1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

1: Use models to compare and contrast how the structural characteristics of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids define their function in organisms.

Dehydration Synthesis

2: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to describe the function and diversity of organelles and structures in various types of cells (e.g., muscle cells having a large amount of mitochondria, plasmids in bacteria, chloroplasts in plant cells).

Cell Structure

3: Formulate an evidence-based explanation regarding how the composition of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) determines the structural organization of proteins.

Building DNA
Genetic Engineering
RNA and Protein Synthesis
Enzymes
Protein Synthesis

3.b: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information that explains how advancements in genetic technology (e.g., Human Genome Project, Encyclopedia of DNA Elements [ENCODE] project, 1000 Genomes Project) have contributed to the understanding as to how a genetic change at the DNA level may affect proteins, and in turn, influence the appearance of traits.

Mouse Genetics (One Trait)

4: Develop and use models to explain the role of the cell cycle during growth and maintenance in multicellular organisms (e.g., normal growth and/or uncontrolled growth resulting in tumors).

Cell Division
Embryo Development
Meiosis
Meowsis

5: Plan and carry out investigations to explain feedback mechanisms (e.g., sweating and shivering) and cellular processes (e.g., active and passive transport) that maintain homeostasis.

Homeostasis
Human Homeostasis
Paramecium Homeostasis
Osmosis

6: Analyze and interpret data from investigations to explain the role of products and reactants of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of matter and the flow of energy.

Cell Energy Cycle
Photosynthesis Lab
Cell Respiration
Photosynthesis

6.a: Plan and carry out investigations to explain the interactions among pigments, absorption of light, and reflection of light.

Cell Energy Cycle
Photosynthesis Lab
Photosynthesis

2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

8: Develop and use models to describe the cycling of matter (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, water) and flow of energy (e.g., food chains, food webs, biomass pyramids, ten percent law) between abiotic and biotic factors in ecosystems.

Carbon Cycle
Cell Energy Cycle
Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Plants and Snails
Pond Ecosystem
Photosynthesis

9: Use mathematical comparisons and visual representations to support or refute explanations of factors that affect population growth (e.g., exponential, linear, logistic).

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Microevolution
Prairie Ecosystem
Rabbit Population by Season
Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric
Evolution

10: Construct an explanation and design a real-world solution to address changing conditions and ecological succession caused by density-dependent and/or density-independent factors.

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
GMOs and the Environment
Prairie Ecosystem
Nitrogen Cycle

3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Evolution

11: Analyze and interpret data collected from probability calculations to explain the variation of expressed traits within a population.

Chicken Genetics
Fast Plants^® 1 - Growth and Genetics
Fast Plants^® 2 - Mystery Parent
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Microevolution
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

11.a: Use mathematics and computation to predict phenotypic and genotypic ratios and percentages by constructing Punnett squares, including using both homozygous and heterozygous allele pairs.

Chicken Genetics
Fast Plants^® 1 - Growth and Genetics
Fast Plants^® 2 - Mystery Parent
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Microevolution
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

11.b: Develop and use models to demonstrate codominance, incomplete dominance, and Mendel’s laws of segregation and independent assortment.

Chicken Genetics
Fast Plants^® 1 - Growth and Genetics
Fast Plants^® 2 - Mystery Parent
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Microevolution
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

11.c: Analyze and interpret data (e.g., pedigree charts, family and population studies) regarding Mendelian and complex genetic disorders (e.g., sickle-cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, type 2 diabetes) to determine patterns of genetic inheritance and disease risks from both genetic and environmental factors.

Chicken Genetics
Fast Plants^® 1 - Growth and Genetics
Fast Plants^® 2 - Mystery Parent
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Microevolution
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

12: Develop and use a model to analyze the structure of chromosomes and how new genetic combinations occur through the process of meiosis.

Building DNA
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Meiosis
Microevolution
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Evolution
Meowsis

4: Unity and Diversity

14: Analyze and interpret data to evaluate adaptations resulting from natural and artificial selection that may cause changes in populations over time (e.g., antibiotic-resistant bacteria, beak types, peppered moths, pest-resistant crops).

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Microevolution
Natural Selection
Evolution

15: Engage in argument from evidence (e.g., mathematical models such as distribution graphs) to explain how the diversity of organisms is affected by overpopulation of species, variation due to genetic mutations, and competition for limited resources.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Natural Selection
Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric
Evolution

16: Analyze scientific evidence (e.g., DNA, fossil records, cladograms, biogeography) to support hypotheses of common ancestry and biological evolution.

Cladograms
Embryo Development
Evolution: Natural and Artificial Selection
Human Evolution - Skull Analysis
Natural Selection
RNA and Protein Synthesis
Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric