BIOLOGY Benchmarks
1. The Nature of Science
Chap. 1 Section 1 + supplemental materials
The following standards will be taught in all units throughout the year.
Standards:
S2- C2- PO 1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 4
PO 1. Specify the requirements of a valid, scientific explanation (theory), including that it be:
· logical
· subject to peer review
· public
· respectful of rules of evidence
PO 2. Explain the process by which accepted ideas are challenged or extended by scientific innovation.
PO 3. Distinguish between pure and applied science.
PO 4. Describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of theories.
Topics:
· What science is.
· What science is not.
· Limitations of science
· Pseudo-science
· Pure science vs. applied science
2. Lab Safety
Standards:
S1-C2-PO 1. Demonstrate safe and ethical procedures (e.g., use and care of technology, materials, organisms) and behavior in all science inquiry
3. Tools of a biologist
Chap. 1 Section 4 + supplemental materials
The following standards will be taught in all units throughout the year.
Standards:
S1-C2-PO 1. Demonstrate safe and ethical procedures (e.g., use and care of technology, materials, organisms) and behavior in all science inquiry
S1-C2-PO 2. Identify the resources needed to conduct an investigation.
S1-C2-PO 3- Design an appropriate protocol (written plan of action) for testing a hypothesis.
· Determine the appropriate method for recording data, charts, etc.
Topics:
4. Scientific method
Chap. 1 Section 2
The following standards will be taught in all units throughout the year.
Standards:
S1- C1- PO 1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 4
S1- C1-PO 1. Evaluate scientific information for relevance to a given problem.
S1- C1-PO 2. Develop questions from observations that transition into testable hypotheses.
S1- C1-PO 3. Formulate a testable hypothesis.
S1- C1-PO 4. Predict the outcome of an investigation based on prior evidence, probability, and/or modeling (not guessing or inferring).
S1-C2-PO 1. Demonstrate safe and ethical procedures (e.g., use and care of technology, materials, organisms) and behavior in all science inquiry.
S1-C2-PO 2. Identify the resources needed to conduct an investigation.
S1-C2-PO 3. Design an appropriate protocol (written plan of action) for testing a hypothesis:
· Identify dependent and independent variables in a controlled investigation.
· Determine an appropriate method for data collection (e.g., using balances, thermometers, microscopes, spectrophotometer, using qualitative changes).
· Determine an appropriate method for recording data (e.g., notes, sketches, photographs, videos, journals (logs), charts, computers/calculators).
S1-C2-PO 4. Conduct a scientific investigation that is based on a research design.
S1-C2-PO 5. Record observations, notes, sketches, questions, and ideas using tools such as journals, charts, graphs, and computers
S1-C3-PO 1. Interpret data that show a variety of possible relationships between variables, including:
· positive relationship
· negative relationship
· no relationship
S1-C3-PO 2. Evaluate whether investigational data support or do not support the proposed hypothesis.
S1-C3-PO 3. Critique reports of scientific studies (e.g., published papers, student reports).
S1-C3-PO 4. Evaluate the design of an investigation to identify possible sources of procedural error, including:
· sample size
· trials
· controls
· analyses
S1-C3-PO 6. Use descriptive statistics to analyze data, including:
· mean
· frequency
· range
S1-C3-PO 7. Propose further investigations based on the findings of a conducted investigation.
S1-C4-PO 1. For a specific investigation, choose an appropriate method for communicating the results.
S1-C4-PO 2. Produce graphs that communicate data. (See MHS-S2C1-02)
S1-C4-PO 3. Communicate results clearly and logically.
S1-C4-PO 4. Support conclusions with logical scientific arguments.
Topics:
· Controlled experiment
· Experimental design
5. Characteristics of living things
Chap. 1 Section 3
Standards:
(all the ones listed in Scientific Method #4)
Topic:
Characteristics of Living Things
6. Chemical basis of life
Chap. 2- all sections
Standards:
S4-C5- PO 2. Describe the role of organic and inorganic chemicals (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, water, ATP) important to living things.
S5-C1- *PO 1. Describe substances based on their physical properties
S5-C1- *PO 2. Describe substances based on their chemical properties.
S5-C1- *PO 3. Predict properties of elements and compounds using trends of the periodic table (e.g., metals, non-metals, bonding – ionic/covalent).
S5-C1- PO 6. Describe the following features and components of the atom:
· protons
· neutrons
· electrons
· mass
· number and type of particles
· structure
· organization
S5-C1- PO 8. Explain the details of atomic structure (e.g., electron configuration, energy levels, isotopes).
Topics:
· Properties of water
· Chemistry of acids & bases
· pH and homeostasis
· Regulation in the human body
· Macromolecules- carbohydrates, lipids, proteins
· Enzyme function
· Matter & energy in human performance
Summary of Standards in unit 1:
S1- C4- PO 1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 4
S2- C2- PO 1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 4
S4- C3 - PO 1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 4
S4-C5- PO 2
S5-C1- PO 1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 4, PO6, PO8
1. Ecology
Standards:
S3- C1- PO 1. Evaluate how the processes of natural ecosystems affect, and are affected by, humans.
