Hanger, Robert - Science / Introduction

Mr. Hanger has been a teacher at Loudoun County High for over 23 years now (since 1987). He currently teaches A.P. Biology and Honors Biology. In addition, he has coached the girl's tennis team for 16 years; and the last 5 years has been the boy's tennis team coach; the year before last they reached the regional tournament, and three years before then won the state title. His educational background includes a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Virginia, and a Masters of Science in molecular biology from Hood College, with thesis work completed at the National Institutes of Health. Mr. Hanger has also done work in the field of toxinology at USAMRIID in Fort Detrick over the past 7 summers.

Objectives for A.P. Biology:

Unit 1: Scientific Method and Basic Chemistry; a review including a discussion on the nature of life, evolution, and on thinking as a biologist. (Chapters 1 and 2, summer assignment)

Unit 2: Animal Physiology; review major animal phyla (Chapters 44 through 49); vertebrate reproduction, embryology and hormone regulation; circulation, digestion and exchange systems; excretion and kidney nephrons; the vertebrate immune system; neurons and nervous systems (selected topics from Chapters 17, 59, 60, 51, 52, 53, 58, 57, 54).

Unit 3: Carbon and the Macromolecules of Living Things; structure and function of carbon, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and enzyme kinetics. (Chapters 3 and 8)

Unit 4: Ecology; ecosystems, biomes, cycles of materials, communities, succession, populations. (Chapters 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, and Wallop's Island!)

Unit 5: Cell Structure, Function, and Division; cell theory, structure and function of organelle membrane transport, cell to cell interactions, mitosis, carcinogenesis, (Chapters 5, 6, 7, 11, 18 pp. 367-379)

Unit 6: Respiration and Photosynthesis; ATP, fundamentals of metabolism, energy from nutrients, anaerobic and aerobic respiration, how plants convert solar energy to chemical energy. (Chpts 9,10)

Unit 7: Mendelian Genetics; meiosis, laws of heredity, punnett squares, human traits, genetic disorders, chromosomal abnormalities. (Chapters 12 and 13)

Unit 8: Molecular Genetics; DNA function, structure, and replication; RNA transcription and translation; gene regulation; genetic engineering. (Chapters 14, 15, 16, 19, and selected topics from Chapter 17)

Unit 9: Classification and Evolution; taxonomy, species defined, classic darwinism, mechanisms of evolution, fossil formation and dating. (Chapters 32, 21, and selected topics from chapter 22)

Unit 10: History of Life on Earth, Speciation, and Population Genetics; the evolution of self replicating molecules through vertebrates and humans, how species evolve, and a genetic view of evolution. (Chapters 4, 22, 23, 20)

Unit 11: Organism Survey (primarily microorganisms); viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi.

Unit 12: Botany; classification of plants, basic structure and function of tissues, and physiology. (selected topics from Chapters 37 through 43)

Unit 13: Anatomy; grasshopper, frog, fetal pig dissections; human skeleton and heart model. (dissection manuals and specimens)

In addition to the above text references we will be doing lots of lab work including 12 required labs that will

be major topics on the A.P. Exam which is scheduled for mid-May, 2010.

Objectives for 10th Grade Biology:

Unit 1: Scientific Method and Measurement; an introduction to biology, components of experimental design, the metric system, and use of the microscope (Chapter 1 and Appendix C and D)

Unit 2: The Structure of Matter; basic chemistry as it pertains to biology, atoms, acids and bases, energy and chemical change. (Chapter 2 pp. 34-43)

Unit 3: Macromolecules of Living Things; carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and enzymes. (Chapter 2 pp. 44-53)

Unit 4: Cell Structure and Function; cell theory, organelle structure and function, membrane transport, mitosis, carcinogenesis. (Chapters 7 and 10)

Unit 5: Respiration and Photosynthesis; ATP, fundamentals of metabolism, energy from nutrients, anaerobic and aerobic respiration, how plants convert solar energy to chemical energy.(Chapters 8 and 9)

Unit 6: Mendelian Genetics; meiosis, the laws of heredity, punnett squares, pedigrees, human traits, chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders.(Chapters 11, 14)

Unit 7: DNA and Genetic Engineering; how traits are encoded in our DNA, protein synthesis, recent developments in biotechnology and genetic engineering. (Chapters 12 and 13)

Unit 8: Classification; taxonomy, species defined, the 5 kingdom system, using and making a taxonomic key. (Chapter 18)

Unit 9: Evolution and the History of Life on Earth; Darwin's theory of evolution, neo-darwinism, a timeline view of evolution emphasizing vertebrate an human evolution. (Chapters 15,16,17)

Unit 10: Ecology; ecosystems, communities, matter cycles. (Chapters 3,4, and 6)

Unit 11: A Survey of Simple Organisms and the Plant Kingdom; viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi. (Chapters 19, 20, and 21) The major plant divisions, plant tissues, and physiology. (selected topics from Chapters 22 - 25)

Unit 12: A Survey of the Animal Kingdom; characteristics of the major invertebrate animal phyla and of the major vertebrate taxons. (selected topics from Chapters 26-33)

Homework: follow the links under staff and calendar. Labs and papers started in class usually need some time at home to answer analysis questions, and since we do this on a daily basis, these assignments are posted in the classroom. Please feel free to email me with questions:

e-mail Mr. Hanger

School policy statement due to increased absences:

Students absent for extended illness/flu will be given make-up work upon return to the classroom. Make-up due dates will be discussed with students upon return. Sufficient time will be given for make-up work.

Last Modified on May 28, 2004