Dr. Michael J. Passow   INTERMEDIATE LEVEL SCIENCE
Key Idea 1: Living things are both similar to and different from each other and from nonliving things.
1.1 Compare and contrast the parts of plants, animals, and one-celled organisms.
Major Understandings	Suggested Activity
1.1a  Living things are composed of cells.  Cells provide structure and carry on major functions to sustain life. Cells are usually microscopic in size.
1.1b  The way in which cells function is similar in all living things.  Cells grow and divide,producing more cells.  Cells take in nutrients, which they use to provide energy for the work that cells do and to make the materials that a cell or organism needs.
1.1c  Most cells have cell membranes, genetic material, and cytoplasm.  Some cells have a cell wall and/or chlorplasts.  Many cells have a nucelus.
1.1d  Some organisms are single cells; others, including humans, are multicellular.
1.1e  Cells are organized for more effective functioning in multicellular organisms. Levels of organization for structure and function of a multicellular organisms include cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
1.1f  Many plants have roots, stems, leaves, and reproductive structures.  These organized groups of tissues are responsible for a plant's life activities.
1.1g  Multicellular animals often have similar organs and specialized systems for carrying out major life activities.
1.1h Living things are classified by shared characteristics on the cellular and organism level.  In classifying organisms, biologists consider details of internal and external structures.  Biological classification systems are arranged from the general (Kingdom) to specific (species).
1.2  Explain the functioning of the major human organ systems and their interactions
Major Understandings	Suggested Activity
1.2a  Each system is composed of organs and tissues which perform specific functions and interact with each other. These include: digestion, gas exchange, excretion, circulation, locomotion, control, coordination, reproduction, and protection from disease.
1.2b  Tissues, organs, and organ systems help to provide all cells with nutrients, oxygen, and waste removal.
1.2c  The digestive system consists of organs that are responsible for the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food.  The breakdown process results in molecules that can be absorbed and transported to cells.
1.2d  During respiration, cells use oxygen to release the energy stored in food. The respiratory system supplies oxygen and removes carbon dioxide (gas exchange).
1.2e The excretory system functions in the disposal of dissolved waster molecules, the elimination of liquid and gaseous wastes, and the removal of excess heat energy.
1.2f  The circulatory system moves substances to and from cells, where they are needed or produced, responding to changing demands.
1.2g  Locomotion--necessary to escape danger, obtain food and shelter--is accomplished by the interaction of the skeletal and muscular systems, and coordinated by the nervous system.
1.2 h  The nervous and endocrine systems interact to control and coordinate the body's responses to changes in the environment, and to regulate growth, development, and reproduction.  Hormones are chemicals produced by the endocrine system that regulate many body functions.
1.2i  The male and female reproductive systems are responsible for producing sex cells necessary for the production of offspring.
1.2j  Disease breaks down the structure and functions of an organism.  Some diseases are the result of failures of the system.  Other diseases are the result of damage by infection from other organisms (germ theory).  Specialized cells protect the body from infectious disease.  The chemicals they produce identify and destroy microbes that enter the body.