Course Description
This course applies a broad,
conceptual understanding of biology. Students are introduced to scientific
ideologies and concepts that not only shape our biological world, but also
shape us as humans. Students examine the scientific method, evolution and
biodiversity, the biology of cells, energy systems, the dynamics of
inheritance, and the effect humans have on the environment. The text emphasizes
methods and the theoretical foundations of ideas, while minimizing isolated
facts. It stresses the integration of ideas, making connections that form our understanding
of the living world.
Policies
Faculty and
students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to
all policies contained within the following two documents:
·
Instructor
policies: This document is posted in the Course
Materials forum.
University policies
are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each
class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which
you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies
governing your current class modality.
Course Materials
Simon, E. J., Reece, J. B., & Dickey,
J. L. (2010). Campbell essential biology
with physiology (3rd
ed.). San
Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
All electronic materials are
available on the student website.
Week
One: Introduction to Biology and the Scientific Method
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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1.1 Identify characteristics of living organisms.
1.2 Describe the levels of life and the three domains of living
organisms.
1.3 Apply each step of the scientific method.
1.4 Describe atomic structure and organic compounds.
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Course Preparation
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Read the course description and
objectives.
Read the instructor’s biography and
post your own.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 1 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
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Read the “Fluoride in the Water” and “Some
Basic Chemistry” sections of Ch. 2 of Campbell
Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 3 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
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Read the University of Phoenix
Material: Discussing Controversial Topics located on the student website.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Process
of Science
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Listen to the Process of Science MP3
recording located on the student website.
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Individual
Levels
of Life
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Complete the Levels of Life Worksheet
located on the student website.
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Day 5
01/24/14
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100
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Individual
The
Scientific Method
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Complete the Scientific Method
activity on the student website.
Write a 350-word paper on the
scientific method. Include the following:
·
Describe how you applied the
steps of the scientific method in the activity.
·
Describe a real-life problem
where you have or could have used the steps of the scientific method to solve
the problem. Include the steps involved in solving the problem.
Format your paper consistent with APA
guidelines.
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Day 7
01/26/14
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90
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Week
Two: Cells
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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2.1 Compare the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
2.2 Differentiate between plant and animal cells.
2.3 Describe photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
2.4 Describe mitosis and meiosis.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 4 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 6 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 7 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 8 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Participation
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Participate in class discussion.
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01/27/14–
02/02/14
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10
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Discussion Questions
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Respond to
weekly discussion questions.
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Day 2
01/28/14Day
4
01/30/14
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10
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Mitosis
and Meiosis
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Listen to the following MP3 recordings
located on the student website:
·
“Mitosis”
·
“Meiosis”
·
“Comparing Mitosis and
Meiosis”
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Animal and Plant Cells
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Watch the following videos located on the
student website:
·
“Tour of a Plant Cell”
·
“Tour of an Animal Cell”
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
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Watch the following videos located on the
student website:
·
“Overview of Cellular
Respiration”
·
“Cellular Respiration”
·
“Overview of Photosynthesis”
·
“Photosynthesis”
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Cellular Reproduction
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Watch the following videos located on
the student website:
·
“Mitosis & Cytokinesis
Animation”
·
“Meiosis Animation”
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Individual
Cells
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Complete the Prokaryotic and
Eukaryotic Cells activity on the student website.
Complete the Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
Cells Worksheet.
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Day 7
02/02/14
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30
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Week
Three: Cells, continued
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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3.1 Compare the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
3.2 Differentiate between plant and animal cells.
3.3 Describe photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
3.4 Describe mitosis and meiosis.
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Individual
Cell
Energy
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Complete the Cell Energy Worksheet.
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Day 5
02/07/14
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90
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Individual
Cell
Reproduction
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Create a multimedia presentation
wherein you answer the following questions:
·
What types of cells and
organisms undergo mitosis and meiosis?
·
When do organisms use each
process?
·
Review the illustration of
each process in Figure 8.15 in Ch. 8 of Campbell
Essential Biology With Physiology. In which phases do the important
differences occur? How do these differences affect the end results?
·
What would happen to an
organism if either process stopped?
Examples of multimedia
presentation tools include the following:
·
Voki™ speaking avatars
·
Microsoft®
PowerPoint® presentations of at least 5 slides with detailed
speaker notes
·
Prezi™ presentations
·
VoiceThread™ collaborative
multimedia slide shows
·
Digital StorytellerSM movies
·
Glogster™ interactive posters
·
Websites
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Day 7
02/09/14
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100
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Week
Four: DNA, Chromosomes, and Genetics
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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4.1 Describe the principles of genetics.
