Heredity

  • 1

    Cellular Genetics B.H.1

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Describe that different genes code for proteins that determine different traits.B.H.1.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Communicate that genes code for specific traits (e.g., eye color, hair color).B.H.1.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        Recognize that genes are made up of DNA.B.H.1.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Build a model of DNA.B.H.1.lp.a

      2. -

        Recognize that DNA codes for proteins that physically make the traits.B.H.1.lp.b

      3. -

        Illustrate that portions of DNA represent a gene that codes for a variety of traits (hair, skin, feathers, leaves).B.H.1.lp.c

      4. -

        Manipulate a physical model of DNA.B.H.1.lpd

      5. -

        Recognize that DNA is a set of instructions for the cell. B.H.1.lpe

  • 2

    Structure and Function of DNA in CellsB.H.2

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Recognize that changing the segments of DNA molecules can alter genes.B.H.2.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Recognize that genes are made up of DNA, so changing the segments of DNA can alter genes.B.H.2.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        When given a representation of individuals from the same parents, identify variations in physical traits.B.H.2.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Recognize that changing the sequence of DNA may alter the development of a trait if the resulting protein is altered.B.H.2.lp.a

      2. -

        Recognize that in sexual reproduction DNA is contributed from two parents to produce a new organism (genetically unique).B.H.2.lp.b

      3. -

        Recognize that if the sequence of DNA is changed, the trait changes. B.H.2.lp.c

      4. -

        Recognize that the sequence of DNA is specific for development of specific traits.B.H.2.lp.d

  • 3

    Genetic Mechanisms and Inheritance B.H.3

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Predict the possible phenotypes of an offspring when given the genotype of the parents (e.g., using a Punnett square).B.H.3.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Recognize that genes combine during sexual reproduction which causes the traits of offspring to not be exact replicas of either parent. B.H.3.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        Identify X and Y as female and male chromosomes.B.H.3.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Identify fertilization as sex cells combining.to produce a unique offspring.B.H.3.lp.a

      2. -

        Identify the products of meiosis, sex cells (egg and sperm).B.H.3.lp.b

      3. -

        Identify the genetic combination for female is XX and male is XY.B.H.3.lp.c

      4. -

        Recognize that sex cells contain half the genetic information for the next generation.B.H.3.lp.d

      5. -

        Observe a family pedigree and note the similarities and differences of the offspring.B.H.3.lp.e

  • 4

    MutationsB.H.4

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Describe how some mutations can be helpful and some can be harmful to organisms.B.H.4.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Recognize that genes can be altered and that those changed genes may then be passed to offspring.B.H.4.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        Identify traits that can vary among a population (e.g., eye color, beak shape, etc.).B.H.4.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Recognize that not all mutations have an impact on an organism.B.H.4.lp.a

      2. -

        Recognize that only mutations in sex cells get passed on to offspring. B.H.4.lp.b

      3. -

        Recognize that changes in DNA which causes different characteristics and functions are called mutations..B.H.4.lp.c

      4. -

        In a given population identify the various forms of a trait that exist (e.g., fur color).B.H.4.lp.d

      5. -

        Observe a population of organisms to identify differences in individuals. B.H.4.lp.e

  • 5

    Modern GeneticsB.H.5

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Describe specific ways in which scientists have used DNA to help people or the environment (e.g., sweeter fruit, etc.).B.H.5.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Identify one reason DNA would be purposely altered by humans. B.H.5.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        Identify a model of DNA.B.H.5.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Show pictures of animals and plants that have been genetically altered for food production. B.H.5.lp.a

      2. -

        Discuss important attributes a farmer should consider for a food crop (yield, taste, shelf life).B.H.5.lp.b

      3. -

        Describe why humans would want to change DNA in an organism.B.H.5.lp.c

      4. -

        List the differences in the tastes of heirloom produce. B.H.5.lp.d

      5. -

        Taste examples of heirloom tomatoes and store bought hybrids or field corn and hybrid sweet corn.B.H.5.lp.e

      6. -

        Recognize a model of DNA.B.H.5.lp.f

Evolution

  • 1

    Mechanisms • Natural selection • Mutation • Genetic drift • Gene flow (immigration, emigration) • Sexual selectionB.E.1

