Course Description:
Biology is one of two required science classes at MVHS, along with Integrated Science, and is usually taken during 10th grade. The course is divided in to four units:
- Ecology- how diverse organisms relate to each other and their environment.
- Cell Biology- the basic units of all life; the diversity of cells; cell structure and function, and biochemistry.
- Genetics- DNA; the molecular basis of heredity; complex patterns of inheritance; methods and issues surrounding genetic engineering.
- Evolution- how life on earth has changed through time; natural selection; patterns of evolution; the inter-relatedness and classification of organisms.
Assignments and other resources for the first week of class can be found on the Introduction page.
Vocabulary Master List
Organism
Metabolism Homeostasis Adaptation Prokaryote Eukaryote Autotroph Heterotroph |
Biotic Factor
Abiotic Factor Producers Consumers Decomposers Trophic Level Biomass Symbiosis |
Native Species
Exotic Species Invasive Species Community Ecological Succession Climax Community Limiting Factor Tolerance |
Population
Population Density Demography Exponential Growth Carrying Capacity Immigration Emigration Dispersion |
Macromolecule
Carbohydrate Lipid Protein Nucleic Acid DNA Diffusion Osmosis |
Aerobic
Anaerobic Reactants Products ATP Fermentation Mitosis Cytokineses |
DNA
Nucleiotide Double Helix 4 Nitrogenous Bases Semi-conservative Replication DNA Primase DNA Polymerase DNA Ligase
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Gene
Allele Homozygous Heterozygous Incomplete Dominance Codominance Carrier Mutation |