Unit C: Cycling of Matter in Living Systems
Overview: The fundamental unit of life, the cell, is an example of an efficient open system comprised of a cell membrane and organelles that carry out the basic functions of all living organisms. Students will learn that technological advancements in microscopy have enhanced the study of cells and cellular processes. The understanding of life processes at the cellular level can also be applied to multicellular organisms.
This Unit Builds On:
Course Focus: We will spend ~25% of the course on this unit.
Students Will:
Key Concepts:
This Unit Builds On:
- Grade 7 Science, Unit C: Heat and Temperature
- Grade 8 Science, Unit B: Cells and Systems
Course Focus: We will spend ~25% of the course on this unit.
Students Will:
- Explain the relationship between developments in imaging technology and the current understanding of the cell.
- Describe the function of cell organelles and structures in a cell, in terms of life processes, and use models to explain these processes and their applications.
- Analyze plants as an example of a multicellular organism with specialized structures at the cellular, tissue and system levels.
Key Concepts:
- microscopy and the emergence of cell theory
- cellular structures and functions, and technological applications
- active and passive transport of matter
- relationship between cell size and shape, and surface area to volume ratio
- use of explanatory and visual models in science
- cell specialization in multicellular organisms (i.e., plants)
- mechanisms of transport, gas exchange, and environmental response in multicellular organisms (i.e., plants)