sensory system http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAzTFgPSPiU&safe=active

nervous system http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UabDiuTtU0M&safe=active

homeostasis preview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeSKSPPZ6Ik&safe=active

homeostatic disruption http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrme9a_GMD8&safe=active

homeostatic evolution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5oe6j99Npw&safe=active

homeostatic loops http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkioZCDHT_E&safe=active

homeostasis hugs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tqjITi8S8s&safe=active

digestive system http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM5kMSjBrmw&safe=active

excretory system http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfWx8msgHqM&safe=active

immune system http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLCC2DB523BA8BCB53&v=z3M0vU3Dv8E&safe=active

cell communication http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnGXItWrJ3k&safe=active

endocrine system http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLCC2DB523BA8BCB53&v=-S_vQZDH9hY&safe=active

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, one of the most common in synapses between two neurons. It also is the most common neurotransmitter in the specialized synapses between a motor neuron (carrying a message from the brain) to a muscle cell. When acetylcholine reaches the muscle cell, it binds to complementary receptors and stimulates muscle contraction.

Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme typically made in small amounts and released in this synapse between the neuron and the muscle. It binds to a specific amino acid, serine, in the acetylcholine, and breaks the neurotransmitter in two. This broken neurotransmitter cannot bind to the acetylcholine receptors. The broken portions of the acetylcholine are typically transported back into the presynaptic neuron, and then are recycled in preparation for the next action potential.

Sarin is a nerve gas, which is illegal in the U.S. When it gets into the nervous system, it binds to the active site of acetylcholinesterase and completely blocks its action. You plan to do an experiment to investigate sarin’s effect on mammals. Because you don’t wish to hurt any living animals, you contact a butcher who is getting meat from pigs. He agrees to give you several very fresh pig legs, which should have all their nerve and muscle cells intact.

a. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, and thus functions in cell signaling. When it is present in a synapse between two neurons, illustrate the effect increasing the amount of acetylcholine will have on the postsynaptic neuron. Under your drawing, specify how increasing acetylcholine will change neuron action.

b. Propose an experiment about the effect of Sarin on the pig legs. State your hypothesis, and justify why you chose that hypothesis. Identify what variables you would change, what variables you would measure, and at least THREE experimental controls.

c. Identify TWO limitations or errors that could affect the results of your pig leg experiment and explain how those limitations may affect the certainty you would have in your conclusion.

Chapter 34

Animals have nervous systems that “detect external and internal signals, transmit and integrate information, and produce responses.” The selective permeability of cells depends on transport mechanisms (sodium- potassium pump) and cell membrane structure and function (homeostasis and transport). In addition, this chapter emphasizes that the brain is responsible for maintaining homeostasis by controlling and integrating the body’s systems.

Essential Knowledge

Illustrative Examples

2.E.2 Timing and coordination of physiological events are regulated by multiple mechanisms.

learning, memory, sleep

3.D.2Cells communicate with each other through direct contact with other cells or from a distance via chemical signaling.

neurotransmitters

3.E.2Animals have nervous systems that detect external and internal signals, transmit and integrate information, and produce responses.

acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA. hearing, muscle movement, abstract thought

4.B.2 Cooperative interactions within organisms promote efficiency in the use of energy and matter. Spinal reflexes

Chapter 35

While the new curriculum does not precisely address the senses, the mechanism of sensory receptors picking up stimuli and transmitting these signals to the central nervous system can serve as an illustrative example. Also, these examples reinforce membrane and action potential, G- linked protein receptors, and signal transduction pathways, all of which are concepts studied earlier. Students should not spend time memorizing the parts of the sensory organs (eye, ear, etc.) as these are beyond the scope of the course.

Essential Knowledge

2.C.2 Organisms respond to changes in their external environments.

conversion of stimuli into action potentials

2.E.2 Timing and coordination of physiological events are regulated by multiple mechanisms.

release and reaction to pheromones

3.E.2 Animals have nervous systems that detect external and internal signals, transmit and integrate information, and produce responses.

· Illustrative Examples

chemoreceptors · mechanoreceptors · photoreceptors

Chapter 39

Students should understand the general function of the digestive system in breaking down food and how the digestive systems of representative invertebrates and vertebrates perform this function. Students should be able to compare and contrast the varying dietary needs of animals and how their digestive systems are adapted to their specific nutrient requirements. Finally, students should understand the various feedback mechanisms that control the human digestive system.

Essential knowledge

Illustrative examples covered

2.a.1 All living systems require constant input of free energy.

2.a.2 Organisms capture and store free energy for use in biological processes.

