerobic cellular respiration, including its raw materials and products.

Students will explore how cells switch between aerobic and anaerobic pathways during intense physical exertion.

Students will examine various lines of evidence supporting the theory of evolution, including fossils and comparative anatomy.

Students will explore the process by which populations become better suited to their environments over time.

Students will investigate different types of adaptations and their role in increasing an organism's fitness.

Students will examine other mechanisms of evolution, including genetic drift and gene flow.

Students will explore the processes by which new species arise, including reproductive isolation.

Students will learn methods used to classify the tree of life and interpret phylogenetic trees.

Students will study large-scale evolutionary trends, including mass extinctions and their causes.

Students will investigate adaptive radiations and their role in increasing biodiversity.

Students will define homeostasis and explore its importance in maintaining internal stability.

Students will examine the organization of the nervous system and the structure of neurons.

Students will investigate the transmission of nerve impulses along neurons and across synapses.

Students will explore the major regions of the brain and their functions, as well as the five senses.

Students will learn about the major endocrine glands and the hormones they produce.

Students will investigate the role of the endocrine system in controlling growth, metabolism, and reproduction through feedback loops.

Students will explore the mechanisms of innate immunity in defending the body against pathogens.

Students will explore the principles of vaccination and its societal impacts on herd immunity.

Students will define key ecological terms and explore the components of an ecosystem.

Students will investigate the flow of energy through various trophic levels in food chains and webs.

Students will explore the cycling of essential nutrients, such as carbon, nitrogen, and water, through ecosystems.

Students will study factors that influence population growth, density, and distribution.

Students will investigate various types of interactions between species within a community, including competition, predation, and symbiosis.

Students will examine the biological consequences of rising global temperatures and habitat loss.

Students will explore the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss, including habitat destruction and pollution.

Students will investigate strategies for the protection of endangered species and the restoration of degraded habitats.

Students will explore how urban environments can be designed to support local wildlife and ecological connectivity.