1

DESCRIPTION

Presents a general review of biology, the study of living things. Recalls some past and present biological accomplishments. Offers a broad-ranging look at the many different fields of biology; briefly profiles famous biologists. Focuses on genetics, molecular biology, marine biology, and wildlife biology.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Subject Area: Science

• Standard: Understands the genetic basis for the transfer of biological characteristics from one generation to the next

§ Benchmark: Knows that reproduction is a characteristic of all living things and is essential to the continuation of a species (See Instructional Goal #1)

§ Benchmark: Knows that hereditary information is contained in genes (located in the chromosomes of each cell), each of which carries a single unit of information; an inherited trait of an individual can be determined by either one or many genes, and a single gene can influence more than one trait (See Instructional Goal #4)

§ Benchmark: Knows the chemical and structural properties of DNA and its role in specifying the characteristics of an organism (See Instructional Goal #5)

• Standard: Knows about the diversity and unity that characterize life

§ Benchmark: Knows how variation of organisms within a species increases the chance of survival of the species, and how the great diversity of species on Earth increases the chance of survival of life in the event of major global changes (See Instructional Goal #7)

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS

1. To list the traits of living things. 2. To identify the various branches of biology and distinguish between them. 3. To identify the key figures in the development of modern biology. 4. To explain the function of genes and the role they play in the transfer of traits. 5. To identify the structure of DNA as a double helix. 6. To explain the function of ATP. 7. To explain Darwin’s theory of evolution. 8. To understand why biology is essential to knowing how to be better caretakers of the earth.

VOCABULARY

1. ATP 2. biochemists 3. biologists 4. biomes 5. catalysts 6. cell 7. chemists 8. chemosynthesis

2

9. Darwin 10. DNA 11. ecologists 12. enzymes 13. evolution 14. gene 15. geneticist 16. genetics 17. marine biologist 18. Mendel 19. molecular biologist 20. molecules 21. natural selection 22. organisms 23. photosynthesis 24. photovoltaic 25. reproduction 26. taxonomist 27. traits 28. virologists

BEFORE SHOWING

1. Display a list of words that begin with bio-. a. Include words such as biography, biochemistry, biosphere, biocide, and biome . b. Discuss the meaning of each and introduce the meaning of biology.

2. Discuss the following: “Life can do without us, but we cannot do without it.” 3. Design an organizational web showing the various branches of biology, including those mentioned in the

video. 4. Complete a Match the Word worksheet before or during the video. (See INSTRUCTIONAL

GRAPHICS.)

DURING SHOWING

Discussion Items and Questions

1. View the video more than once, with one showing uninterrupted. 2. Pause at the pictures of the following scientists and point out the contributions each made:

a. Charles Darwin b. Gregor Mendel c. John Watson and Francis Crick d. Albert Einstein e. Werner Heisenberg

3. Pause at the end of the section about the traits shared by all living things. Discuss the major difference between how animals and plants use food to convert to energy. a. Review the list. b. List any other traits all living things share which are not mentioned in the video.

3

AFTER SHOWING

Discussion Items and Questions

1. What is the technical name for biologists who classify species of plants or animals? 2. What is the technical name for scientists who study how the molecules of life interact? 3. What is the difference between the molecules that make up living things and those that make up non-

living things? 4. Where do scientists believe the first molecules came into existence? 5. What molecule has a double helix structure? 6. What is the technical name for biologists who study the function and effect of DNA? 7. What is the name for molecules that contain the coded blueprints of life? 8. What are enzymes? 9. What is a biome?

10. What is the technical name for biologists who study biomes? 11. What is the technical name for biologists who study the biomes of aquatic species? 12. What famous paper did Charles Darwin write? 13. What is natural selection and how does it help explain evolution? 14. Who is given credit for helping to explain how traits are passed from one generation to the next? 15. With what plant did Mendel do his experiments? 16. In what year did Watson and Crick built a model of DNA? 17. What is genetic engineering? 18. What are some diseases that are genetic in origin? 19. The Human Genome Project was established in 1988. What is its goal? 20. What is the technical name for biologists who specialize in viruses? 21. Why is it difficult to fight cures for diseases caused by viruses? 22. Why are scientists studying the structure and genetic makeup of nonhuman organisms? 23. What are photovoltaic cells and why is research being done with them? 24. For what does ATP stand? 25. What is the function of the ATP molecules? 26. What is the technical term for enzymes that speed up chemical reactions in a cell and remain unaffected

