Bio Home Page > Home Page > Unit 2 Instructions

Principles of Ecology: Matter, Energy, and Life

Step 1: Download and print the Unit 2 worksheets.

Then read Chapter 2 in your textbook (Principles of Environmental Science, 5th edition, by Cunningham and Cunningham) and answer the questions on your worksheets.

OPTIONAL: For each chapter in Principles of Environmental Science, the publisher's website includes additional information, tutorials, self-tests, and web links. This is an additional source of information to help students learn and synthesize the information presented in each Chapter. (Use of the publisher's website in this course is strictly optional.)

Step 2: Your textbook covers some of the material in Chapter 2 in a very brief manner! If this is your first exposure to these concepts, you may need additional help. I have provided seven online tutorials to help you with the main concepts for this unit. These tutorials are accessible from the following table:

Concept / Tutorial Title
(click on the title below)		 Textbook Headings Textbook
Pages		 Worksheet
Questions
1. Energy and Thermodynamics What is Matter? 26 2-3
What is Energy? 27 4-8
Thermodynamics and Energy Transfers 27-28 9
2. Chemistry Atoms, Molecules, and Compounds 28-30 10-12
Chemical Reactions 30 13
Acids and Bases 30-31 14
Organic Compounds 31 15
Cells: The Fundamental Units of Life 31 16-17
3. Water The Miracle of Water 32-34 18
4. Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Sunlight: Energy for Life 34-35 19-20
How Does Photosynthesis Capture Energy 35 21-23
5. Food Chains and Trophic Levels Energy and Matter in the Environment (& all subheadings below it) 36-38 24-32
6. Biogeochemical Cycles Biogeochemical Cycles and Life Processes (& all subheadings below it) 38-45 33
7. Flow of Matter and Energy - - 34

Step 3: For lab points, do the lab activity entitled "Acids and Bases in Your Daily Life." This lab can be done at home, but you must first obtain a packet of materials in the Biology Learning Center to take home (from Kit #116). The link to the instructions for this activity is available below. The worksheets for this activity are in your Unit 2 worksheet packet. When you have completed the activity, take the results to the front desk in the Biology Learning Center for lab points.

Step 4: For lab points, do the lab activity entitled "Biodiversity Under the Microscope." This activity must be done in the Biology Learning Center. The worksheets for this activity are in your Unit 2 worksheet packet. When you have completed the activity, take the results to the front desk in the Biology Learning Center for lab points.

Step 5: Prepare for the Unit 2 Exam. Study your completed worksheets, and take the online self test. Remember to study the geographical regions and countries from your Unit 2 worksheets!

Step 6: Come in to the Biology Learning Center to take your Unit 2 Exam. The exam will consist of 40 multiple-choice questions, including map questions about the geographical regions and countries from your Unit 2 worksheets.

http://dtc.pima.edu/blc/105/
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