2.a.3 Organisms must exchange matter with the environment to grow, reproduce, and maintain organization.

2.c.1 Organisms use negative feedback mechanisms to maintain their internal environments and respond to external environmental changes.

Diabetes mellitus

2.d.2 Homeostatic mechanisms reflect both common ancestry and divergence due to adaptation in different environments.

Digestive mechanisms in animals

2.d.3 Biological systems are affected by disruptions to their dynamic homeostasis.

4.A.4: Organisms exhibit complex properties due to interactions between their constituent parts.

Stomach and small intestines

4.B.2: Cooperative interactions within organisms promote efficiency in the use of energy and matter.

· · ·

Digestion of food Bacterial community in the rumen Bacterial community in the gut

4.C.2: Environmental factors influence the expression of the genotype in an organism. Height and weight in humans

Chapter 40

Students should understand the role of an animal’s excretory system in maintaining homeostasis and be able to differentiate between osmoconformers and osmoregulators. They should also be able to describe the various chemical forms of nitrogen waste and explain how those wastes are an adaptive advantage to the habitat of the animals that produce each type. Students should also have an understanding of the general anatomy and physiology of the human nephron. Finally, students should understand the feedback mechanisms that control human kidney function. Chapter 40 examines the adaptations of animals that maintain homeostasis of salts and water and excrete nitrogenous wastes. Understand thephysiological strategies for excretion that have evolved in animals as they became more complex and moved into different habitats. Be able to differentiate between osmoconformers and osmoregulators. The details of the excretory systems of the lower animals are beyond the scope of the AP course. Spend time instead on the structure of the human nephron and how structure and function are related (e.g. loop of Henle and countercurrent multiplier mechanism). Be able to discuss the feedback mechanisms that control the function of the kidneys as they maintain homeostasis.

Essential knowledge

Illustrative examples covered

2.b.1 Cell membranes are selectively permeable due to their structure.

2.d.2 Homeostatic mechanisms reflect both common ancestry and divergence due to adaptation in different environments. Excretory systems in animals, nitrogenous waste production in animals. Nitrogenous waste production in animals ·                  Excretory systems in animals

Chapter 29

The survival of animals is dependent on their ability to maintain stable internal environments. Temperature regulation is one of the best examples to use in explaining the relationship between structures and regulatory actions and the maintainance of homeostasis.

Essential knowledge

Illustrative examples

2.A.3 Organisms capture and store free energy for use in biological processes.

Heat of vaporization, heat of fusion, water's thermal conductivity

2.B.2 Growth and dynamic homeostasis are maintained by the constant movement of molecules across membranes.

Glucose transport, Na+/K+ transport

2.C.1 Organisms use negative feedback mechanisms to maintain their internal environments and respond to external environmental changes.

Temperature regulation in animals

2.C.2 Organisms respond to changes in their external environments.

Behavioral thermoregulation

2.D.1 All biological systems from cells and organisms to populations, communities, and ecosystems are affected by complex biotic and abiotic interactions involving exchange of matter and energy.

· Temperature ·                  Water and nutrient availability

2.D.2 Homeostatic mechanisms reflect both common ancestry and divergence due to adaptation in different environments.

·                  Circulatory systems in fish and mammals

·                  Thermoregulation in animals (countercurrent)

·                  Evaporation for heat loss ·                  Behavior as a thermoreulatory

adaptation

4.B.2 Cooperative interactions within organisms promote efficiency in the use of energy and matter

Exchange of gasses Circulation of fluids Digestion of food Excretion of wastes

Chapter 30

Understand how glands of the endocrine system produce and release hormones and how these hormones chemically signal other cells and tissues in the body to trigger specific responses.

Essential Knowledge

Illustrative Examples

2.C.1 Organisms use negative feedback mechanisms to maintain their internal environments and respond to external environmental changes.

Pituitary hormones and their actions

2.E.2 Timing and coordination of physiological events are regulated by multiple mechanisms.

Thyroid hormones Adrenal hormones Hormones from ovaries and testes

3.A.4 The inheritance pattern of many traits cannot be explained by simple Mendelian genetics.

Y chromosome

3.B.2 A variety of intercellular and intracellular signal transmissions mediate gene expression.

Gender determination

3.D.2 Cells communicate with each other through direct contact with other cells or from a distance via chemical signaling.

Morphogens and embryonic development

3.D.4 Changes in signal transduction can alter cellular response.

Downregulation vs upregulation of hormone receptors

3.E.1 Individuals can act on information and communicate it to others.flight or fight response