Distinguish between living and nonliving things by describing the features that characterize living organisms
Construct a hierarchy of biological organization, including levels of an individual organism and ecological level (from the microscopic to the macroscopic!)
What is meant by “structure is related to function”?
Everything adapts with certain function for survival. Neurons that function to transmit information is very different from the structure of red blood cells. With the same with canine teeth of carnivorous mammals are adapted for stabbing their prey and ripping flesh. Where herbivorous mammals have teeth adapted for cutting off bits of vegetation and grinding plant material.
Summarize the importance of information transfer to living systems: between species & inside organisms
Discuss homeostasis, including negative and positive feedback mechanisms
Demonstrate the binomial system of nomenclature by Carolus Linneaus and be able to use an example to classify domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species
Identify the six kingdoms of living organisms, and give examples of organisms assigned to each group.
Give a brief overview of the theory of evolution and explain why it is the principal unifying concept in biology
Evolution is the process by which populations of organisms change over time. The scientific theory of evolution has become the most important unifying concept of biology. Because of evolution we have the binomial systems for naming organisms, along with theories of gene pool and natural selection.
Design an experiment to test a given hypothesis, using the procedure and terminology of the scientific method
Compare the physical properties (mass and charge) and locations of electrons, protons, and neutrons; distinguish between the atomic number and the mass number of an element. Be able to use the periodic table to determine the above items
What is an isotope?
An isotope is an element that has the same number of protons and electrons; only the number of neutrons varies.
Define the term electron shell/level, and explain how the number of valence electrons of an atom is related to its chemical properties. Be able to draw an atom using our octet rule!
Describe and understand s & p orbitals.
Distinguish among covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and hydrogen bonds. Compare them in terms of the mechanisms by which they form and their relative bond strengths.
Understand the differences between atoms and ions and be able to determine proton and electron numbers for both. (example Na+ ion has how many protons? electrons?) What is a cation? An anion?
Describe electronegativity (polar and nonpolar covalent)
Explain how hydrogen bonds between adjacent water molecules govern many of the properties of water-(for example polarity, cohesion, ect.)
Describe patterns of chemical reactions. Be able to identify a synthes is reaction (and condensation reaction), a decomposition reaction (and hydrolysis) and an exchange reaction.
In a chemical reaction, be able to identify products, reactants, and be able to balance equations!
Be able to diagram the structural formula of a given molecule. Example: what is the structural formula of CH4? Hint: begin with Lewis structure, then fill in lines. Use atoms and molecules lab as a review.
How do you find molecular mass?
Also known as atomic mass, which is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom; expressed in atomic mass units or daltons.
Describe the properties of water-what makes it a good solvent?
Define hydrophilic and hydrophobic.
Describe the pH scale and contrast acids and bases and discuss their properties. What does pH indicate?