2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the organization of living systems.

2.1: The student knows that cells are the basic structures of all living things and have specialized parts that perform specific functions, and that viruses are different from cells and have different properties and functions. The

2.1.B: investigate and identify cellular processes including homeostasis, permeability, energy production, transportation of molecules, disposal of wastes, function of cellular parts, and synthesis of new molecules;

Cell Energy Cycle
Cell Structure
Osmosis
Paramecium Homeostasis
Photosynthesis Lab

2.2: The student knows the structures and functions of nucleic acids in the mechanisms of genetics.

2.2.A: describe components of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and illustrate how information for specifying the traits of an organism is carried in the DNA;

Microevolution
Natural Selection

2.2.B: explain replication, transcription, and translation using models of DNA and ribonucleic acid (RNA); and

Building DNA
RNA and Protein Synthesis

2.2.C: identify and illustrate how changes in DNA cause mutations and evaluate the significance of these changes;

Evolution: Mutation and Selection

2.4: The student knows that, at all levels of nature, living systems are found within other living systems, each with its own boundary and limits.

2.4.A: interpret the functions of systems in organisms including circulatory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, reproductive, integumentary, skeletal, respiratory, muscular, excretory, and immune; and

Circulatory System

2.4.B: compare the interrelationships of organ systems to each other and to the body as a whole.

Circulatory System

3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of organisms and the environment.

3.1: The student knows that cells are the basic structures of all living things and have specialized parts that perform specific functions, and that viruses are different from cells and have different properties and functions.

3.1.C: compare the structures and functions of viruses to cells and describe the role of viruses in causing diseases and conditions such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome, common colds, smallpox, influenza, and warts; and

Virus Life Cycle (Lytic)

3.2: The student knows the theory of biological evolution.

3.2.A: identify evidence of change in species using fossils, DNA sequences, anatomical similarities, physiological similarities, and embryology; and

Human Evolution - Skull Analysis

3.2.B: illustrate the results of natural selection in speciation, diversity, phylogeny, adaptation, behavior, and extinction.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Microevolution
Natural Selection

3.3: The student knows metabolic processes and energy transfers that occur in living organisms.

3.3.D: analyze the flow of matter and energy through different trophic levels and between organisms and the physical environment.

Cell Energy Cycle
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Photosynthesis Lab

3.4: The student knows that interdependence and interactions occur within an ecosystem.

3.4.B: interpret interactions among organisms exhibiting predation, parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism; and

Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Prairie Ecosystem

3.4.E: investigate and explain the interactions in an ecosystem including food chains, food webs, and food pyramids.

Food Chain
Forest Ecosystem
Prairie Ecosystem

3.5: The student knows the significance of plants in the environment.

3.5.A: evaluate the significance of structural and physiological adaptations of plants to their environments;

Evolution: Mutation and Selection
Natural Selection

4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the structures and properties of matter.

4.1: The student knows relationships exist between properties of matter and its components.

4.1.A: investigate and identify properties of fluids including density, viscosity, and buoyancy; and

Density Laboratory
Density via Comparison

4.1.D: relate the chemical behavior of an element including bonding, to its placement on the periodic table;

Electron Configuration

4.2: The student knows that changes in matter affect everyday life.

4.2.A: distinguish between physical and chemical changes in matter such as oxidation, digestion, changes in states, and stages in the rock cycle; and

Density Experiment: Slice and Dice
Freezing Point of Salt Water
Rock Cycle

4.2.C: investigate and identify the law of conservation of mass;

Balancing Chemical Equations
Chemical Equation Balancing
Limiting Reactants

4.3: The student knows how solution chemistry is a part of everyday life.

4.3.B: relate the concentration of ions in a solution to physical and chemical properties such as pH, electrolytic behavior, and reactivity; and

Colligative Properties

4.3.D: demonstrate how various factors influence solubility including temperature, pressure, and nature of the solute and solvent;

Solubility and Temperature

5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of motion, forces, and energy.

5.1: The student knows concepts of force and motion evident in everyday life.

5.1.A: calculate speed, momentum, acceleration, work, and power in systems such as in the human body, moving toys, and machines;

2D Collisions
Fan Cart Physics
Freefall Laboratory
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Pulley Lab
Roller Coaster Physics

5.1.B: investigate and describe applications of Newton's laws such as in vehicle restraints, sports activities, geological processes, and satellite orbits; and

2D Collisions
Air Track
Atwood Machine
Fan Cart Physics
Force and Fan Carts
Uniform Circular Motion

5.1.D: investigate and demonstrate [mechanical advantage and] efficiency of various machines such as levers, motors, wheels and axles, pulleys, and ramps.

Ants on a Slant (Inclined Plane)
Inclined Plane - Simple Machine
Levers
Pulley Lab
Torque and Moment of Inertia
Wheel and Axle

5.2: The student knows the effects of waves on everyday life.

5.2.B: demonstrate wave interactions including interference, polarization, reflection, refraction, and resonance within various materials;

Basic Prism
Longitudinal Waves
Ray Tracing (Lenses)
Refraction

5.3: The student knows the impact of energy transformations in everyday life.

5.3.A: describe the law of conservation of energy;

Energy Conversion in a System
Energy of a Pendulum
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Roller Coaster Physics

5.3.B: investigate and demonstrate the movement of heat through solids, liquids, and gases by convection, conduction, and radiation; and

Conduction and Convection
Freezing Point of Salt Water
Heat Transfer by Conduction
Phase Changes
Radiation

5.3.D: investigate and compare economic and environmental impacts of using various energy sources such as rechargeable or disposable batteries and solar cells.

Energy Conversions