Results

Learn about DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Overview of DNA bases, complementary base pairing, and the structure of the double helix.

Enzymes as catalysts for reactions in biological systems; discussion of substrates, active sites, induced fit, and activation energy.

From the extinction of the dinosaurs to humanity.

Introduction to the cell.

Molecular structure of DNA. Nucleotide. Nitrogenous base, phosphate.

Outcomes:

• Determine which mutations are favored by the selection agents of predators and food variety and which mutations are neutral.
• Describe which traits change the survivability of an organism in different environments.
• Experiment with environments which produce a stable population of bunnies, a population that dies out, and a population that takes over the world.
• Track genes through multiple generations.
• Compare how dominant and recessive genes get passed onto offspring.

Meiosis is a process that creates sex cells (gametes) with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell. Meiosis has two stages: meiosis I and meiosis II. In meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material (crossing over). In meiosis II, sister chromatids separate, creating four haploid cells.

How homologous chromosomes separate into two sets. Prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, and telophase I.

Even though molecules, proteins, viruses, and cells are all tiny, there are significant size differences between them. The diameter of a water molecule is roughly 0.28 nanometers. The diameter of the protein hemoglobin is roughly 5 nanometers. The diameter of the HIV virus is roughly 120 nanometers. A red blood cell is 6-8 micrometers.

Skeletons support and protect our bodies. Bugs have exoskeletons outside their bodies, while humans have endoskeletons inside. Our bones are in axial (skull, ribcage, spine) and appendicular (arms, legs) groups. Bone marrow makes blood cells; more specifically, red marrow makes blood and yellow marrow stores fat.