Cell Biology: Exploring Life at the Microscopic Level

Step into the fascinating world of cellular biology in our high school class. This engaging course will take you on a journey through the fundamental building blocks of life - cells.

Delve into the inner workings of cells, discovering how they function, communicate, and contribute to the remarkable complexity of all living organisms. Through interactive lessons, hands-on experiments, and captivating discussions, you will explore topics such as cell structure, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and the intricacies of DNA and genetics.

By the end of this class, you will gain a profound understanding of how cells power life itself and play a crucial role in shaping the world around us. Whether you're considering a future in the sciences or simply want to appreciate the wonders of the biological world, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to embark on an exciting journey into the cellular processes of biology. Join us and unlock the mysteries of life at its most fundamental level.

⭐Unit 1 - Chemistry of Life 
- Water, Hydrogen Bonding, and Properties of Water
        - Polarity, Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and more
- pH and Calculations
        - Acids, Bases, and the pH Scale
- Biological Macromolecules
        - Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Lipids
- Nucleic Acids
        - DNA and RNA
Quiz

⭐Unit 2 - Cell Structure and Function 
- Review of Cellular Organelles
        - Prokaryote/Eukaryote and Functions of Organelles
- Endosymbiosis and Compartmentalization
        - Mitochondria and Chloroplasts
- The Plasma Membrane and Transport
        - Structure of the Plasma Membrane and Active/Passive Transport
- Water Potential and Osmolarity
        - Calculating Water Potential and the Movement of Water and Solutes in and out of the Cell
Quiz

⭐Unit 3 - Cellular Energy and Communication
- Enzymes
        - Catalysts, Structure, Specificity, Coenzymes, and Inhibitors
- Photosynthesis 
        - Light Dependent Reactions and the Calvin Cycle
- Cellular Respiration 
        - Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, and the Electron Transport Chain
- Cell Signaling
        - Cell Signals, Ligands, and Types of Feedback
- Cell Cycle
        - Cell Cycle, Mitosis, and Check Points
Quiz

⭐Unit 4 - Heredity 
- Meiosis 
       - Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Genetic Diversity
- Mendelian Genetics Monohybrid
       - Alleles, Genotype, Phenotype, and Single Trait Punett Squares (4x4)
- Mendelian Genetics Dihybrid
       - Two Trait Crosses Using Individual Trait Probability and Basic Math to Determine the Probability of Both Outcomes Occurring Simultaneously
- Non-Mendelian Genetics (Part I)
       - Linked Genes, Incomplete Dominance, Codominance, and Pedigrees
- Non-Mendelian Genetics (Part II)
       - Blood Types and Polygenic Traits
Quiz

⭐Unit 5 - Gene Expression 
- DNA Replication 
        - Enzymes Involved in Replication
- Transcription and Translation 
         - The Difference Between the Processes and Where They are Occurring in the Cell
- Gene Regulation
        - Prokaryotic Operons (Lac and Try), Inducible, Repressible, and an Overview of Eukaryotic Regulation
- Mutations
        - Chromosome Mutations, Point Mutations, Frame Shift Mutations, and Karyotypes
- Biotechnologies 
        - Recombinant Genes in Bacteria, PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, and CRISPR
Quiz

Each lesson will contain new vocabulary, concepts, real-world examples, and short video clips. If time allows, we will review it together. If time does not allow for a review game, the questions will be sent out to students to review on their own time. 

Students will receive notes and study materials each week. If you want a grade for the end of the course, please let me know so I can keep track of your progress during the course. 

It is unnecessary, but students are encouraged to have supplementary material to help fill in any gaps if they are reviewing for AP exams. I will provide as much as possible, but most free materials do not include an assortment of high-level questions for students to practice. I recommend an AP Biology practice book, such as Barron's AP Biology Premium by Mary Wuerth, M.S., or Princeton Review AP Biology Prep. Compared to larger course books, these books are inexpensive and have many practice questions with answer keys. Some come with online practice exams.