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Describe how the presence or absence of traits may help some individuals in a plant or animal population survive and reproduce in their environment (e.g., natural selection).B.E.1.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        When given a population of animals or plants, identify how variation in traits impacts their ability to survive and reproduce (e.g., populations of endangered species).B.E.1.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        When given a plant or animal, identify traits that help it to survive in its environment.B.E.1.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Discuss how an organism must survive in order to pass on its traits (genes).B.E.1.lp.a

      2. -

        Discuss how successful genes in a population get passed on through reproduction.B.E.1.lp.b

      3. -

        Recognize that traits are produced by genes. B.E.1.lp.c

      4. -

        Provide pictures of animals or plants with a variety of traits and match them to the environment in which they would survive (e.g., lots of fur in a snowy region). B.E.1.lp.d

      5. -

        Discuss how coloration would impact a predator prey relationship, if prey is easy to see it is easy to catch and eat. (Pick up colored candies from a colored background and discuss why some colors are easier to see.)B.E.1.lp.e

      6. -

        Given pictures of bird beaks or teeth of mammals and discuss what kinds of food the animal would be best able to eat.B.E.1.lp.f

  • 2

    Speciation • Biological classification expanded to molecular evidence • Variation of organisms within a species due to population genetics and gene frequencyB.E.2

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Identify evolutionary changes to a given species that have allowed the species to continue to survive and reproduce.B.E.2.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Diagram and describe the evolutionary change in a species.B.E.2.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        Given a visual representation, identify a species that has changed over the course of many generations (e.g., cladogram diagram).B.E.2.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Given a cladogram with pictures, make a prediction of what the next generation willould look like based on a given environment.B.E.2.lp.a

      2. -

        Use the horse as an example, show pictures of earlier forms and discuss the changes that have occurred.B.E.2.lp.b

      3. -

        Use a cladogram with pictures of the organisms to describe changes from one clade to the next (an organism compared to its ancestors). Show the evolution of a trait.B.E.2.lp.c

Diversity and Interdependence of Life

  • 1

    Biodiversity • Genetic diversity • Species diversityB.DI.1

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Explain how low genetic diversity impacts population size, energy flow or the cycle of matter in a given environment (e.g., Isle Royale Wolf population).B.DI.1.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        When given two examples of an animal or plant in a given environment, describe which one would have the higher chance to survive or reproduce based on traits (e.g., fur coat thickness, coloration).B.DI.1.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        When given an environment, recognize a plant or an animal that could survive in that environment. B.DI.1.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Show data (graphs or charts) for population sizes of predatory/prey for a particular environment and show how one species impacts another (e.g., wolves and moose oin Isle Royale).B.DI.1.lp.a

      2. -

        Predict what will happen to an ecosystem when a population of organisms (wolves, ash trees) moves in or out.B.DI.1.lp.b

      3. -

        Given pictures of two environments and a set of organism picture cards, place the organisms in the environment where they are most likely to survive.B.DI.1.lp.c

      4. -

        Given two animals or plants, identify which of them is most likely to survive in a certain environment and match which traits would help it survive.B.DI.1.lp.d

  • 2

    Ecosystems • Equilibrium and disequilibrium • Carrying capacityB.DI.2

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Identify how both populations will change in a predator/prey relationship, when given a model of an ecosystem that is not in balance (e.g., carrying capacity).B.DI.2.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Identify how a human or natural change to an ecosystem results in a change to a predator or prey population. B.DI.2.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        When given a set of before and after pictures of an ecosystem, (e.g., meadow changed to farm, forest changed to apartment buildings) observe the human caused changes.  B.DI.2.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Given an ecosystem that has experienced an event (natural or man made) discuss how an impacted organism may change the dynamics of the ecosystem (carrying capacity).B.DI.2.lp.a

      2. -

        Given an environment and an event (natural or man made) predict what organisms will survive, thrive or perish as a result of that event.B.DI.2.lp.b

      3. -

        Match the cause to the effect of a change to an ecosystem. (Given two pictures of an ecosystem and an event which occurred identify which came first (e.g., meadow, forest, apartment complex, volcanic eruption).B.DI.2.lp.c

