Unit 1 - Life
Required:
Recommended:
- From Chemical to Biological Evolution: The Impact of Life on Earth Systems,
Lecture notes, from University of Michigan - “Searching for Life in the Universe” by CU-Boulder’s own Bruce Jakosky
- “The Origin of Life on Earth” by Leslie Orgel
- Tutorials on basic chemistry and large molecules from The Biology Project
chemistry
large molecules
Required:
Optional
For more detailed information on DAN structure and how it was discovered:
For more detailed information on how it was determined that DNA, rather than protein, is the genetic material:
If you want to learn more about how cells generate ATP, read these resources on photosynthesis and cellular respiration:
Biology Project Tutorials and Problem Sets on Energy, Metabolism and Photosynthesis:
Optional:
For additional information on organelles and their function:
- Kimball Online Text
A link to each organelle is provided under cell biology
For additional information on differences between bacteria, animal and plant cells
For information on archea cells (not covered in class)
- Kimball Online Text
section on the evolutionary position of archea shows characteristics they share with bacteria or eucarya
- Being Alive! A lesson intended for early eolementary school students that asks, What is and isn't alive?
- Nanobes. A group of small entities that may or may not be alive.
- What's Alive? Description of a book for 4-8 year-olds that might be useful.
- We've Got Company. An interview about astrobiology with David Darling, author of Life Everywhere.
- Just Add Water. Is this dried-out animal alive?
- What Do You Mean, 'It's Just Like a Real Dog'? A New York Times, Learning network presentation on how children judge living versus nonliving, especially in this era of lifelike robotic machines.
- Characteristics of Living Things. Is this Utah State Science Core curriculum page for 7th grade adequate? What about viruses?
- Is a Virus Alive?
Daily Class Schedule and Unit Outline
(Click here to download a one-page, printable PDF version of just this Schedule and Outline)
3.1 Students know and understand the characteristics of living things, the diversity of life, and how living things interact with each other and with their environment.
3.2 Students know and understand interrelationships of matter and energy in living systems.
Objectives:
Students should be able to:
- Describe why a particular thing is living or non-living. Describe characteristics of living organisms.
- Describe structure and function of basic cell components and organelles.
- Describe differences between bacteria and eucarya.
- Describe DNA structure and function.
- Understand the role of ATP.
Dates: 1/14 – 1/30
Primary Instructors: Messier and Swihart
Total Possible points: 210
DAY ONE – January 14
In-Class Activities:
- Exploration: “Living or not” - part 1 (10 points)
Out-of-Class Activities Assigned, due on the last day--day five--of this Unit - January 30:
- Application: “Living or not” - part two (40 points)
Readings Assigned that are due January 16
DAY TWO – January 16
In-Class Activities:
- Expansion I: “Basic Biochemistry and the Origin of Life” – lecture (10 points)
- Expansion II: “DNA Isolation” (10 points)
- Expansion III: “DNA structure” (15 points)
Out-of-Class Activities Assigned:
- DNA molecule construction - completed molecule is due next class, January 23 (15 points)
Readings Assigned that are due January 23
DAY THREE – January 23
Homework Due Reminder: Completed DNA molecule
In-Class Activities:
- Expansion IV: “DNA and Protein Function” (10 pts)
- Expansion V: “Energy and the Cell” – lab activity and lecture (20 pts)
- Expansion VI: “Using a Microscope” (10 pts)
Readings Assigned that are due January 28
DAY FOUR – January 28
In-Class Activities:
- Expansion VII: “Cell Structure and Function” – lab activity (35 pts)
Out-of-Class Activities Assigned:
- Application: “Cell Analogy Collage” is due next class, January 30 (20 pts)
Readings Assigned: that are due January 30
DAY FIVE – January 30
Homework Due Reminder:
- “Cell Analogy Collage”
- “Living or Not” Part Two
In-Class Activities:
- Students present Cell Analogy Collages
- Discussion of “Living or Not” Part Two
- Guided Reflection: What did we learn in this unit? (15 pts)