Biology Core Learning Goal 3: The student will demonstrate the
ability to use scientific skills and processes (Core Learning Goal 1) and
major biological concepts to explain the uniqueness and interdependence of
living organisms, their interactions with the environment, and the
continuation of life on earth.
3.1.1 The student will be able to describe the unique characteristics of
chemical substances and macromolecules utilized by living systems.
1. water (inorganic molecule, polarity, density, and solvent properties)
2. carbohydrates (organic molecule; monosaccharides are building blocks;
supplier of energy and dietary fiber; structural component of cells: cell
wall, cellulose)
3. lipids (organic molecule; component of cell membranes; stored energy
supply)
4. proteins (organic molecule; amino acids are building blocks; structural
and functional role, including enzymes)
5. nucleic acids (organic molecule; nucleotides are building blocks -
sugar, phosphate, & nitrogen bases; DNA is a double helix, RNA is a single
strand; DNA replication; DNA role in storage of genetic information)
6. minerals (inorganic substances essential for cellular processes)
7. vitamins (organic molecule; role in human body: C wound healing, K
blood clotting, D bone growth)
3.1.2 The student will be able to discuss factors involved in the
regulation of chemical activity as part of a homeostatic mechanism.
1. osmosis (predicting water flow across a membrane based on the cells
environment; explain role in living systems)
2. temperature (effect upon enzyme activity and metabolic rate; effect
upon rate of diffusion and states of matter)
3. pH (pH scale: relative values for acids and bases; effect on living
systems: cellular, organismal)
4. enzyme regulation (effect of temperature, pH, and enzyme/substrate
concentration on enzyme activity)
3.1.3 The student will be able to compare the transfer and use of matter
and energy in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic organisms.
1. water cycle (movement of water between living systems and the
environment)
2. carbon cycle (movement of carbon between living systems and the
environment, cyclic relationship between photosynthesis and respiration)
3. nitrogen cycle (roles of bacteria; human impact)
4. photosynthesis (energy conversion: light, chemical; basic molecules
involved)
5. cellular respiration (distinctions between aerobic and anaerobic,
energy released, use of oxygen; basic molecules involved in aerobic)
6. chemosynthesis (from inorganic compounds)
7. ATP (energy carrier molecule)
3.2.1 The student will explain processes and the function of related
structures found in unicellular and multicellular organisms.
1. transportation of materials (role of cellular membranes; role of
vascular tissues in plants and animals; role of circulatory systems)
2. waste disposal (role of cellular membrane; role of excretory and
circulatory systems)
3. movement (cellular flagella, cilia, pseudopodia; interaction between
skeletal and muscular systems)
4. feedback (maintaining cellular and organismal homeostasis - water
balance, pH, temperature, role of endocrine system)
5. asexual (binary fission, budding, vegetative, mitosis: role in growth
and repair, chromosome number remains the same) and sexual reproduction
(angiosperms, mammals)
6. control of structures (cellular organelles and human systems) and
related functions (role of nucleus, role of sensory organs and nervous
system)
7. capture and release of energy (chloroplasts, mitochondria)
8. protein synthesis (ribosomes)
3.2.2 narrow range of environmental conditions and changes to that
environment, either naturally occurring or induced, may cause changes in the
metabolic activity of the cell or organism.
1. pH
2. temperature
3. light
4. water
5. oxygen
6. carbon dioxide
7. radiation (role in cancer or mutations)
8. toxic substances (natural, synthetic)
3.3.1 The student will demonstrate that the sorting and recombination of
genes during sexual reproduction has an effect on variation in offspring.
1. meiosis (process that forms gametes; chromosome number reduced by one-
half; crossing-over occurs; new gene combinations)
2. fertilization ( combination of gametes to form zygote)
3.3.2 The student will illustrate and explain how expressed traits are
passed from parent to offspring.
1. phenotypes (expression of inherited characteristics)
2. dominant and recessive traits
3. sex-linked traits (X-linked only; recessive phenotypes are more often
expressed in the male)
4. genotypes (represented by heterozygous and homozygous pairs of alleles)
5. punnett square (use to predict and/or interpret the results of a
genetic cross; translate genotypes into phenotypes - monohybrid only)
6. Pedigree (use to interpret patterns of inheritance within a family)
3.3.3. The student will explain how a genetic trait is determined by the
code in a DNA molecule.
1. definition of gene (a segment of DNA that codes for a protein or RNA)
2. sequence of nitrogen bases directing protein formation (role of DNA,
mRNA, tRNA, rRNA)
3. proteins determine traits
3.3.4 The student will interpret how the effects of DNA alteration can be
beneficial or harmful to the individual, society, and/or the environment.
1. mutations
2. chromosome number (abnormalities)
3. genetic engineering (gene splicing, recombinant DNA)
3.4.1 The student will explain how new traits may result from new
combinations of existing genes or from mutations of genes in reproductive
cells within a population.
1. natural selection (definition; effects of environmental pressure)
2. adaptations (effects on survival)
3. variation (effects on survival and reproductive success)
3.4.2 The student will estimate degrees of relatedness among organisms or
species.
1. classification (recognize relationships among organisms; distinguish
between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
2. anatomical similarities (evolutionary relationships; homologous
structures)
3. similarities of DNA base and/or amino acid sequence (including results
from gel electrophoresis)
3.5.1 The student will analyze the relationships between biotic diversity
and abiotic factors in environments and the resulting influence on
ecosystems.
1. Abiotic/Biotic factors
space, soil, water, air, temperature, food, light, organisms
2. Relationships
predator prey, parasite host, mutualism, commensalism, competition
3.5.2 The student will analyze the interrelationships and interdependencies
among different organisms and explain how these relationships contribute to
the stability of the ecosystem.
1. diversity
2. succession
3. trophic level (producer; consumer: herbivore, carnivore, omnivore,
scavenger; decomposer)
4. niche (role of organism within an ecosystem)
5. pyramid (energy, biomass)
3.5.3 The student will investigate how natural and man-made changes in
environmental conditions will affect individual organisms and the dynamics
of populations.
1. depletion of food
2. destruction of habitats
3. disease
4. natural disasters
5. pollution
6. population increase
7. urbanization
3.5.4 The student will illustrate how all organisms are part of and depend
on two major global food webs that are positively or negatively influenced
by human activity and technology.
1. oceanic food web
2. terrestrial food web
