B: Biology I

B.1: Cells are the fundamental unit of life, comprised of a variety of structures that perform functions necessary to maintain life. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.1.1: Cells are composed of a variety of structures such as the nucleus, cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, ribosomes, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.

Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Structure
Osmosis
Paramecium Homeostasis
RNA and Protein Synthesis

B.2: DNA determines the characteristics of organisms. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.2.1: Cells function according to the information contained in the master code of DNA (i.e., cell cycle, DNA to DNA, and DNA to RNA). Transfer RNA and protein synthesis will be taught in life science courses with rigor greater than Biology I.

Cell Division
RNA and Protein Synthesis

B.2.2: A sorting and recombination of genes in reproduction results in a great variety of possible gene combinations from the offspring of any two parents (i.e., Punnett squares and pedigrees). Students will understand the following concepts in a single trait cross: alleles, dominant trait, recessive trait, phenotype, genotype, homozygous, and heterozygous.

Chicken Genetics
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

B.3: Diversity of species is developed through gradual processes over many generations. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.3.2: Species acquire many of their unique characteristics through biological adaptation, which involves the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations. Biological adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology, which may enhance or limit the survival and reproductive success in a particular environment.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Evolution: Natural and Artificial Selection
Natural Selection
Rainfall and Bird Beaks

B.4: Interrelationships and interactions between and among organisms in an environment is the interdependence of organisms. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.4.3: Living organisms have the capacity to produce populations of infinite size, but environments and resources limit population size (i.e., carrying capacity and limiting factors).

Rabbit Population by Season

B.5: Living systems require a continuous input of energy to maintain their chemical and physical organizations. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.5.1: The complexity and organization of organisms accommodates the need for obtaining, transforming, transporting, releasing, and eliminating the matter and energy used to sustain the organism (i.e., photosynthesis and cellular respiration).

Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Structure

B.5.2: As matter and energy flow through different levels of organization of living systems and between living systems and the physical environment, chemical elements are recombined in different ways by different structures. Matter and energy are conserved in each change (i.e., water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, food webs, and energy pyramids).

Cell Energy Cycle
Food Chain

B.6: Organisms have behavioral responses to internal changes and to external stimuli. The student will engage in investigations that integrate the process standards and lead to the discovery of the following objectives:

B.6.1: Specialized cells enable organisms to monitor what is going on in the world around them (e.g., detect light, sound, specific chemicals, gravity, plant tropism, sense organs, homeostasis).

Reverse the Field

B.6.2: Responses to external stimuli can result from interactions with the organism's own species and others, as well as environmental changes; these responses either can be innate or learned. Broad patterns of behavior exhibited by animals have changed over time to ensure reproductive success.

Reverse the Field