S3- C1- PO 2. Describe the environmental effects of the following natural and/or human-caused hazards:
· flooding
· drought
· earthquakes
· fires
· pollution
· extreme weather
S3- C1- PO 3. Assess how human activities (e.g., clear cutting, water management, tree thinning) can affect the potential for hazards.
S3- C1- PO 4. Evaluate the following factors that affect the quality of the environment:
· urban development
· smoke
· volcanic dust
S3- C1- PO 5. Evaluate methods used to manage natural resources (e.g., reintroduction of wildlife, fire ecology).
S3- C3-PO 1. Analyze social factors that limit the growth of a human population, including:
· affluence
· education
· access to health care
· cultural influences
S3- C3-PO 2. Describe biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors that affect human populations.
S3- C3-PO 3. Predict the effect of a change in a specific factor on a human population.
S4-C4-*PO 4. Predict how a change in an environmental factor (e.g., rainfall, habitat loss, non-native species) can affect the number and diversity of species in an ecosystem.
S4-C5-PO 1. Compare the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in terms of energy flow, reactants, and products.
S4-C5-PO 2. Describe the role of organic and inorganic chemicals (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, water, ATP) important to living things.
S4-C5-*PO 3. Diagram the following biogeochemical cycles in an ecosystem:
· water
· carbon
· nitrogen
S4-C5-*PO 4. Diagram the energy flow in an ecosystem through a food chain
S4-C5-PO 5. Describe the levels of organization of living things from cells, through tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, and communities to ecosystems.
Topics:
· Levels of Organization Chap. 3 Section 1
· Energy flow Chap. 3 Section 2
· Biogeochemical cycles Chap. 3 Section 3
· Population growth & dynamics- Chap. 5
· Limiting factors- Chap. 3 Section 3
· Carrying capacity Chap. 5
· Renewable & nonrenewable resources Chap. 6 Section 2
· Humans in the Biosphere (renewable and nonrenewable resources, biodiversity) Chap. 6
Standards:
S4-C1- PO 1. Describe the role of energy in cellular growth, development, and repair.
S4-C1- PO 2. Compare the form and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their cellular components.
S4-C1- PO 3. Explain the importance of water to cells.
S4-C1- PO 4. Analyze mechanisms of transport of materials (e.g., water, ions, macromolecules) into and out of cells:
· passive transport
· active transport
S4-C2-*PO 1. Analyze the relationships among nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), genes, and chromosomes.
S4-C5-PO 2. Describe the role of organic and inorganic chemicals (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, water, ATP) important to living things.
Topics:
· The cell theory Chap. 7 Section 1
· Cell structure- Chap. 7 Section 2
· Cytoplasmic organelles Chap. 7 Section 2
· Movement of materials through the cell membrane Chap. 7 Section 3
· Cell Specialization Chap. 7 Section 4
· Levels of organization Chap. 7 Section 4
3. CELL ENERGY
Standards:
S4-C1- PO 1. Describe the role of energy in cellular growth, development, and repair.
S4-C5-PO 1. Compare the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in terms of energy flow, reactants, and products
S4-C5-PO 2. Describe the role of organic and inorganic chemicals (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, water, ATP) important to living things.
Topics:
· Photosynthesis: Capturing and converting energy, light and dark reactions Chap. 8 Sections 2 & 3
· Respiration: Chap. 9 Section 1
· Glycolysis Chap. 9 Section 1
· Fermentation Chap. 9 Section 1
4. CELL DEVELOPMENT
Standards:
S4-C2-*PO 1. Analyze the relationships among nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), genes, and chromosomes.
S4-C1- PO 5. Describe the purposes and processes of cellular reproduction.
S4-C5-PO 2. Describe the role of organic and inorganic chemicals (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, water, ATP) important to living things.
Topics:
· Mitosis Chap. 10 Section 2
· Meiosis Chap. 11 Section 4
· Cell specialization Chap. 7 Section 4
· Chromosomes Chap. 10 Section 2
S4-C4-PO 4
S4-C5-PO 1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 4, PO 5
1. NUCLEIC ACIDS AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
S4-C2- *PO 1. Analyze the relationships among nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), genes, and chromosomes.
S4-C2- PO 2. Describe the molecular basis of heredity, in viruses and living things, including DNA replication and protein synthesis.
· DNA-transcription, translation, structure and function Chap. 12 Section 3
· RNA-structure and function Chap. 12 Section 3
· Protein Synthesis Chap. 12 Section 3
2. INTRODUCTION TO GENETICS
S2- C1- PO 1. Describe how human curiosity and needs have influenced science, impacting the quality of life worldwide
S2- C1- PO 2. Describe how diverse people and/or cultures, past and present, have made important contributions to scientific innovations.
S2- C1- PO 3. Analyze how specific changes in science have affected society.
