Agricultural
Biology
Course Title: Agricultural Biology
Credits: 10
Units
Length of Course: 1
Year
Prerequisites: Algebra
I or concurrent enrollment in Algebra I
Target Group: Students with ninth grade honors
or GATE only and tenth through twelfth grade students who plan to enter a
college and/or university with a major in agriculture. This is an elective course that meets life
science graduation requirements and departmental major requirements, as well as
Course Description: Agricultural Biology is a laboratory science course designed for the college-bound student. The course emphasizes detailed knowledge of the biological principles of the following areas: molecular and cellular aspects of living things, structure and function of agricultural plants and animals, genetics, physiology, plant and animal diversity and principles of classification, ecological relationships, and animal behavior.
Textbooks: Note: The text used should
be the same as the adopted text for the school.
Modern Biology 2nd Edition
(Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 2000)
Laboratory
Investigations in Biology (Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 2000)
Biological
Science Applications in Agriculture (Osborne, 1994)
Agriculture
Biology Lab Manual Revised (
Assessment Methods:
Tests – including teacher made and standardized tests developed by authors.
Evaluation of class assignments.
Classroom activities.
Laboratory research investigations – weekly.
Homework assignments.
Course Goals:
1. To learn the nature of scientific inquiry and incorporate the use of the scientific method in laboratory investigations pertaining to biological and agricultural principles.
2. To be familiar with the theory of cell biology and its application to the organization of all living organisms.
3. To identify and understand the processes of cellular and organism growth and reproduction.
4. To recognize the diversity of life and the interrelationships among all organisms.
5. To understand the role of genetics in organism variation and adaptation.
6. To understand the role of genetics as it pertains to the development of multi-cellular organisms and appreciate how encoded genes specify the characteristics of living organisms.
7. To acquire biological and agricultural research vocabulary, and the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills pertaining to scientific inquiry.
8. To understand the stability in an ecosystem is a balance between competing effects.
9. To understand fundamental cellular and systemic functions and processes.
10. To recognize the interrelationships between biotic and physical factors to energy flow in the biosphere.
Learning Objectives:
Students should be able to:
1. Describe the characteristics of living organisms.
2. Describe the characteristics of plant and animal cells with respect to their structure and chemistry.
3. Compare and contrast the roles of meiosis and mitosis in cellular and organism reproduction.
4. Define the chromosome theory of heredity, Mendelian genetics, gene-enzyme relationships, and apply this knowledge to animal inheritance.
5. Distinguish between historical and modern taxonomy systems and scientific nomenclature that demonstrate evolutionary relationships among plants and animals.
6. Identify the structural and functional similarities and differences among the major animal, plant, and protist phyla.
7. Analyze the major organ systems of animals and explain the function of each.
8. Recognize the structure and function of ecosystems, populations, and communities, and the impact of human society on the natural and agricultural environment.
9. Describe the three cycles that involve biotic and abiotic factors: nitrogen, carbon-oxygen, and water; and explain the importance of their interrelationships to the biosphere
10. Identify the environmental and genetic factors that influence variation among organisms.
11. Demonstrate basic laboratory techniques including the use of microscopes, microscope slide preparation, maintenance and examination of micro-organism cultures, tests demonstrating fundamental biochemical reactions, dissection of representatives of plant and animal phyla, and the sharpening of interpretative skills.
12. Discuss the principles and practices used in feeding livestock, explain common practices and describe nutritional needs of animals during various productive stages.
13. Describe common animal diseases and parasites; discuss health management practices used in animal agriculture.
Course Outline:
A. Introduction to Agricultural Biology
1. Agricultural Biology and its Importance
2. Research Uses of Agricultural Biology
3. The Scientific Method
4. The Metric System
B. Organisms and Their Ecological Environment
1.
Biodiversity
2.
Conserving Natural Resources
3.
Agricultural Practices Beneficial and Harmful to the
Environment
4.
The Ecosystem and Population Fluctuations
5.
The Nitrogen Cycle
6.
The Carbon-Oxygen Cycle
7.
The Food Wed
C. Cell
Biology
1.
Characteristics of living organisms
2. Plant
and Animal Cell Identification and Functions
3. Plant and Animal Cell Structure and
Functions
4. Cellular Respiration
5. Cellular Transport
6. Cell Differentiation
7. Chemiosmotic
Gradients and ATP Production
8. Macromoecules
in Cells
D. Inorganic
Foundations that Support Life
1.
Soil and Water: The
Chemical Foundation
2.
Atomic and molecular structure and chemical bonding
3.
Basic Soil Components
4.
Soil Formation Factors and Horizons
5.
Soil Texture and Structure
6.
Soil Organisms and Organic Matter
7.
Interrelationships of Plants and Soil
8.
Water Movement Properties
9.
Soil and Water Management
E. Plant
& Animal Classifications
1.
Development of the Binomial System of Nomenclature
2.
Classifications of Major Groups of Plants and Animals
3.
Evolutionary Relationships
4.
Development of the Kingdom Concept
5.
Comparisons of Modern Agricultural Plants and Animals
F. Plant
Physiology, Reproduction, Photosynthesis and Growth
1.
Plant Structures & the Process of Photosynthesis
2.
Plant Growth Requirements
3.
Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons
4.
Sexual and Asexual Reproduction
5.
Research Applications to Plant Biotechnology
6.
Chemical and Environmental Factors Affecting Plant Growth
G. Animal
Physiology and Reproduction
1.
Internal Systems of Animals
2.
The Digestive Process
3.
The Respiratory System
4. The Reproductive System
5. The Circulatory System
6. The Endocrine System
7. The Nervous System
8. The Immune System
H. Animal
Nutrition
1.
Feed Identification and Nutrient Evaluation
2.
Feed Additives
3.
Ration Formulation
4.
Animal Nutrient Requirements
5.
Vitamin and Amino Acid Requirements
6.
Nutritional Diseases
I. Animal
Health & Diseases
1.
Disease Agents
2.
Causes of Disease
3.
Infectious and Noninfectious Diseases
4.
Animal Health Practices
5.
Common Internal & External Parasites Lifecycles
J. Plant
and Animal Genetics
1.
Heritability and Genetic Traits
2.
Dominant and Recessive Genes
3.
Genotype and Phenotype
4.
Cellular Reproduction: Mitosis and Meiosis
5.
Physical and Chemical Structures Involved in Genetics
6.
DNA and Types of DNA
7.
DNA Replication
8.
Mendel – Independent Assortment and Segregation
9.
Biotechnology and Cloning
10.
Proteins and RNA
11.
Role and Function of Amino Acids in Genetics
12.
Mutation and Sexual Reproduction
K.
Agricultural Biology Research
Project
1. Development
and Formulation of Agriscience/Science Fair Project
2. Research
Principles & Design
3. Statistical
Management & Analysis of Agriscience/Science Fair
Project
4.
Instructional Supervision & Coordination
Instructional Methods and/or Strategies:
A.
Lecture
B.
Audio Visual Materials
C.
Computer Simulations
D.
Group & Individual Activities
E.
Laboratory Investigations
F.
Discussion
G.
Reading & Writing Assignments
H.
Homework Assignments
I.
Written Examinations
J.
Guest Speakers
K.
Field Trip to Research Laboratory
L.
Agriscience/Science Fair Project