SCIENCE 10

Program of Studies

Unit C: Cycling of Matter in Living Systems (Nature of Science Emphasis)

Links to Science

• life processes, and structure of plants - Grade 7 Science, Unit B: Plants for Food and Fibre
• organisms, cells, system organs, tissues - Grade 8 Science, Unit B: Cells and Systems

• How did the cell theory replace the concept of “spontaneous generation” and revolutionize the study of life sciences?
• How do single-celled organisms carry out life functions?
• How do plants use specialized cells and processes to accomplish the same functions as a single cell, but on a larger scale?
• How does imaging technology further our understanding of the structure and function of cells?

Key Concepts

• microscopy and the emergence of cell theory
• cellular structures and functions, and technological applications
• active and passive transport of matter
• relationship between cell size and shape, and surface area to volume ratio
• use of explanatory and visual models in science
• cell specialization in multicellular organisms; i.e., plants
• mechanisms of transport, gas exchange, and environmental response in multicellular organisms; i.e., plants

Outcomes for Science, Technology and Society (STS) and Knowledge

Skill Outcomes

• define and delimit problems to facilitate investigation
  
  (e.g., how do plants adjust to accommodate different environmental conditions such as varying levels of light and fertilizer)
• design an experiment, identifying and controlling major variables
  
  (e.g., design an investigation to determine the effect of CO₂(g) concentration on the number of chloroplasts found in an aquatic plant cell)
• state a prediction and a hypothesis based on available evidence and background information
  
  (e.g., hypothesize how biochemical interconversions of starch and glucose might regulate the turgor pressure of cells; hypothesize the direction of root and plant growth of a bean plant growing on a rotating turntable, and predict the effects of varying RPMs on the angle of growth)
• identify the theoretical basis of an investigation, and develop a prediction and a hypothesis that are consistent with the theoretical basis
  
  (e.g., use the particle theory to hypothesize how the rate of diffusion is affected by varying particle size, and then predict the rates of diffusion of a sucrose solution and a starch solution when placed into dialysis tubing in a beaker of water)
• formulate operational definitions of major variables
  
  (e.g., define concentration gradient, equilibrium)

• carry out procedures, controlling the major variables and adapting or extending procedures
  
  (e.g., perform an experiment to determine the effect of tonicity on plasmolysis and deplasmolysis in plant cells, such as staminal hairs or aquatic leaf cells, identify variables that do affect plasmolysis, such as the amount of light and heat, and control these variables)
• use instruments effectively and accurately for collecting data
  
  (e.g., use a microscope to observe movement of water in plants; prepare wet mounts of tissue from flowering plants, and observe cellular structures specific to plant and animal cells; stain cells to make them visible)
• estimate quantities
  
  (e.g., compare sizes of various types of cells under the microscope; calculate magnification, field of view and scale)
• compile and organize data, using appropriate formats and data treatments to facilitate interpretation of the data
  
  (e.g., organize data obtained from measuring daily temperature and bloom dates of plant species, such as aspen, poplar, common purple lilac and crocus to determine a relationship between the two variables)
• use library and electronic research tools to collect information on a given topic
  
  (e.g., upload and download text, image, audio and video files on emerging technologies for studying cells)
• select and integrate information from various print and electronic sources or from several parts of the same source
  
  (e.g., create electronic documents containing multiple links, or summarize articles based on the scientific principles and/or technological developments)

• compile and display, by hand or computer, evidence and information in a variety of formats, including diagrams, flow charts, tables, graphs and scatterplots
  
  (e.g., collect data on the number of stomata per unit area on various plant leaves that grow in areas of differing humidity, and compile this data in a spreadsheet and graph it to determine whether there is a relationship between the variables)
• interpret patterns and trends in data, and infer or calculate linear and nonlinear relationships among variables
  
  (e.g., compare the surface area to volume ratio of various cells, and relate the findings to the function of each cell; trace ingredients in modern medicines to their traditional counterparts)
• state a conclusion based on experimental data, and explain how evidence gathered supports or refutes the initial hypothesis
  
  (e.g., observe and record macroscopic and microscopic changes in a growing plant for evidence of differentiation)
• explain how data support or refute a hypothesis or prediction
• construct and test a prototype of a device or system, and troubleshoot problems as they arise
  
  (e.g., create a model of a cell to illustrate a certain function, for example, use a balloon and tape to represent a guard cell)
• identify new questions or problems that arise from what was learned
  
  (e.g., determine the purpose of cellular structures from observations of fresh and prepared materials, using dissecting and compound microscopes, or micrographs)

• communicate questions, ideas and intentions; and receive, interpret, understand, support and respond to the ideas of others
  
  (e.g., describe cytoplasmic streaming in a single-celled organism, and communicate an inference about similar movement in the cells of a multicellular organism)
• select and use appropriate numeric, symbolic, graphical and linguistic modes of representation to communicate ideas, plans and results
  
  (e.g., draw analogies between division of labour in cells and in communities; record and explain the movement of water in plants)

Attitude Outcomes

Links to Mathematics