4.2 Apply the principles of Mendelian genetics.
4.3 Explain the role of chromosomes in inheritance.
4.4 Describe the structure and function of DNA.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 9 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 10 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Participation
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Participate in class discussion.
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02/10/14–
02/16/14
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10
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Discussion Questions
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Respond to
weekly discussion questions.
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Day 2
02/11/14Day
4
02/13/14
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10
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Chromosomal
Basis of Inheritance
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Listen to the “Chromosomal Basis of
Inheritance” MP3 recording located on the student website.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
DNA
to RNA to Protein
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Listen to the “DNA to RNA to Protein”
MP3 recording located on the student website.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Protein Synthesis
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Watch the following videos located on the
student website:
·
“Overview of Protein
Synthesis”
·
“Protein Synthesis”
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Punnett Squares
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Complete the Punnett Square activity located
on the student website.
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Week
Five: DNA, Chromosomes, and Genetics, continued
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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5.1 Describe the principles of genetics.
5.2 Apply the principles of Mendelian genetics.
5.3 Explain the role of chromosomes in inheritance.
5.4 Describe the structure and function of DNA.
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Individual
DNA
Assignment
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Complete the DNA Worksheet located on
the student website.
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Day 5
02/21/14
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70
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Individual
Genetics
Assignment
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Complete the Genetics Worksheet
located on the student website.
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Day 7
02/23/14
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100
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Week
Six: Evolution and Physiology
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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6.1 Explain the role of natural selection in evolution.
6.2 Describe the evidence in support of evolution by natural
selection.
6.3 Explain how new species evolve.
6.4 Explain how organisms evolved physiologically in response to their
environment.
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Reading
|
Read the following sections in Ch. 13
of Campbell Essential Biology With
Physiology:
·
“Biology and Society:
Evolution in Action”
·
“Charles Darwin and The Origin of Species”
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Reading
|
Read the following sections in Ch. 13
of Campbell Essential Biology With
Physiology:
·
“Evidence of Evolution”
·
“Natural Selection”
·
“Mechanisms of Evolution”
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Reading
|
Read the following sections in Ch. 14
of Campbell Essential Biology With
Physiology.
·
“Biology and Society: Mass
Extinctions”
·
“Macroevolution and the
Diversity of Life”
·
“The Origin of Species”
·
“The Evolution of Biological
Novelty”
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Reading
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Read Ch. 17 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 21 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Participation
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Participate in class discussion.
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02/24/14–
03/02/14
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10
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Discussion Questions
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Respond to
weekly discussion questions.
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Day 2
02/25/14Day
4
02/27/14
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10
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Natural
Selection
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Listen to the “Natural Selection” MP3
recording located on the student website.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Speciation
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Listen to the “Speciation” MP3
recording located on the student website.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Animal
Structure
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Listen to the “Animal Structure” MP3
recording located on the student website.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
The Mechanisms of Evolution – Natural Selection
Camouflage
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Watch the “Mechanisms of Evolution –
Natural Selection: Camouflage” video located on the student website.
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Week
Seven: Evolution and Physiology, continued
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Details
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Due
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Points
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Objectives
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7.1 Explain the role of natural selection in evolution.
7.2 Describe the evidence in support of evolution by natural selection.
7.3 Explain how new species evolve.
7.4 Explain how organisms evolved physiologically in response to their
environment.
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Individual
Physiology
Assignment
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Locate a diagram of the internal
anatomy of an organism with the main organs and structures labeled.
Write a 350- to 700-word paper
explaining how the organism in the diagram has evolved physiologically to
become suited to its environment.
Reference the diagram in your paper.
Format your paper consistent with APA
guidelines.
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Day 5
03/07/14
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70
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Individual
Evolution
Assignment
|
Resource: “The Origin of Species”
section in Ch. 14 of Campbell Essential
Biology With Physiology
Choose a species to research.
Create a 7- to 10-slide Microsoft®
PowerPoint® presentation about your chosen species.
Include the following in your
presentation:
·
How may your species have
evolved?
·
Describe the mechanism of
speciation, in general, and apply the mechanism to the species you researched.
·
Include evidence that
supports your speciation hypothesis.
·
What role does natural
selection play with this species? What role does it play with evolution in
general? Does that apply to this species?
·
Include detailed speaker
notes.
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Day 7
03/09/14
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100
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Week
Eight: Ecology and Biodiversity
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Details
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Due
|
Points
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Objectives
|
8.1 Describe the basic structure and interactions of a healthy
ecosystem.
