Uruguay First Year of Ciclo Básico - Biology

This course introduces students to the study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment, emphasizing a systemic perspective. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and an appreciation for the role of science in society.

Unit 1: What is an ecological system?

This unit introduces the concept of ecological systems and their components. Students learn to classify ecological systems and identify their living and non-living components. The unit also explores the diversity of ecological systems in Uruguay and the impact of human activity on these systems. Students will:

• Classify ecological systems.
• Recognize living and non-living components of an ecosystem.
• Identify a living being by its characteristics and functions.
• Identify different species, populations, and communities within an ecosystem and their interrelationships.
• Identify natural non-living components (atmosphere, soil, radiation) and human-made components.
• Identify humans as transformers of ecological systems.

Unit 2: How can we organize living beings to facilitate their study?

This unit focuses on the classification of living organisms. Students learn about different classification criteria and the use of observation tools like microscopes and magnifying glasses. The unit also introduces the five kingdoms of life: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. Students will:

• Propose classification criteria and recognize existing ones.
• Recognize levels of observation.
• Observe using optical microscopes.

Unit 3: How are living beings organized?

This unit explores the organization of living beings from cells to systems. Students learn about the cell as the basic unit of life and the characteristics of different cell types. The unit also covers different levels of organization, including tissues, organs, and systems. Students will:

• Recognize different levels of organization of living beings.
• Recognize the cell as the morphological and functional unit of living beings.
• Use magnifying glasses and microscopes correctly.
• Differentiate between animal, plant, and bacterial cells.
• Interpret cellular models as a form of representation.
• Interpret scientific models as human constructions.
• Recognize subcellular levels.

Unit 4: How do living beings nourish themselves?

This unit examines the different ways living organisms obtain and process nutrients. Students learn about autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition and the organs and systems involved in each process. The unit also covers the concept of food webs and the role of humans in these webs. Students will:

• Recognize living beings by their characteristic functions.
• Recognize the organs and systems related to nutrition in plants and animals.
• Distinguish the functions of different organs and systems related to nutrition.
• Describe physical and chemical transformations of food during digestion.
• Recognize the function of the circulatory system in animal nutrition.
• Distinguish between nutrition and feeding.

Unit 5: How do living beings reproduce?

This unit explores the different ways living organisms reproduce. Students learn about sexual and asexual reproduction in plants and animals and the organs and systems involved in each process. The unit also covers the early stages of animal development and the influence of the environment on reproduction. Students will:

• Recognize the modes of reproduction in different examples.
• Recognize the organs and systems involved in reproduction in plants and animals.
• Identify fruits and seeds as structures derived from the flower.
• Explain the biological and economic importance of asexual reproduction in plants.
• Identify environmental conditions that affect germination.
• Explain the origin of every living being.
• Recognize morphological and functional adaptations of reproduction.
• Propose actions to preserve environments and periods related to the reproduction of different species.

Unit 6: How do living beings interact with each other and with the environment?

This unit examines the relationships between living organisms and their environment. Students learn about biological associations, plant responses to environmental factors, and the relationship between animals and their environment. The unit also covers the impact of radiation and the human responsibility in maintaining the homeostasis of ecosystems. Students will:

• Identify intra- and interspecific relationships.
• Recognize the different organs, systems, and apparatuses related to the function of interaction in selected examples.
• Describe the effects of different environmental factors (light, humidity) on living beings.
• Explain the stimulus-receptor, effector-response relationship in animals.
• Recognize the risks of radiation exposure.
• Value humans as responsible for maintaining the homeostasis of ecosystems and propose actions for their preservation.