S2- C1- PO 4. Analyze how specific cultural and/or societal issues promote or hinder scientific advancements
S2- C2- PO 2. Explain the process by which accepted ideas are challenged or extended by scientific innovation
S2- C2- PO 3. Distinguish between pure and applied science.
S4-C2- PO 2. Describe the molecular basis of heredity, in viruses and living things, including DNA replication and protein synthesis.
S4-C2- PO 3. Explain how genotypic variation occurs and results in phenotypic diversity.
S4-C2- PO 4. Describe how meiosis and fertilization maintain genetic variation.
Topics
· The work of Gregor Mendel Chap. 11 Section 1
· Applying Mendel’s principles Chap. 11 Section 2
· Punnett Square- probability, expression of genes Chap. 11 Section 2
· Linkage and gene maps Chap. 11 Section 5
· Mutations Chap.12 Section 4
· Dominant and recessive genes Chap. 11 Section 1
3. GENETIC ENGINEERING
S2- C1- PO 1. Describe how human curiosity and needs have influenced science, impacting the quality of life worldwide
S2- C1- PO 2. Describe how diverse people and/or cultures, past and present, have made important contributions to scientific innovations.
S2- C1- PO 3. Analyze how specific changes in science have affected society.
S2- C1- PO 4. Analyze how specific cultural and/or societal issues promote or hinder scientific advancements
S2- C2- PO 2. Explain the process by which accepted ideas are challenged or extended by scientific innovation
S2- C2- PO 3. Distinguish between pure and applied science.
S2- C2- PO 4. Describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of theories.
S3-C2-PO 3. Support a position on a science or technology issue.
S4-C2- *PO 1. Analyze the relationships among nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), genes, and chromosomes.
S4-C2- PO 2. Describe the molecular basis of heredity, in viruses and living things, including DNA replication and protein synthesis.
S4-C2- PO 3. Explain how genotypic variation occurs and results in phenotypic diversity.
· Manipulating DNA Chap. 13 Section 2
· Changing the living world Chap. 13 Section 1
· Cell transformation Chap. 13 Section 3
· Applications of genetic engineering Chap. 13 Section 4
4. THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
S2- C1- PO 1. Describe how human curiosity and needs have influenced science, impacting the quality of life worldwide
S2- C1- PO 2. Describe how diverse people and/or cultures, past and present, have made important contributions to scientific innovations.
S2- C1- PO 3. Analyze how specific changes in science have affected society.
S2- C1- PO 4. Analyze how specific cultural and/or societal issues promote or hinder scientific advancements
S2- C2- PO 2. Explain the process by which accepted ideas are challenged or extended by scientific innovation
S2- C2- PO 3. Distinguish between pure and applied science.
S2- C2- PO 4. Describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of theories.
S3-C2-PO 3. Support a position on a science or technology issue.
S4-C2- *PO 1. Analyze the relationships among nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), genes, and chromosomes.
S4-C2- PO 4. Describe how meiosis and fertilization maintain genetic variation.
Topics
S2- C1- PO 1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 4
S2- C2- PO2, PO 4
S3-C2-PO3
S4-C2- PO 1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 4
Standards:
S4-C4-PO 1. Identify the following components of natural selection, which can lead to speciation:
· potential for a species to increase its numbers
· genetic variability and inheritance of offspring due to mutation and recombination of genes
· finite supply of resources required for life
· selection by the environment of those offspring better able to survive and produce offspring
Topics
Standards:
S4-C4-PO 1. Identify the following components of natural selection, which can lead to speciation:
· potential for a species to increase its numbers
· genetic variability and inheritance of offspring due to mutation and recombination of genes
· finite supply of resources required for life
· selection by the environment of those offspring better able to survive and produce offspring
S4-C4-PO 5 Analyze how patterns in the fossil record, nuclear chemistry, geology, molecular biology, and geographical distribution give support to the theory of organic evolution through natural selection over billions of years and the resulting present day biodiversity.
Topics:
A. Evolution and Natural selection Chap. 15 Section 3
B. Developing theory of evolution
· Fossil record Chap. 17 Section 1
· Earth’s early history Chap. 17 Section 2
· Patterns of evolution Chap. 17 Section 4
C. Origin of life Chap. 17 Section 2
· Spontaneous generation
· First signs of life
2. Speciation & Population Biology
Standards:
S4-C4-PO 2. Explain how genotypic and phenotypic variation can result in adaptations that influence an organism’s success in an environment.
S4-C4-*PO 3. Describe how the continuing operation of natural selection underlies a population’s ability to adapt to changes in the environment and leads to biodiversity and the origin of new species.
3. Classification Systems- Chap. 18
Standards
S4-C4-PO 6. Analyze, using a biological classification system (i.e., cladistics, phylogeny, morphology, DNA analysis), the degree of relatedness among various species.
· Biological classification
· Kingdom system
· Microorganisms and Disease
· Prokaryotes
· Vaccines
· Immune system
Summary of Standards in unit:
S4-C4- PO1, PO 2, PO 3, PO 5, PO6