II: The student will understand concepts dealing with matter.

II.1: Trace the transfer of matter and energy through biological systems.

II.1.a: Identify, define, and distinguish among producers (autotrophs), consumers, and decomposers (heterotrophs).

Food Chain

II.1.b: Trace the flow of energy through food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.

Food Chain

II.1.c: Identify the reactants and products associated with photosynthesis and cellular respiration and the purpose of these two processes.

Cell Energy Cycle
Interdependence of Plants and Animals
Photosynthesis Lab

II.1.d: Describe the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles-including transpiration and respiration.

Cell Energy Cycle
Photosynthesis Lab
Water Cycle

II.2: Relate particle motion to the states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases).

II.2.a: Identify states of matter in terms of molecular (particle) movement, density, and kinetic energy associated with each phase/state of a given type of matter

Phase Changes
Temperature and Particle Motion

II.3: Apply information from the periodic table and make predictions using the organization of the periodic table.

II.3.a: Determine the number of protons, neutrons, electrons, and mass of an element using the periodic table.

Element Builder

II.3.b: Use the periodic table to identify and locate metals, nonmetals, metalloids, and noble gases.

Element Builder

II.3.c: Use data about the number of electrons in the outer electron shell of an atom, including simple dot diagrams, to determine its stability/reactivity and be able to predict ionic charge resulting from reactions.

Covalent Bonds
Electron Configuration
Ionic Bonds

II.4: Identify how factors affect rates of physical and chemical changes.

II.4.a: Demonstrate knowledge that some factors and substances can affect the rate at which physical and chemical changes occur in living and non-living systems-such as the digestive process.

Collision Theory

III: The student will understand concepts of the diversity of life.

III.2: Differentiate structures,functions, and characteristics of plants.

III.2.c: Identify reproductive structures and their functions in angiosperms.

Pollination: Flower to Fruit

III.3: Differentiate structures, functions, and characteristics of animals.

III.3.b: Explain how animals are adapted to their environment-such as protective coloration, mimicry, claws, beaks, etc.

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Microevolution
Natural Selection
Rainfall and Bird Beaks

IV: The student will understand concepts of heredity.

IV.1: Recognize heritable characteristics of organisms.

IV.1.a: Identify physical traits that are passed from parents to offspring.

Chicken Genetics
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Microevolution
Mouse Genetics (One Trait)
Mouse Genetics (Two Traits)

IV.1.b: Recognize how genetic traits including diseases and disorders are passed from one generation to the next-may include family pedigrees and monohybrid Punnett squares.

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

IV.1.d: Recognize and evaluate the harms and benefits that result when mutations occur.

Evolution: Mutation and Selection

IV.2: Explain how the DNA molecule transfers genetic informationfrom parent to offspring.

IV.2.a: Describe the relationships among DNA, genes, and chromosomes.

Building DNA
Human Karyotyping

IV.2.b: Describe in basic terms the structure function of DNA.

RNA and Protein Synthesis

IV.2.d: Define and distinguish between dominant and recessive genes and how each is expressed in parents and offspring.

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

V: The student will understand concepts of cells.

V.1: Distinguish relationships among cell structures,functions, and organization in living organisms.

V.1.a: Define and identify representations of diffusion and osmotic systems and what substances are transported by these processes-may include graphic representations.

Diffusion
Osmosis

V.1.f: Identify cell organelles and define functions of cell organelles-may include graphic representations.

Cell Structure

VI: The student will understand concepts of interdependence.

VI.1: Demonstrate an understanding of factors that affect the dynamic equilibrium of populations and ecosystem

VI.1.e: Identify human activities that affect the dynamic equilibrium of populations and ecosystems.

Rabbit Population by Season

VI.1.f: Identify factors and relationships-such as predator/prey-that affect population dynamics and ecosystems.

Food Chain

VI.1.g: Explain why diversity within a species is important and how heritable traits ensure survival.

Microevolution
Natural Selection

VII: The student will understand concepts of energy.

VII.1: Relate the Law of conservation of Energy to energy transformations

VII.1.a: Describe how energy-mechanical, electrical, chemical, light, sound, and heat-can be transformed from one form to another.

Calorimetry Lab
Energy Conversion in a System
Inclined Plane - Rolling Objects
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Potential Energy on Shelves

VII.1.b: Show understanding that energy transformations result in no net gain or loss of energy, but that in energy conversions less energy is available due to heat loss during the transformations.

Calorimetry Lab
Energy Conversion in a System
Inclined Plane - Rolling Objects
Inclined Plane - Sliding Objects
Potential Energy on Shelves

VII.1.c: Apply the concept of conservation and transformation of energy within and between organisms and the environment-such as food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.

Food Chain

VII.2: Relate waves to the transfer of energy.

VII.2.a: Relate wavelength to energy

Bohr Model of Hydrogen
Bohr Model: Introduction
Photoelectric Effect

VII.2.b: Describe how waves travel through different kinds of media.

Basic Prism
Doppler Shift
Doppler Shift Advanced
Earthquake - Determination of Epicenter
Earthquake - Recording Station
Longitudinal Waves
Refraction

VIII: The student will understand concepts of force and motion.

VIII.1: Relate Newton?s three laws of motion to real-world applications.

Fan Cart Physics

VIII.2: Relate force to pressure in fluids.

VIII.2.a: Relate force to pressure in fluids. (Note: Formulas will be provided, where needed, to calculate fluid force in closed systems.)

Archimedes' Principle
Boyle's Law and Charles' Law