I. CONTENT STANDARDS 1. The Chemistry of Life Central Concept: Chemical elements form organic molecules that interact to perform the basic functions of life. 1.1 Recognize that biological organisms are composed primarily of very few elements. The six most common are C, H, N, O, P, and S. 1.2 Describe the basic molecular structures and primary functions of the four major categories of organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids). 1.3 Explain the role of enzymes as catalysts that lower the activation energy of biochemical reactions. Identify factors, such as ph and temperature that have an effect on enzymes. SE/TE: 45, 49, 55 SE/TE: 46-49, 55-57, 59, 204, 344, 869-870, 890 SE/TE: 52-53, 54, 55, 57 2. Cell Biology Central Concepts: Cells have specific structures and functions that make them distinctive. Processes in a cell can be classified broadly as growth, maintenance, and reproduction. 2.1 Relate cell parts/organelles (plasma membrane, nuclear envelope, nucleus, nucleolus, cytoplasm, mitochondrion, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, ribosome, vacuole, cell wall, chloroplast, cytoskeleton, centriole, cilium, flagellum, pseudopod) to their functions. Explain the role of cell membranes as a highly selective barrier (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, active transport). 2.2 Compare and contrast, at the cellular level, the general structures and degrees of complexity of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. 2.3 Use cellular evidence (e.g., cell structure, cell number, cell reproduction) and modes of nutrition to describe the six kingdoms (Archaebacteria, Eubacteria, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia). 2.4 Identify the reactants, products, and basic purposes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Explain the interrelated nature of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cells of photosynthetic organisms. SE/TE: 196-205, 206-207, 208-213, 218, 219-222, 223, 230 SE/TE: 193-194, 219-220, 223 SE/TE: 523-528, 531, 534, 535 SE/TE: 230-234, 235-239, 241, 243-245, 247, 250-253, 254-260, 267-268, 271 1
2.5 Explain the important role that ATP serves in metabolism. 2.6 Describe the cell cycle and the process of mitosis. Explain the role of mitosis in the formation of new cells, and its importance in maintaining chromosome number during asexual reproduction. 2.7 Describe how the process of meiosis results in the formation of haploid cells. Explain the importance of this process in sexual reproduction, and how gametes form diploid zygotes in the process of fertilization. 2.8 Compare and contrast a virus and a cell in terms of genetic material and reproduction. SE/TE: 226-228, 235-239, 241, 243-246, 254-260, 262-265, 267-270, 271 SE/TE: 279-285, 299-301, 303 SE/TE: 323-326, 329, 330, 331, 333, 335 SE/TE: 197, 207, 219, 276-278, 299-300, 575, 579, 595-596 3. Genetics Central Concepts: Genes allow for the storage and transmission of genetic information. They are a set of instructions encoded in the nucleotide sequence of each organism. Genes code for the specific sequences of amino acids that comprise the proteins characteristic to that organism. 3.1 Describe the basic structure (double helix, sugar/phosphate backbone, linked by complementary nucleotide pairs) of DNA, and describe its function in genetic inheritance. 3.2 Describe the basic process of DNA replication and how it relates to the transmission and conservation of the genetic code. Explain the basic processes of transcription and translation, and how they result in the expression of genes. Distinguish among the end products of replication, transcription, and translation. 3.3 Explain how mutations in the DNA sequence of a gene may or may not result in phenotypic change in an organism. Explain how mutations in gametes may result in phenotypic changes in offspring. 3.4 Distinguish among observed inheritance patterns caused by several types of genetic traits (dominant, recessive, codominant, sexlinked, polygenic, incomplete dominance, multiple alleles). SE/TE: 344-348, 355-356, 358, 359 SE/TE: 350-353, 355, 357-358, 359, 364-365, 368-371, 385-386 SE/TE: 372-376, 385, 387 SE/TE: 310, 312, 319-321, 331-332, 334, 335, 394-397, 411, 415 2