by the process? 27. What will happen if a cell cannot properly produce a required enzyme for adequate functioning? 28. What are some important nutritional and economic resources harvested from the sea? 29. How can overharvesting of these resources occur? 30. What are some of the reasons salmon in the Pacific Northwest are dwindling in number? 31. Alvin is a special submarine used for deep-sea explorations. How far down can it submerge? 32. What discoveries did Alvin help make about life in the deep-sea vents in the South Pacific? 33. What is chemosynthesis and why is it important? 34. What are some of the different problems encountered by rangers in certain biomes?

a. Colorado’s Pike National Forest b. Commence National Grasslands

35. Populations of organisms tend to remain constant over time. Human population, however, has experienced nearly continual rapid growth. a. What factors affect the populations of organisms? b. When did the only recorded major decline in the human population occur and why? c. What is the single biggest reason for the continuous population growth of humans?

4

36. In what ways does biology help the human race become responsible caretakers of the earth?

Applications and Activities

1. Complete a crossword puzzle of biological terms. (See INSTRUCTIONAL GRAPHICS.) 2. Research a specific biologist to determine how the experiments are conducted:

a. a molecular biologist working with enzymes b. an agricultural scientist c. a biologist with the Human Genome Project d. a genetic engineer developing a treatment for disease

3. Make a computer-generated table of genetic diseases or disorders. Headings could include: a. when the disease was discovered and by whom b. symptoms c. frequency of occurrence d. location of gene marker (if known) e. genetic tests available (if any)

4. Conduct a debate based on the moral and ethical questions concerning genetic engineering. 5. Report on the belief that self-duplicating molecules may have first come into existence in ocean tide

pools or steaming hot springs. 6. Design a chart illustrating ATP and its production. 7. Report on the scientists mentioned in the video, using a computer-generated slide show. 8. Report on careers in the biological sciences. Include information such as college requirements, salary,

high or low demand, and location of work.

INSTRUCTIONAL GRAPHICS

• MATCH THE WORD • CROSSWORD PUZZLE ABOUT BIOLOGY

RELATED RESOURCES

Captioned Media Program

• Adapting to Changes in Nature (Revised Edition) #2349 • Evolution #3357 • Genes and Hereditary Disorders #2478 • Life: How Do We Define It? #2196 • Patterns of Inheritance: Understanding Genetics #3389 • Survival Force, The #2436 • What is Chemistry? #3534 • What is Earth Science? #3535 • What is Science? #3537

World Wide Web

The following Web sites complement the contents of this guide; they were selected by professionals who have experience in teaching deaf and hard of hearing students. Every effort was made to select accurate, educationally relevant, and “kid-safe” sites. However, teachers should preview them before use. The U.S. Department of

5

Education, the National Association of the Deaf, and the Captioned Media Program do not endorse the sites and are not responsible for their content.

• KID’S CLICK REFERENCE LIBRARY (BIOLOGY) http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/searchkids.pl?searchtype=subject&keywords=Biology&title=Biology

Describes nearly 30 biology-related Web sites.

• MENDELWEB http://www.netspace.org/MendelWeb/

Contains collected essays, references and research, place for reflection, and other biology-related Web sites.

• GENE MAP OF THE HUMAN GENOME http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/SCIENCE96/

Contains a table that lists genetic disorders and the genes and chromosomes affected. Includes a gene map of the disorder and lists support organizations and their Web sites.

• SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN: DEEP DIVER--ALVIN

http://www.scientificamerican.com/explorations/1998/070698atlantis/alvin.html

Includes information about Alvin’s history, measurement, and capabilities. Contains a detailed diagram of the submersible.

• ASK AN ECOLOGIST http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/nceas-web/kids/center/ask.html • Submit questions to exp erts in ecology.

• STRUCTURE OF DNA http://www.accessexcellence.org/AB/GG/structure.html

Contains a very basic diagram of the DNA molecule.