B-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of cells and their organelles.

B-2.1: Recall the three major tenets of cell theory (all living things are composed of one or more cells; cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things; and all presently existing cells arose from previously existing cells).

Paramecium Homeostasis

B-2.2: Summarize the structures and functions of organelles found in a eukaryotic cell (including the nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, lysosomes, vacuoles, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum [ER], Golgi apparatus, cilia, flagella, cell membrane, nuclear membrane, cell wall, and cytoplasm).

Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Structure
Paramecium Homeostasis
RNA and Protein Synthesis

B-2.4: Explain the process of cell differentiation as the basis for the hierarchical organization of organisms (including cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems).

Circulatory System
Digestive System

B-2.5: Explain how active, passive, and facilitated transport serve to maintain the homeostasis of the cell.

Osmosis
Paramecium Homeostasis

B-2.6: Summarize the characteristics of the cell cycle: interphase (called G1, S, G2); the phases of mitosis (called prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase); and plant and animal cytokinesis.

Cell Division

B-2.7: Summarize how cell regulation controls and coordinates cell growth and division and allows cells to respond to the environment, and recognize the consequences of uncontrolled cell division.

Human Homeostasis
Paramecium Homeostasis

B-2.8: Explain the factors that affect the rates of biochemical reactions (including pH, temperature, and the role of enzymes as catalysts).

Collision Theory

B-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the flow of energy within and between living systems.

B-3.1: Summarize the overall process by which photosynthesis converts solar energy into chemical energy and interpret the chemical equation for the process.

Cell Energy Cycle
Photosynthesis Lab

B-3.2: Summarize the basic aerobic and anaerobic processes of cellular respiration and interpret the chemical equation for cellular respiration.

Cell Energy Cycle

B-3.5: Summarize the functions of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the human body.

Digestive System

B-3.6: Illustrate the flow of energy through ecosystems (including food chains, food webs, energy pyramids, number pyramids, and biomass pyramids).

Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem

B-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the molecular basis of heredity.

B-4.1: Compare DNA and RNA in terms of structure, nucleotides, and base pairs.

RNA and Protein Synthesis

B-4.2: Summarize the relationship among DNA, genes, and chromosomes.

Human Karyotyping

B-4.3: Explain how DNA functions as the code of life and the blueprint for proteins.

DNA Analysis
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

B-4.4: Summarize the basic processes involved in protein synthesis (including transcription and translation).

RNA and Protein Synthesis

B-4.6: Predict inherited traits by using the principles of Mendelian genetics (including segregation, independent assortment, and dominance).

Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

B-4.7: Summarize the chromosome theory of inheritance and relate that theory to Gregor Mendel?s principles of genetics.

Human Karyotyping

B-5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of biological evolution and the diversity of life.

B-5.1: Summarize the process of natural selection.

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

B-5.3: Explain how diversity within a species increases the chances of its survival.

Rainfall and Bird Beaks

B-5.4: Explain how genetic variability and environmental factors lead to biological evolution.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection

B-5.5: Exemplify scientific evidence in the fields of anatomy, embryology, biochemistry, and paleontology that underlies the theory of biological evolution.

Human Evolution - Skull Analysis

B-5.6: Summarize ways that scientists use data from a variety of sources to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection

B-6: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships among organisms and the biotic and abiotic components of their environments.

B-6.1: Explain how the interrelationships among organisms (including predation, competition, parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism) generate stability within ecosystems.

Food Chain

B-6.2: Explain how populations are affected by limiting factors (including density-dependent, density-independent, abiotic, and biotic factors).

Food Chain
Rabbit Population by Season

B-6.4: Exemplify the role of organisms in the geochemical cycles (including the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and water).

Carbon Cycle

B-6.5: Explain how ecosystems maintain themselves through naturally occurring processes (including maintaining the quality of the atmosphere, generating soils, controlling the hydrologic cycle, disposing of wastes, and recycling nutrients).

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors

B-6.6: Explain how human activities (including population growth, technology, and consumption of resources) affect the physical and chemical cycles and processes of Earth.

Carbon Cycle