3.5 Describe how Mendel s laws of segregation and independent assortment can be observed through patterns of inheritance (e.g., dihybrid crosses). 3.6 Use a Punnett Square to determine the probabilities for genotype and phenotype combinations in monohybrid crosses. SE/TE: 311-312, 317-318, 331-332 SE/TE: 315-316, 318, 332 4. Anatomy and Physiology Central Concepts: There is a relationship between the organization of cells into tissues and the organization of tissues into organs. The structures and functions of organs determine their relationships within body systems of an organism. Homeostasis allows the body to perform its normal functions. 4.1 Explain generally how the digestive system (mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum) converts macromolecules from food into smaller molecules that can be used by cells for energy and for repair and growth. 4.2 Explain how the circulatory system (heart, arteries, veins, capillaries, red blood cells) transports nutrients and oxygen to cells and removes cell wastes. Describe how the kidneys and the liver are closely associated with the circulatory system as they perform the excretory function of removing waste from the blood. Recognize that kidneys remove nitrogenous wastes, and the liver removes many toxic compounds from blood. 4.3 Explain how the respiratory system (nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, alveoli) provides exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. 4.4 Explain how the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, sensory neurons, motor neurons) mediates communication among different parts of the body and mediates the body s interactions with the environment. Identify the basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron, and explain generally how it works. SE/TE: 875-881, 889, 890-891, 893 SE/TE: 883-887, 889, 891, 893, 946-953, 954, 961, 971-972, 975 SE/TE: 963-967, 969, 971, 973, 975 SE/TE: 896-900, 901-904, 906-908, 915-918, 919 3
4.5 Explain how the muscular/skeletal system (skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles, bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons) works with other systems to support the body and allow for movement. Recognize that bones produce blood cells. 4.6 Recognize that the sexual reproductive system allows organisms to produce offspring that receive half of their genetic information from their mother and half from their father, and that sexually produced offspring resemble, but are not identical to, either of their parents. 4.7 Recognize that communication among cells is required for coordination of body functions. The nerves communicate with electrochemical signals, hormones circulate through the blood, and some cells produce signals to communicate only with nearby cells. 4.8 Recognize that the body s systems interact to maintain homeostasis. Describe the basic function of a physiological feedback loop. SE/TE: 920-927, 928-933, 940, 941-944, 945 SE/TE: 820, 995, 1001 SE/TE: 217, 219, 863, 896-900, 901-904, 906-908, 909-913, 915-918, 919, 931, 942, 953, 978-981, 982-987, 991-993, 1003-1006 SE/TE: 19, 44, 55, 215, 217, 219, 221-222, 732, 798, 803, 827-830, 833, 835-836, 837, 863-867, 882, 886-887, 889-890, 892, 901, 904, 907, 937, 941, 943, 960, 967, 975, 978, 981, 984, 986-987, 991, 1002, 1003-1004, 1006, 1028, 1029 5. Evolution and Biodiversity Central Concepts: Evolution is the result of genetic changes that occur in constantly changing environments. Over many generations, changes in the genetic make-up of populations may affect biodiversity through speciation and extinction. 5.1 Explain how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from the fossil record, comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of natural selection. 5.2 Describe species as reproductively distinct groups of organisms. Recognize that species are further classified into a hierarchical taxonomic system (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) based on morphological, behavioral, and molecular similarities. Describe the role that geographic isolation can play in speciation. 5.3 Explain how evolution through natural selection can result in changes in biodiversity through the increase or decrease of genetic diversity within a population. SE/TE: 450-453, 460-464, 465-473, 474, 475-478, 479 SE/TE: 495-497, 503, 505, 511-514, 531-532 SE/TE: 487-489, 492, 503 4