8.2 Differentiate between logistic and exponential growth.
8.3 Recognize the importance of biodiversity.
8.4 Explain a threat to biodiversity.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 18 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
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Read Ch. 19 of Campbell Essential Biology With Physiology.
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Reading
|
Read the following sections in Ch. 20
of Campbell Essential Biology With
Physiology:
·
“Biology and Society: The
Loss of Biodiversity”
·
“The Loss of Biodiversity”
·
“Trophic Structure”
·
“Ecosystem Ecology”
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Participation
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Participate in class discussion.
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03/10/14
– 03/16/14
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10
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Discussion Questions
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Respond to
weekly discussion questions.
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Day 2
03/11/14
Day 4
03/13/14
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10
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Ecological
Hierarchy
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Listen to the “Ecological Hierarchy”
MP3 recording located on the student website.
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Nongraded Activities and Preparation
Global
Warming
|
Listen to the “Global Warming” MP3
recording located on the student website.
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Week
Nine: Ecology and Biodiversity, continued
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Details
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Due
|
Points
|
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Objectives
|
9.1 Describe the basic structure and interactions of a healthy
ecosystem.
9.2 Differentiate between logistic and exponential growth.
9.3 Recognize the importance of biodiversity.
9.4 Explain a threat to biodiversity.
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Individual
Human
Population Growth
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Write a total of 150- to 300-words
in response to the following:
·
Explain the two types of
population growth.
·
Analyze the type of growth
exhibited by the human population and its effect on the environment.
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Day 5
03/21/14
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70
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Individual
Food
Web Diagram
|
Create a diagram in which you
illustrate the energy flow among organisms of a food chain in a particular
ecosystem.
Select an ecosystem, such as a
temperate forest, desert
biome, or the Everglades.
Determine the interdependency of life
in your ecosystem by examining its
organisms.
Include the following:
·
List the organisms that can
be found in your ecosystem. What is the benefit of this biodiversity?
·
Label major organisms that
live in your selected ecosystem: P
for producers, C for consumers, and
D for decomposers.
Write a summary of your food chain
that:
·
Describes the major
categories of organisms: producers, consumers, and decomposers.
·
Describes the interactions
between organisms in your ecosystem.
·
Evaluates potential hazards
caused by humans that might affect your ecosystem’s stability, such as
environmental pollution. What effect does this hazard have on the biodiversity
in your ecosystem?
·
Lists the abiotic factors
present in your ecosystem.
·
Describes the food chains
associated with your ecosystem. Address the following items:
o
Name of the plant or animal
o
What it eats
o
What eats it
o
How it has adapted to the ecosystem
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Day 7
03/23/14
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100
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Optional Discussion Questions
Week Two Discussion Questions
·
Why is it important to
differentiate between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells? What do you think is
the biggest difference between the two?
·
For the cell process assigned
to you by your instructor (mitosis, meiosis, photosynthesis or cell
respiration), answer the following:
o
What is the purpose of the cell
process?
o
What would happen to the cell
and the organism if the process stopped occurring?
o
Can you think of another way
the cell could achieve this process?
Week Four Discussion Questions
·
Select two of Mendel’s four
hypotheses that are described in Ch. 9 of Campbell
Essential Biology With Physiology. How could you rewrite these in your own
words? Find an example that illustrates the hypotheses.
·
Choose a trait or disorder
controlled by one gene. Briefly describe the trait and identify whether it is
inherited as a dominant, recessive, or sex-linked trait. What would a pedigree
of this trait look like?
·
Why is DNA sequencing
important?
Week Six Discussion Questions
·
Review the “Natural Selection”
section in Ch. 13 of Campbell Essential
Biology With Physiology. Organisms
have evolved physiologically and anatomically to adapt to their environment. Select
one species from the text or another source. How have their traits evolved by
natural selection to maximize their ability to maintain homeostasis and
equilibrium?
·
What are two examples of
evidence that support the theory of evolution by natural selection? One example
should relate to the anatomy or physiology of animals. Locate a website that
discusses the evolution of a new species. Do you agree this is a new species,
or is it diversity within the same species? Explain your answer.
Week Eight Discussion Questions
·
Describe your local ecosystem
or an ecosystem that is important to you, including its hierarchy of
interactions and its biodiversity. How is the ecosystem dependent on the
biodiversity? Explain one threat to that biodiversity.
·
Are all threats to biodiversity
caused by humans?
Copyright
University of Phoenix® is a
registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States
Microsoft®, Windows®, and
Windows NT® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
Edited in accordance with
University of Phoenix® editorial standards and practices.
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