LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Biology

Goal 4: The learner will develop an understanding of the unity and diversity of life.

Objective 4.03. Assess, describe and explain adaptations affecting survival and reproductive success.

  • Structural adaptations in plants and animals (form to function).
  • Disease-causing viruses and microorganisms.
  • Co-evolution.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Wife inheritance and the AIDS epidemic in Africa
When an African man dies, it is the responsibility of his brother to inherit his widow. This has become a key factor in the spread of the AIDS virus. This plan looks at this tradition and the AIDS epidemic in African countries and students will discuss possible solutions in a Paideia seminar.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies)
By Greg Mitchell.
Tracking a potato killer: Using latitude and longitude to map the spread of P. infestans
In CSI Dublin: The Hunt for the Irish Potato Killer, page 1
Students use latitude and longitude to follow the transmission of the plant pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of the Irish Potato Famine.
Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 English Language Arts and Science)
By Rebecca Hite.
Modify a seed
This activity is set up so that students will try to modify their model seed, so that it conforms to an assigned seed dispersal strategy.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
By Bert Wartski.
Isolating a potato killer
In CSI Dublin: The Hunt for the Irish Potato Killer, page 2
In this lesson, students use Koch’s postulates to demonstrate the causal relationship between microbe and disease by transmitting Phytophthora infestans from an infected potato tuber to a healthy potato specimen.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)
By Rebecca Hite.
Identifying a potato killer via PCR and gel electrophoresis
In CSI Dublin: The Hunt for the Irish Potato Killer, page 4
In this lesson, students use DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, and gel electrophoresis techniques to identify positive and negative leaf samples for the presence of the plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
By Rebecca Hite.
Diseases throughout human history
Students will trace the historical impact of disease on humankind and research key events in the history of disease.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science and Social Studies)
By Greg Mitchell.
Apprehending plant killers
In CSI Dublin: The Hunt for the Irish Potato Killer, page 5
In this lesson, students research a plant pathogen of their choice and create a wanted poster.
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
By Rebecca Hite.

Resources on the web

Variations in human skin color
In this lesson, students will learn about the factors that determine skin color and how adaptation and natural selection contribute to its variation. They will come to understand that skin color is no longer considered a credible scientific standard by which... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: Science Netlinks
The physical and mental effects of climbing
This lesson asks students to investigate the things that happen to a person's body as he or she ascends a mountain. Students will consider the effects of high altitude on a climber's mental state and will read about why renowned climber Ed Viesturs has decided... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Mammoth extinction
In this Science NetLinks lesson, students will explore a Web resource that presents various hypotheses about why the woolly mammoth became extinct, with a special focus on an infectious disease as the cause. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
The fish trade
The purpose of this lesson is to examine the interdependence of global trade in the context of the economic and social aspects of fisheries and aquaculture. When studying global interdependence within a science literacy context the purpose is not to promote... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science