6. Ecology Central Concept: Ecology is the interaction among organisms and between organisms and their environment. 6.1 Explain how birth, death, immigration, and emigration influence population size. 6.2 Analyze changes in population size and biodiversity (speciation and extinction) that result from the following: natural causes, changes in climate, human activity, and the introduction of invasive, non-native species. 6.3 Use a food web to identify and distinguish producers, consumers, and decomposers, and explain the transfer of energy through trophic levels. Describe how relationships among organisms (predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, mutualism) add to the complexity of biological communities. 6.4 Explain how water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle between abiotic resources and organic matter in an ecosystem, and how oxygen cycles through photosynthesis and respiration. SE/TE: 132-135, 147, 150, 151 SE/TE: 76, 78, 91, 106-109, 124-126, 139-140, 148-150, 168-170, 181, 184 SE/TE: 69-72, 73-78, 89-92, 93, 100-104, 123-124, 127 SE/TE: 79-84, 86, 89, 91-92 II. SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY SKILLS STANDARDS Scientific literacy can be achieved as students inquire about the biological world. The curriculum should include substantial hands-on laboratory and field experiences, as appropriate, for students to develop and use scientific skills in biology, along with the inquiry skills listed below. SIS1. Make observations, raise questions, and formulate hypotheses. Observe the world from a scientific perspective. Pose questions and form hypotheses based on personal observations, scientific articles, experiments, and knowledge. SE/TE: 26, 54, 67, 72, 88, 108, 138, 180, 193, 234, 264, 283, 311, 354, 457, 530, 594, 603, 612, 620, 635, 651, 656, 665, 683, 686, 698, 720, 732, 744, 788, 797, 800, 810, 816, 878, 908, 924, 932, 940, 964, 1000 SE/TE: 54, 58, 88, 90, 92, 122, 126, 149, 180, 182, 218, 222, 240, 242, 244-245, 266, 269-270, 298, 300, 311, 354, 358, 381, 400, 410, 457, 477, 505-506, 533, 597, 612, 620, 624, 626, 629-630, 638, 660, 688, 690, 706, 720, 723-724, 732, 747, 774, 778, 802, 810, 832, 836, 850, 852, 854-856, 914, 940, 944, 970, 1004 5
Read, interpret, and examine the credibility and validity of scientific claims in different sources of information, such as scientific articles, advertisements, or media stories. found on the following pages: SE/TE: 16, 136, 261, 402, 493, 493, 831, 846, 874, 934 SIS2. Design and conduct scientific investigations. Articulate and explain the major concepts being investigated and the purpose of an investigation. Select required materials, equipment, and conditions for conducting an experiment. SE/TE: 54, 57, 90, 122, 146, 180, 182, 221, 244, 298, 321, 332, 354, 412, 626, 688, 691, 714, 720, 722, 832, 852, 917, 970, 972 SE/TE: 54, 57, 90, 122, 146, 180, 182, 221, 244, 298, 321, 332, 354, 412, 626, 688, 691, 714, 720, 722, 832, 852, 917, 970, 972 Identify independent and dependent variables. SE/TE: 54, 180, 244, 298 Write procedures that are clear and replicable. SE/TE: 54, 57, 90, 122, 146, 180, 182, 221, 244, 298, 321, 332, 354, 412, 626, 688, 691, 714, 720, 722, 832, 852, 917, 970, 972 Employ appropriate methods for accurately and consistently o making observations SE/TE: 26, 54, 67, 72, 88, 108, 138, 180, 193, 234, 264, 283, 311, 354, 457, 530, 594, 603, 612, 620, 635, 651, 656, 665, 683, 686, 698, 720, 732, 744, 788, 797, 800, 810, 816, 878, 908, 924, 932, 940, 964, 1000 o making and recording measurements at appropriate levels of precision o collecting data or evidence in an organized way Properly use instruments, equipment, and materials (e.g., scales, probeware, meter sticks, microscopes, computers) including set-up, calibration (if required), technique, maintenance, and storage. SE/TE: 54, 264, 266, 594, 626, 635, 656, 688, 774, 832, 914, 970 SE/TE: 43, 72, 108, 180, 266, 541, 594, 626, 766, 832, 844 SE/TE: 26, 43, 54, 88, 108, 146, 180, 193, 218, 234, 242, 264, 266, 283, 354, 440, 594, 603, 612, 620, 626, 635, 651, 656, 683, 686, 688, 698, 732, 744, 774, 788, 797, 800, 816, 832, 866, 878, 888, 914, 932, 940, 964, 970, 1000, 1028 Follow safety guidelines. SE/TE: 26, 43, 54, 67, 72, 88, 108, 122, 146, 180, 193, 218, 234, 242, 264, 266, 283, 354, 440, 457, 502, 564, 594, 603, 612, 620, 626, 635, 651, 656, 683, 686, 688, 698, 720, 732, 744, 788, 797, 800, 810, 816, 832, 852, 866, 878, 888, 914, 932, 940, 964, 970, 1000, 1028 6
