This course provides students with the opportunity for in-depth study of the concepts and processes that occur in biological systems. Students will study theory and conduct investigations in the areas of biochemistry, metabolic processes, molecular genetics, homeostasis, and population dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on the achievement of detailed knowledge and the refinement of skills needed for further study in various branches of the life sciences and related fields.
A. SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION SKILLS AND CAREER EXPLORATION
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
Throughout this course, students will:
- demonstrate scientific investigation skills (related to both inquiry and research) in the four areas ofskills (initiating and planning, performing and recording, analysing and interpreting, andcommunicating);
- identify and describe careers related to the fields of science under study, and describe contributions of scientists, including Canadians, to those fields.
B. BIOCHEMISTRY
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:
- analyse technological applications of enzymes in some industrial processes, and evaluatetechnological advances in the field of cellular biology;
- investigate the chemical structures, functions, and chemical properties of biological moleculesinvolved in some common cellular processes and biochemical reactions;
- demonstrate an understanding of the structures and functions of biological molecules, and the biochemical reactions required to maintain normal cellular function.
C. METABOLIC PROCESSES
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:
- analyse the role of metabolic processes in the functioning of biotic and abiotic systems, and evaluate the importance of an understanding of these processes and related technologies to personal choicesmade in everyday life;
- investigate the products of metabolic processes such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis;
- demonstrate an understanding of the chemical changes and energy conversions that occur in metabolic processes.
D. MOLECULAR GENETICS
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:
- analysesomeofthesocial,ethical,andlegalissuesassociatedwithgeneticresearchandbiotechnology;
- investigate, through laboratory activities, the structures of cell components and their roles in processes that occur within the cell;
- demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to molecular genetics, and how genetic modificationis applied in industry and agriculture.
E. HOMEOSTASIS
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:
- evaluate the impact on the human body of selected chemical substances and of environmentalfactors related to human activity;
- investigate the feedback mechanisms that maintain homeostasis in living organisms;
- demonstrate an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of human body systems, and explain the mechanisms that enable the body to maintain homeostasis.
F. POPULATION DYNAMICS
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of this course, students will:
- analyse the relationships between population growth, personal consumption, technological development, and our ecological footprint, and assess the effectiveness of some Canadianinitiatives intended to assist expanding populations;
- investigate the characteristics of population growth, and use models to calculate the growth ofpopulations within an ecosystem;
- demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to population growth, and explain the factors that affect the growth of various populations of species.
More please click : SBI4U - Biology
