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amir salih
Biology
Biology is the scientific study of life and living things. It includes many areas and principles that explain how life is organized, how it works, how it grows, where it comes from, how it evolves, and how it spreads. Five central themes in biology are: the cell as the basic unit of life, genes and heredity as the basis for inheritance, evolution as the reason for biological diversity, energy transformation that supports life processes, and maintaining internal stability through homeostasis.
Biology examines life at various levels, from molecules and cells to organisms, populations, and ecosystems. Its subdisciplines include molecular biology, physiology, ecology, evolutionary biology, developmental biology, and systematics, among others. Each field uses different methods to study biological phenomena, such as observation, experimentation, and mathematical modeling.
Modern biology is based on the theory of evolution by natural selection, which Charles Darwin first described, and on the molecular understanding of genes found in DNA. The discovery of the DNA structure and advancements in molecular genetics have transformed many fields of biology, leading to new applications in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental science.
(Image of the human body )
In Grade 10, biology is part of Science 10, focusing on ecology and human body systems. Ecology topics cover the carbon and nitrogen cycles, demonstrating how matter is recycled in nature and how human activities like deforestation and burning fossil fuels impact ecosystems. Students study biodiversity and invasive species, discussing the importance of ecological balance. In human biology, they learn about the basics of the digestive system, respiratory system, and circulatory system. Experiments might include enzyme activity labs or models that demonstrate how the lungs function. By the end of Grade 10, students should relate biological concepts to global and environmental issues.
Biology 10
student and teacher interviews
Student
Teacher
1. What is your name? Isaac
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2. Who is your teacher? Mr. Liang​
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3. What are you learning right now? I am learning about DNA structures right now.
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4. Is this class difficult? The tests in this class are difficult, but I do well because I study.
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5. What is the most difficult thing about this class? The most difficult part of this class is the lab reports, since we have to put a lot of detail into them.
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6. What is your average grade right now? 85%
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7. Do you enjoy this class? Yes, I love learning about how our bodies work!
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8. Have you done any dissections yet? We have cut open a cow's eyeball so far.
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9. What is your favourite lab so far? My favourite lab so far was the cow eye dissection.
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10. Do you prefer group projects or individual projects? I prefer group projects because we all have our own individual strength, and together we can do better.
Ms. Yun
Q: Can you describe what you teach in biology class?
A: Biology? Well, I'm not teaching any biology classes right now, but I have taught Biology 11 and a little bit of Biology 12. It's now called Life Sciences 11 and Anatomy and Physiology 12. I do teach Science 8 and Science 9, which both have a biology component, and I’ve also taught biology in Science 10.
Q: What do you do to keep students engaged?
A: I use a variety of teaching methods—videos, guided notes, diagrams, readings, textbooks, and real-world examples. I also make it interactive with questions, discussions, projects, and labs. Variety is key.
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Q: How do you assess student learning?
A: There are quizzes and tests, with multiple-choice and short-answer questions. But I also assess through projects and labs. Some students show their learning better through hands-on work like dissections, where they can identify parts and explain systems.
Q: Any final thoughts?
A: I think biology is super important. There are living things all around us—including ourselves—so understanding biology helps us understand life.
R.C. Palmer AP Biology Requirements
At R.C. Palmer Secondary School, the prerequisites and recommended academic standards for Advanced Placement (AP) Biology 12 are clearly stated in the course guide. Students must have a B grade in Life Sciences 11 or its enriched version, and in Anatomy & Physiology 12 or its enriched version, or they should be enrolled in AP Biology at the same time. Additionally, the school suggests that students earn a B grade or higher in Chemistry 11 to build a solid chemistry foundation for AP Biology. For standard Life Sciences 11 and Life Sciences 11 Enriched courses, the prerequisite is Science 10, with a recommended minimum B grade in Science 10 for those taking the enriched track. According to the British Columbia provincial grading system used by Palmer, a B grade corresponds to a percentage range of 73% to 85%. Therefore, while the school does not specify a “biology cutoff score,” students usually need to earn at least a B grade (around 73%) in prerequisite courses to qualify for enrollment in AP Biology 12.
Incentive Biology Program: ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY 12
At R.C. Palmer Secondary School, the prerequisites and recommended academic standards for Advanced Placement (AP) Biology 12 are clearly stated in the course guide. Students must have a B grade in Life Sciences 11 or its enriched version, and in Anatomy & Physiology 12 or its enriched version, or they should be enrolled in AP Biology at the same time. Additionally, the school suggests that students earn a B grade or higher in Chemistry 11 to build a solid chemistry foundation for AP Biology. For standard Life Sciences 11 and Life Sciences 11 Enriched courses, the prerequisite is Science 10, with a recommended minimum B grade in Science 10 for those taking the enriched track. According to the British Columbia provincial grading system used by Palmer, a B grade corresponds to a percentage range of 73% to 85%. Therefore, while the school does not specify a “biology cutoff score,” students usually need to earn at least a B grade (around 73%) in prerequisite courses to qualify for enrollment in AP Biology 12.
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