SIS3. Analyze and interpret results of scientific investigations. Present relationships between and among variables in appropriate forms. o Represent data and relationships between and among variables in charts and graphs. o Use appropriate technology (e.g., graphing software) and other tools. Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data results. Assess the reliability of data and identify reasons for inconsistent results, such as sources of error or uncontrolled conditions. Use results of an experiment to develop a conclusion to an investigation that addresses the initial questions and supports or refutes the stated hypothesis. State questions raised by an experiment that may require further investigation. SE/TE: 43, 180, 266, 474, 541, 683, 766, 844, 970 found on the following pages: SE/TE: 43, 180, 266, 474, 541, 683, 766, 844, 970 SE/TE: 311, 315, 395, 457, 683, 951 found on the following pages: SE/TE: 8, 1107, 1118 SE/TE: 54, 88, 122, 146, 180, 218, 242, 266, 298, 330, 354, 384, 474, 502, 594, 626, 656, 688, 720, 832, 888, 914, 940, 970 found on the following pages: SE/TE: 54, 122, 180, 298, 384, 626, 688, 852, 970 SIS4. Communicate and apply the results of scientific investigations. Develop descriptions of and explanations for scientific concepts that were a focus of one or more investigations. Review information, explain statistical analysis, and summarize data collected and analyzed as the result of an investigation. Explain diagrams and charts that represent relationships of variables. SE/TE: 13, 26, 36, 43, 54, 67, 72, 88, 108, 122, 138, 146, 155, 180, 193, 203, 218, 234, 242, 264, 266, 275, 283, 298, 311, 315, 330, 352, 354, 367, 374, 384, 395, 405, 410, 425, 438, 440, 451, 457, 474, 502, 512, 520, 530, 541, 564, 575, 594, 603, 612, 620, 626, 635, 651, 656, 665, 683, 686, 688, 698, 720, 732, 744, 766, 774, 788, 797, 800, 810, 816, 832, 844, 852, 866, 878, 888, 908, 914, 924, 932, 940, 951, 964, 970, 990, 1000, 1002, 1021, 1028 SE/TE: 54, 88, 122, 146, 180, 218, 242, 266, 298, 330, 354, 384, 438, 440, 541, 683, 688, 774 SE/TE: 43, 180, 266, 474, 541, 683, 844 7
Construct a reasoned argument and respond appropriately to critical comments and questions. Use language and vocabulary appropriately, speak clearly and logically, and use appropriate technology (e.g., presentation software) and other tools to present findings. Use and refine scientific models that simulate physical processes or phenomena. SE/TE: 43, 67, 108, 264, 283, 603, 612, 620, 651, 665, 683, 686, 732, 788, 797, 810, 816, 878, 924 SE/TE: 13, 26, 36, 43, 54, 67, 72, 88, 108, 122, 138, 146, 155, 180, 193, 203, 218, 234, 242, 264, 266, 275, 283, 298, 311, 315, 330, 352, 354, 367, 374, 384, 395, 405, 410, 425, 438, 440, 451, 457, 474, 502, 512, 520, 530, 541, 564, 575, 594, 603, 612, 620, 626, 635, 651, 656, 665, 683, 686, 688, 698, 720, 732, 744, 766, 774, 788, 797, 800, 810, 816, 832, 844, 852, 866, 878, 888, 908, 914, 924, 932, 940, 951, 964, 970, 990, 1000, 1002, 1021, 1028 SE/TE: 36, 180, 203, 218, 330, 352, 374, 384, 395, 405, 502, 541, 575, 774, 1021 III. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Students are expected to know the content of the Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework, through grade 8. Below are some specific skills from the Mathematics Framework that students in this course should have the opportunity to apply: - Construct and use tables and graphs to interpret data sets. SE/TE: 43, 180, 266, 474, 541, 683, 766, 844, 970, 1099-1101 - Solve simple algebraic expressions. found on the following page: SE/TE: 327 - Perform basic statistical procedures to analyze the center and spread of data. - Measure with accuracy and precision (e.g., length, volume, mass, temperature, time) - Convert within a unit (e.g., centimeters to meters). - Use common prefixes such as milli-, centi-, and kilo-. SE/TE: 315, 457, 683, 1117 SE/TE: 54, 266, 594, 635, 688, 832, 866, 914, 970, 1118 SE/TE: 1121 SE/TE: 594, 635, 688, 832, 866, 914, 970, 1108 - Use scientific notation, where appropriate. SE/TE: 1120 - Use ratio and proportion to solve problems. SE/TE: 275, 1121 8
The following skills are not detailed in the Mathematics Framework, but are necessary for a solid understanding in this course: - Determine the correct number of significant figures. - Determine percent error from experimental and accepted values. - Use appropriate metric/standard international (SI) units of measurement for mass (kg); length (m); and time (s). SE/TE: 1119 found on the following page: SE/TE: 1118 SE/TE: 54, 594, 635, 688, 832, 914 - Use the Celsius scale. SE/TE: 54, 266, 866, 1108 http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/scitech/1006.pdf 9