9-12-LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes

9-12-LS1.A: Structure and Function

9-12-LS1-1: Construct a model of how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Building DNA
Genetic Engineering
RNA and Protein Synthesis
Enzymes
Protein Synthesis

9-12-LS1-2: Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms.

Cell Types
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Senses
Diffusion
Enzymes
Osmosis
Photosynthesis

9-12-LS1-3: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

Homeostasis
Human Homeostasis
Paramecium Homeostasis
Osmosis

9-12-LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms

9-12-LS1-4: Develop and use models to communicate the role of mitosis, cellular division, and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms.

Cell Division
Embryo Development
Meiosis
Meowsis

9-12-LS1.C: Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms

9-12-LS1-6: Use a model to demonstrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.

Cell Energy Cycle
Photosynthesis Lab
Photosynthesis

9-12-LS1-7: Use a model to demonstrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of molecules are broken and the bonds in new compounds are formed resulting in a net transfer of energy.

Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Respiration

9-12-LS1-8: Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence that organic macromolecules are primarily composed of six elements, where carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms may combine with nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus to form large carbon-based molecules.

Dehydration Synthesis

9-12-LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

9-12-LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

9-12-LS2-1: Explain how various biotic and abiotic factors affect the carrying capacity and biodiversity of an ecosystem using mathematical and/or computational representations.

Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Prairie Ecosystem
Rabbit Population by Season
Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric

9-12-LS2.B: Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

9-12-LS2-2: Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence that the processes of photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, and aerobic and anaerobic respiration are responsible for the cycling of matter and flow of energy through ecosystems and that environmental conditions restrict which reactions can occur.

Cell Respiration

9-12-LS2-3: Communicate the pattern of the cycling of matter and the flow of energy among trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Photosynthesis

9-12-LS2-4: Use a model that illustrates the roles of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, decomposition, and combustion to explain the cycling of carbon in its various forms among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

Carbon Cycle
Cell Energy Cycle
Plants and Snails
Pond Ecosystem

9-12-LS2.C: Ecosystems Dynamics, Functioning and Resilience

9-12-LS2-5: Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent populations of species while conditions remain stable, but changing conditions may result in new ecosystem dynamics.

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Prairie Ecosystem

9-12-LS2-6: Design, evaluate, and/or refine solutions that positively impact the environment and biodiversity.

GMOs and the Environment
Nitrogen Cycle

9-12-LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Evolution

9-12-LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits

9-12-LS3-1: Develop and use models to clarify relationships about how DNA in the form of chromosomes is passed from parents to offspring through the processes of meiosis and fertilization in sexual reproduction.

Building DNA
DNA Analysis
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Genetic Engineering
Human Karyotyping
Meiosis
Meowsis

9-12-LS3.B: Variation of Traits

9-12-LS3-4: Make and defend a claim that inheritable genetic variations may result from: (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis, (2) mutations occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.

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

9-12-LS3-5: Apply concepts of statistics and probability to explain the variation and distribution of expressed traits in 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)

9-12-LS4: Biological Evolution; Unity and Diversity

9-12-LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity

9-12-LS4-1: Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.

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

9-12-LS4.B: Natural Selection

9-12-LS4-3: Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment.

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

9-12-LS4-4: Apply concepts of statistics and probability to support explanations that organisms with an advantageous heritable trait tend to increase in proportion to organisms lacking this trait.

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

9-12-LS4.C: Adaptation

9-12-LS4-5: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Microevolution
Natural Selection
Evolution

9-12-LS4-6: Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species.

Coral Reefs 1 - Abiotic Factors
Coral Reefs 2 - Biotic Factors
Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Natural Selection
Rabbit Population by Season
Rainfall and Bird Beaks - Metric
Evolution

9-12-LS4-7: Create or revise a model to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity.

GMOs and the Environment