Constructing and Reflecting on Scientific Knowledge

Cells and Cell Theory

Organization and Life Processes of Living Things

Human Biology

Heredity and Evolution

Ecology and Ethology

CONSTRUCTING AND REFLECTING ON SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE

Apply procedures for gathering, organizing, interpreting, evaluating, and communicating data.

Includes identifying appropriate questions to ask in a given biological science context; systematically observing phenomena; gathering information from a variety of sources; selecting and using measurement devices; using, manipulating, and interpreting metric units; organizing data gathered through observation and experimentation; communicating and interpreting data presented in a variety of formats (e.g., graphs, flow charts, tables, step-by-step directions, reports); making predictions and drawing conclusions based on data; and evaluating, reporting, and applying simple descriptive statistics to data.

Identify and apply principles and procedures of research and experimental design.

Includes selecting an appropriate biological problem to be solved through planned experimentation; identifying procedures and considerations in setting up and conducting experiments; applying sampling techniques; using control and experimental groups to test hypotheses; and recognizing variables being held constant, those being manipulated, and those responding.

Identify and apply procedures related to the proper use of tools, equipment, and materials (including chemicals and living organisms) commonly used in biology, and practices for maintaining safety during biological investigations.

Includes proper practices and techniques related to the safe use and storage of tools, equipment, and materials; proper practices and requirements related to the use and care of living organisms; and procedures for preventing accidents in biology classrooms and laboratories.

Analyze historical and social aspects of biological study and contributions made to biology by people of diverse backgrounds.

Includes the historical development and significance of key biological ideas from societies and men and women of different periods, ethnic backgrounds, and cultures; and the cultural and social contexts of biology as they relate to societal influences and restraints (such as unrecognized contributions; gender and racial inequity; class; status; cultural mores, beliefs, and religion; economic constraints; etc.).

Understand the interrelationships of biology, society, technology, and other sciences and disciplines.

Includes the impact of biological science and technology on society; the application of biology in personal decision making; the implications of biological discoveries for technological advances; the technological impact on the advancement of biology; and themes and concepts (e.g., energy, systems, constancy) that link biology to other sciences and disciplines.

Analyze the nature of scientific thought and inquiry.

Includes the reliance of scientific investigation on empirical data, verifiable evidence, reasoning, and logical arguments; the importance of avoiding researcher bias in scientific investigations; and the evaluation of scientific claims and arguments.

Understand processes for decision making related to biological problems and issues.

Includes identifying sources of information that aid in decision making; analyzing pros and cons of an issue; evaluating the validity of conclusions; and recognizing issues (e.g., ethical) that influence decisions related to biology.

CELLS AND CELL THEORY

Understand cell structure and function and the cell theory.

Includes the structures, functions, and interrelationships of cell organelles and other cell components; specializations of cells and the relationship between a cell’s structure and its function; comparison of different types of cells (e.g., plant and animal cells, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells); and the basic tenets and implications of cell theory.

Understand the chemical components of living systems and basic principles of biochemistry.

Includes the physical and chemical characteristics of water and its role in living organisms; the chemical characteristics of carbon, acids, bases, salts, and buffers and their roles in living organisms; and structures, functions, and composition of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, and nucleic acids.

Analyze physiological processes of cells.

Includes the processes of protein synthesis, photosynthesis, and respiration (anaerobic and aerobic) and the role of enzymes in regulating these processes; and the processes by which cells obtain nutrients and maintain homeostasis (e.g., diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport, exocytosis, endocytosis).

Analyze cell growth, division, and differentiation.

Includes the cell cycle; the processes of mitosis and meiosis; cell structures involved in mitosis and meiosis; the consequences of normal and abnormal mitotic and meiotic divisions; the role of mitosis and meiosis in living organisms; factors that affect cell growth, division, and differentiation; and the role of cell differentiation in development.

ORGANIZATION AND LIFE PROCESSES OF LIVING THINGS

Understand principles of taxonomy and classification in biology.

Includes the characteristics of biological classification (e.g., hierarchy of taxonomic levels, importance of heritable characteristics in classifying organisms, relationship of taxonomic classification to evolutionary history); the biological species concept; organization and characteristics of the five-kingdom system; procedures and criteria used to classify organisms; taxonomic relationships among organisms (including both living and extinct organisms); and classification of organisms on the basis of given characteristics.

Analyze reproduction, development, and life cycles of living organisms.

Includes characteristics of sexual and asexual reproduction; advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction; reproductive strategies of common organisms; characteristics of developing embryos of plants and animals; processes related to developing embryos (e.g., cleavage, gastrulation); and life cycles of common organisms.

Analyze the processes used by living organisms to obtain, store, and use energy.

Includes comparisons of processes used by organisms from the five kingdoms to obtain energy; structures used to store food; structures and processes involved in the distribution of food to all parts of an organism; and ways in which organisms use food.

Analyze the anatomy and physiology of living organisms.

Includes anatomical structures and physiological processes that allow organisms from the five kingdoms to carry out specific life functions (e.g., maintaining homeostasis, respiration, photosynthesis); levels of biological organization (i.e., tissues, organs, organ systems) in multicellular organisms; functions of and relationships among given tissues, organs, and organ systems; and adaptations of structures and processes.

HUMAN BIOLOGY

Understand the structures and functions of the human skeletal, muscular, and integumentary systems.

