School / Grade 12
Grade 12 Biology: Anatomy and Physiology 12
Molecules to organ systems: how the human body keeps its balance
Anatomy and Physiology 12 is the senior biology course in the British Columbia curriculum, so the whole course falls within this site's biology scope. It is organized around three big ideas: homeostasis, gene expression, and the interrelationship of organ systems. The Content moves from molecules and cells, through DNA, genomics and biotechnology, to the organ systems and finally to health and disease.
The fourteen lessons map to the official Content as follows. Lesson 1 covers biological molecules, including water, acids, bases, buffers and the four macromolecule groups. Lesson 2 covers metabolism, ATP and enzymes. Lesson 3 covers transport across a cell membrane, micro to macro organization, and feedback loops. Lesson 4 covers DNA and replication, gene expression and proteins. Lesson 5 covers genomics and biotechnology. Lessons 6 to 13 cover the eight organ systems in turn (nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive), each with structure and function, interdependence with other systems and maintenance of homeostasis. Lesson 14 covers lifestyle and health, the holistic approach to health, and disease as an imbalance of homeostasis.
The lessons are based on the BC curriculum. The official curriculum document is the authority for what is required, and it should be consulted for the full list of Curricular Competencies.
Big ideas
- Homeostasis: the body maintains its internal balance through physiological processes.
- Gene expression: protein synthesis reflects an interaction between genes and the environment.
- Organ systems: body systems are interrelated and work together to maintain homeostasis.
Lessons
- Molecules of Life: Water, pH, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids and ATPThe chemistry beneath physiology: why water is special, how pH is buffered, and how the four organic macromolecule classes and ATP are built and broken down.
- Metabolism, ATP and Enzymes: How Cells Capture and Use EnergyCatabolism and anabolism, ATP production by glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain, and how enzymes work and are regulated.
- Cell Membranes, Transport, Levels of Organization and Feedback LoopsHow the membrane controls traffic by passive, active and vesicular transport, how organization runs from molecules to organism, and how negative and positive feedback regulate the internal environment.
- DNA, Replication, Gene Expression and ProteinsHow DNA stores information, is copied, and is expressed through transcription and translation, and how proteins link genes to cell structure and function.
- Genomics and Biotechnology: Genome Projects, Recombinant DNA, Cloning, GMOs and Gene TherapyThe genome as a whole, major genome projects, personal genomics, and the technologies of recombinant DNA, cloning, GMOs and gene therapy, with their ethical questions.
- The Nervous System: Neurons, Signals, Brain and Autonomic ControlNeuron structure, action potentials and synapses, the organization of the brain and spinal cord, autonomic control of organs and the nervous system's role in homeostasis.
- The Endocrine System: Hormones, Glands and Chemical ControlHow hormones act, how their release is controlled, and how the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas maintain homeostasis.
- The Cardiovascular System: Blood, Heart, Vessels and CirculationBlood composition, heart structure and electrical conduction, the cardiac cycle and cardiac output, vessels, blood pressure, capillary exchange and clotting.
- The Lymphatic and Immune Systems: Fluid Return and DefenceStructure of the lymphatic system, innate defences and inflammation, adaptive immunity through T and B cells, vaccines, and immune disorders.
- The Respiratory System: Ventilation, Gas Exchange and TransportAirway structure, the mechanics of breathing, gas exchange, oxygen and carbon dioxide transport, and chemical control of breathing and pH.
- The Digestive System: Breaking Down and Absorbing FoodOrganization of the GI tract, the stomach and small intestine, accessory organs, absorption, the large intestine and neural and hormonal control.
- The Urinary System: Filtering Blood and Balancing FluidsKidney and nephron structure, filtration, reabsorption and secretion, hormonal control of water, salt and pressure, acid-base balance and micturition.
- The Reproductive System: Gametes, Hormones and Reproductive HealthMale and female structures, gamete formation, hormonal control, the menstrual cycle, fertilization and implantation, contraception and fertility treatments.
- Lifestyle, Holistic Health and Disease as an Imbalance of HomeostasisHow diet, activity, sleep, tobacco, salt, alcohol, drugs and vaccination affect homeostasis, a holistic view of health and disease as imbalance.
Official BC curriculum for this course ↗
These lessons follow the content areas listed in the British Columbia curriculum. They are study material written for this site and are not an official document. The official curriculum is the authority on what each course requires. Lessons are general education, not medical advice.