BIOLOGY SYLLABUS

GENERAL BIOLOGY

STRUCTURE OF ELEMENTS and COMPOUNDS

1.   Atoms and Molecular Structure of Elements and Compounds

        a.   Electrons and Energy Levels

        b.   Electron Bonds

2.   Organic Compounds

        a.   Functional Groups

        b.   Carbohydrates

        c.   Lipids

        d.   Proteins

        e.   Nucleotides/Nucleic Acids

CELLS and ORGANELLES

1.   Cells and Organelles

        a.   Cell Theory

        b.   Structure and Function of Cells and Organelles

        c.   Cell Membrane and Cell Membrane Function

        d.   Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

2.   Energy Inputs and Outputs

        a.   Metabolic Reactions and Pathways

        b.   ATP Synthesis and Enzymes

        c.   Ph Levels and Homeostasis

        d.   Diffusion, Osmosis, Passive, and Active Transport

        e.   Glycolysis

        f.    Krebs Cycle

3.   Cell Reproduction

        a.   Cell Cycle/Mitosis

        b.   Meiosis/Homologues

4.   DNA Structure and Function

        a.   Nucleotide Arrangement/Structure

        b.   DNA replication

        c.   Function of RNA

        d.   Function of Proteins

GENES and HEREDITY     

1.   GENES and HEREDITY

        a.   Mendel's Genetics

        b.   Phenotypes and Genotypes

        c.   Hybrids and Sex Linkage

        d.   Chromosomal Basis for Genetic Variations

        e.   Mutations

        f.   Genetic Engineering

2.  PROBABILITY

        a.  Punnett Squares

        b.  Pedigrees

3.   VIRUSES

        a.  Bacteriophages

EVOLUTION and DIVERSITY

1.   Levels of Organization

        a.   Classifications of Living Things

        b.   Eukaryotes, Prokaryotes, and Bacteria

        c.   Endosymbiosis

2.   Evolution

        a.   Darwin and the Theory of Evolution

        b.   Natural Selection and Adaptation

        c.   Populations and Variation

        d.   Isolation and Speciation

        e.   Morphology and Cladistics

        f.   Extinction

ECOLOGY and ECOSYSTEMS

1.   Populations

        a.  Characteristics of Populations

        b.  Limits on Growth

2.   Communities

        a.   Symbiosis

        b.   Competitive Interactions

        c.   Predator-Prey Interactions

        d.   Parasite-Hosts Interactions

        e.   Biodiversity and Stability

        f.   Conservation

        g.   Biological Clocks

3.  Ecosystems

        a.   Structure of Ecosystems

        b.   Food Chains and Food Webs

        c.   Energy Flow/Trophic Levels

        d.   Water Cycle

        e.   Carbon Cycle

        f.    Nitrogen Cycle

        g.   Phosphorous Cycle

        h.   Global Warming

4.  The Biosphere

        a.   Air Circulation and Climate

        b.   Oceans and Landforms

        c.   Land Biomes/Water Biomes

5.   Behavior of Species

        a.   Genes, Hormones, and and Behavior

        b.   Communication Signals

        c.   Mating Behavior

        d.   Behavior within Social Groups

PLANTS and PHOTOSYNTHESIS

1.   Plants

        a.   Plant Classification

        b.   Angiosperms and Gymnosperms

        c.   Primary Plant Structure

        d.   Flower Structure

        e.   Root Structure

        f.   Asexual and Sexual Reproduction

        g.   Water and Nutrient Transportation

2.   Photosynthesis

        a.   Structure of Chlorophyll

        b.   Chemical Process

        c.   Light and Dark Reactions

GEOLOGICAL TIME

1.   GEOLOGICAL TIME SCALE