Includes structures and functions of bone, muscle, and connective tissues; the importance of muscle and bone arrangement in joint movement; the physiology of muscle contraction; the relationship between the structure of the skin and its functions; common diseases and disorders of the skeletal, muscular, and integumentary systems; and the homeostatic roles of the skeletal, muscular, and ntegumentary systems within the body.

Understand the structures and functions of the human circulatory and immune systems.

Includes structures and processes of the circulatory and immune systems; factors that affect heart function and cardiac output; the relationship between the pattern of circulation and transport of materials in the blood; characteristics and regulation of immune responses; components and functions of blood and lymph; common diseases and disorders of the circulatory and immune systems (e.g., AIDS); and the homeostatic roles of the circulatory and immune systems within the body.

Understand the structures and functions of the human respiratory and excretory systems.

Includes structures and processes of the respiratory and excretory systems; the relationship between surface area and volume in the functioning of the respiratory and excretory systems; the exchange of materials and gases between the blood and other tissues; the principle of countercurrent exchange and its role in kidney function; common diseases and disorders of the respiratory and excretory systems; and the homeostatic roles of the respiratory and excretory systems within the body.

Understand the principles of human nutrition and structures and functions of the human digestive system.

Includes the roles in the body of basic nutrients found in foods (e.g., water, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids); structures and processes of the digestive system, including accessory organs (e.g., salivary glands, pancreas, liver); processes by which nutrients are transported from the intestinal lumen to other parts of the body; common diseases and disorders of the digestive system; and the homeostatic role of the digestive system within the body.

Understand the structures and functions of the human nervous and endocrine systems.

Includes differences in the structures and functions of the central and peripheral nervous systems; processes involved in the transmission of nerve impulses within and between neurons; structures of the endocrine system and the functions of specific hormones; comparisons of nervous and hormonal signals; the role of feedback mechanisms in nervous system and endocrine system functioning; common diseases and disorders of the nervous and endocrine systems; and the homeostatic roles of the nervous and endocrine systems within the body.

Understand the structures and functions of the human reproductive systems and the processes of embryonic development.

Includes structures and functions of the male and female reproductive systems; the role of hormones in the evelopment and function of the reproductive systems; the processes of gametogenesis and fertilization; processes and stages of embryonic development and factors that may influence development (e.g., drugs, alcohol, radioactivity); common diseases and disorders of the human reproductive systems; and the homeostatic role of the reproductive system within the body.

HEREDITY AND EVOLUTION

Understand the principles of Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics.

Includes evidence that certain characteristics are inherited; basic principles of heredity (e.g., independent assortment); the relationship of Mendelian genetics to the structure and behavior of chromosomes; crossing-over and its effect on genotype and phenotype; sex-linked characteristics; incomplete dominance and co-dominance; polygenic inheritance; non-nuclear inheritance; and application of genetic principles to solve problems involving genetic crosses.

Understand the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein.

Includes processes of replication, transcription, and translation; the relationship of molecular structure to these processes; and the genetic code (includes analysis of problems involving codons and anticodons).

 

Understand genes, chromosomes, and changes in genetic material.

Includes modern theories regarding gene structure and function; the relationship between genes and chromosomes; types of mutations and their consequences; the influence of environment on heredity; basic methods used in genetic engineering; and applications of genetic engineering/recombinant DNA technology (including positive effects and potential risks).

Analyze the process of natural selection.

Includes the concept of variation in populations (including genetic and phenotypic variation); the concept of selection pressure; the influence of selection pressure on species adaptations; the concept of biological fitness; and the role of selection pressure on the survival of organisms and species and on the evolution of species.

Analyze the theory of evolution.

Includes evidence that species change over time; research methods used to investigate evolutionary history; evolutionary relationships among familiar species and taxonomic groups, including hominids; and modern and historic theories of evolution.

ECOLOGY AND ETHOLOGY

Understand populations and communities.

Includes basic requirements of organisms (e.g., food, habitat, shelter); factors that affect population size (e.g., carrying capacity, competition, predation); common patterns of interdependence and interrelationships among species in a community (including the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers); the concept of niche; and energy relationships within food chains and food webs.

Understand types and characteristics of ecosystems and biomes and factors affecting their change over time.

Includes common patterns of interdependence and interrelationships among species in an ecosystem; biotic and abiotic factors that affect ecosystems; types and characteristics of biomes; typical flora and fauna of biomes; and the process of ecological succession.

Analyze the cycling of materials through an ecosystem.

Includes characteristics and processes of biogeochemical cycles (e.g., water, carbon-oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus); roles of organisms in biogeochemical cycles; the concept of limiting factors; and implications of biogeochemical cycles for living things.

Understand human ecology and the physical and societal effects of human activities on the environment.

Includes characteristics and consequences of human population growth; food production and the world food supply; issues related to the availability, distribution, and use of water, space, and energy; types, sources, and effects of pollution (e.g., depletion of the ozone layer); chemical and physical mechanisms (e.g., burning of fossil fuels) by which pollutants (e.g., acid precipitation) are created; consequences of habitat destruction; and methods of pollution control, resource conservation (e.g., recycling), land reclamation, and environmental preservation.

Understand basic concepts of animal behavior.

Includes innate and learned behavior; factors affecting behavior (e.g., reinforcement schedules, releasing factors, pheromones); taxes; social structures and behaviors; communication; and the adaptive significance of given behaviors.