La Habra High School
Applied Arts Department
Agriculture Education Standards
AGRICULTURAL BIOLOGY

CELL BIOLOGY
(Examples of Standards)

The student will:
  • define and apply osmosis and diffusion.
  • trace the development of the Cell Theory.
  • describe the process of binary fission.
  • describe the internal structure and chemical composition of the cytoskeleton and cell wall.
  • define protein, enzyme, and catalyst, and describe their relationship.
  • explain how enzymatic reactions occur.
  • define, compare, and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
  • compare and contrast the structure and function of DNA and RNA.
  • define, describe, and apply the processes of replication, transcription, and translation.
  • given a strand of DNA, determine the messenger RNA, transfer RNA, and polypeptide strand.
  • define photosynthesis and describe the role of the chloroplasts, chlorophyll, and radiant energy.
  • state the generalized overall formula of photosynthesis.
  • compare and contrast light and dark reactions and their products.
  • describe the factors which influence plant growth, including water, nutrients, light, soil, air, and climate.
  • modify the factors affecting plant growth and predict plant response.
  • define and describe macromolecules and their chemical and empirical structures.
  • identify and compare monomeric unit of the macromolecules.
  • describe the processes of hydrolysis and dehydration synthesis.
  • identify plants using a dichotomous key.

GENETICS
(Examples of Standards)

The student will:
  • demonstrate techniques for successful plant propagation.
  • name and describe the various states of meiosis.
  • explain the role of meiosis, fertilization, and mitosis.
  • apply the Punnett Square to identify different combinations of alleles.
  • explain the role of meiosis and the fusion of gametes in determining an individual’s DNA sequence.
  • explain meiosis and the role of gametes and fertilization in restoring and maintaining the species’ specific chromosome number.
  • describe interspecies variations with regards to sex chromosomes and sex determination.
  • use a Punnett Square to predict the probability of having offspring with a particular genotype or phenotype in plants and animals.
  • describe the role of Mendel in the development of the modern laws of genetics.
  • define the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis.
  • describe the role of the triplet code in protein synthesis.
  • define substitutions, inversion, translocation, and deletion mutations.
  • explain why mutations can be benign and/or advantageous.
  • define and describe embryological development, specialization, and division of labor of cells.
  • demonstrate an understanding of micro propagation, biological pest controls, and genetic engineering.
  • identify the components of “whole system management.”

ECOLOGY
(Examples of Standards)

The student will:
  • define biodiversity, habitat, niche, biotic factors, abiotic factors, and biome.
  • describe adaptations of specific organisms for specific habitats.
  • describe how climate, human activity, introduction of non-native species, or changes in population size affect the ecosystem.
  • describe the biogeochemical cycles with their biotic and abiotic interrelationships.
  • explain the role of photosynthesis and respiration in the cycling of oxygen and carbon.
  • describe and distinguish between food chains, food webs, and trophic levels.
  • apply the laws of thermodynamics to the flow of energy through an ecosystem.
  • describe the cause and effects of biomagnification in ecosystems.
  • explain why natural selection acts upon the phenotype rather than the genotype.
  • describe the causes and effects of mutations on the gene pool.
  • explain bacterial antibiotic resistance.
  • describe the relationship between genetic drift and the bottleneck and founder effects.
  • define speciation, geographic isolation, sympatric, and allopatric speciation.
  • define comparative embryology.
  • create a branching diagram that shows evolutionary relationships.
  • compare and contrast homologous and analogous structures.
  • compare embryos of various vertebrates to highlight similarities.

PHYSIOLOGY
(Examples of Standards)

The student will:
  • identify and explain the interrelationship between the circulatory, respiratory, excretory, endocrine, digestive, reproductive, skeletal, and muscle systems.
  • explain the processes by which oxygen, nutrients, and waste are moved into and out of cells.
  • define and describe the structural and functional units of the nervous system and its components.
  • define interneurons, motor neurons, and sensory neurons, and state their functions.
  • define digestive enzymes (amylases, proteases, nucleases, lipases).
  • describe the roles of hormones within the digestive, reproductive, and endocrine systems.
  • demonstrate proper handling of hazardous materials.
  • identify charcteristics of the AIDS virus and the symptoms of the disease.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

The student will:
  • explain the differences between production and financial records.
  • participate in leadership training activities associated with the FFA, including public speaking, leading group discussions, working within a committee, conducting business meetings, and problem solving.
  • participate in a supervised occupational experience employing skills and knowledge learned in the classroom.
  • maintain an ongoing record book.