      4. -

        Examine a given ecosystem and identify the relationships between organisms.B.DI.2.lp.d

  • 3

    Loss of Diversity • Climate change • Anthropocene effects • Extinction • Invasive speciesB.DI.3

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Describe how drought, flood, volcanic eruption, habitat loss, or introduction of a new species may affect the diversity in an ecosystem.B.DI.3.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Match the cause (e.g., drought, flood, habitat loss, new species) to its effect on organisms in an ecosystem.B.DI.3.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        Identify factors that can harm organisms in an environment (e.g., drought, floods, volcanic eruption, habitat loss, new species etc.).B.DI.3.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Match worldwide temperature data to a given environment and the changes that have occurred to the populations that live there. (e.g., polar ice caps, coral reefs).B.DI.3.lp.a

      2. -

        Use populations numbers of native species after the introduction of zebra mussels to the Great Lakes to provide an example of how human activities can impact an ecosystem.  B.DI.3.lp.b

      3. -

        Discuss what happens to organisms in an ecosystem after a human activity. (Show pictures of human activities such as strip mining, mall building, home developments and match them with the aftermath photos of the environment.)B.DI.3.lp.c

      4. -

        Discuss what happens to organisms in an ecosystem after a natural event. (Show pictures of natural events and match them with the aftermath photos of the environment.) B.DI.3.lp.d

      5. -

        Recognize the human activities can change an ecosystem impacting organisms. B.DI.3.lp.e

      6. -

        Recognize that natural events will change an ecosystem impacting organisms.B.DI.3.lp.f

Cells

  • 1

    Cell Structure • Structure, function and interrelatedness of cell organelles • Eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cellsB.C.1

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Compare and contrast a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell.B.C.1.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Match the organelle with the process it helps to execute (e.g., chloroplast, photosynthesis).B.C.1.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        Identify the function of the cell membrane.  B.C.1.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Model materials going into and out of the cell.B.C.1.lp.a

      2. -

        Recognize that materials need to enter and leave the cell through the cell membrane.B.C.1.lp.b

      3. -

        Match cell organelles to functions.B.C.1.lp.c

      4. -

        Identify a cell as prokaryotic or eukaryotic.B.C.1.lp.d

      5. -

        Given a variety of cells sort into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.B.C.1.lp.e

      6. -

        Show what cell type is responsible for photosynthesis.B.C.1.lp.f

      7. -

        Given a cell with missing part, identify what function the cell is unable to do and how that affects the cell.B.C.1.lp.g

      8. -

        Recognize that cells are classified by their cell parts.B.C.1.lp.h

      9. -

        Recognize that organelles do specific jobs for the cell. B.C.1.lp.i

      10. -

        Recognize that cells have parts (organelles).B.C.1.lp.j

      11. -

        Recognize that all living things are made of cells.B.C.1.lp.k

  • 2

    Cellular Processes • Characteristics of life regulated by cellular processes • Photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, cellular respiration, biosynthesis of macromoleculesB.C.2

    1.  

      Complexity a

      1. a

        Describe how the cell needs specific conditions (e.g., temperature, pH) in order to perform its essential functions (e.g., respiration, photosynthesis).B.C.2.a

    2.  

      Complexity b

      1. b

        Complete a diagram that depicts the process of photosynthesis.B.C.2.b

    3.  

      Complexity c

      1. c

        Identify photosynthesis and cellular respiration as occurring in a cell.B.C.2.c

    4.  

      Learning Progression

      1. -

        Identify the importance of photosynthesis.B.C.2.lp.a

      2. -

        Identify the importance of respiration.B.C.2.lp.b

      3. -

        Investigate plant seedlings in different environments (temperature, pH) to show optimum range of growth. B.C.2.lp.c

      4. -

        Identify the products of cellular respiration.B.C.2.lp.d

      5. -

        Identify the products of photosynthesis. [Use pictures to complete a diagram of the process of photosynthesis (picture of sun, tree, water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and glucose)] B.C.2.lp.e

      6. -

        Compare the cell to a factory and show how cells make products for an organism.B.C.2.lp.f

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12