Chapter 11: Change Over Time
In this chapter students will learn about the scientific theory of evolution and why it helps explain how living things descended from earlier organisms. They will also look at four different forms of evidence scientists use to support evolution. They will learn about Charles Darwin and how observations he made led to his hypothesis about species changing over many generations and become better adapted to new conditions. Also, they look at natural selection and how variations may play a key part in why some traits stay around while others slowly disappear. Students will also look at how new species can form when some individuals remain isolated. Finally, students will look at biodiversity and four factors that affect it along with extinction and why it happens.
Chapter 12:
Genetics and DNA: The Science of Heredity
In this chapter students will be looking at genetic codes to relate how nitrogen bases in a gene help form a genetic code for a specific protein. They will also be looking at the order of the bases in each new DNA strand to see how they "pair up" and match the order in the original DNA strand. Students will look at Gregor Mendel and his work with "disappearing/lost traits". Learning about how an organisms traits are controlled by the alleles it inherits from it parents and how those alleles are dominant or recessive. Students will learn how, in a genetic cross, the alleles from the parents can pass to an offspring based on probability for an organisms physical traits (phenotype) or genetic makeup (genotype). Finally, students will learn how genes pass from parents to offspring on chromosomes and whether the DNA replicates through meiosis or mitosis, based on how different organisms are equipped for survival.
Chapter 13:
Human Genetics and Genetic Technology
Learn about what scientists can do with advances in genetic genetic technology.
Chapter 14:
Populations and Communities
Learn about animals, their surroundings and how they interact with one another. Food pyramid, etc.