Virginia Standards of Learning: Biology
Skills available for Virginia Biology standards
Topic
Print skill plan
BIO
Biology
BIO.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by
BIO.1.a asking questions and defining problems
BIO.1.a asking questions and defining problems
BIO.1.a.i: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena and/or organisms, from examining models and theories, and/or to seek additional information
BIO.1.a.i: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena and/or organisms, from examining models and theories, and/or to seek additional information
BIO.1.a.ii: determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field to determine relationships between independent and dependent variables
BIO.1.a.ii: determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field to determine relationships between independent and dependent variables
BIO.1.a.iii: generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles
BIO.1.a.iii: generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles
BIO.1.a.iv: make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated
BIO.1.a.iv: make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated
BIO.1.b planning and carrying out investigations
BIO.1.b planning and carrying out investigations
BIO.1.b.i: individually and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations
BIO.1.b.i: individually and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations
BIO.1.b.ii: plan and conduct investigations or test design solutions in a safe and ethical manner including considerations of environmental, social, and personal effects
BIO.1.b.ii: plan and conduct investigations or test design solutions in a safe and ethical manner including considerations of environmental, social, and personal effects
BIO.1.b.iii: determine appropriate sample size and techniques
BIO.1.b.iii: determine appropriate sample size and techniques
BIO.1.b.iv: select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate data
BIO.1.b.iv: select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate data
BIO.1.c interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data
BIO.1.c interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data
BIO.1.c.i: construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means
BIO.1.c.i: construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means
BIO.1.c.ii: construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data
BIO.1.c.ii: construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data
BIO.1.c.iii: use data in building and revising models, supporting an explanation for phenomena, or testing solutions to problems
BIO.1.c.iii: use data in building and revising models, supporting an explanation for phenomena, or testing solutions to problems
BIO.1.c.iv: analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution
BIO.1.c.iv: analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution
BIO.1.d constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations
BIO.1.d constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations
BIO.1.d.i: make quantitative and/or qualitative claims regarding the relationship between dependent and independent variables
BIO.1.d.i: make quantitative and/or qualitative claims regarding the relationship between dependent and independent variables
BIO.1.d.ii: construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources including students' own investigations, models, theories, simulations, and peer review
BIO.1.d.ii: construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources including students' own investigations, models, theories, simulations, and peer review
BIO.1.d.iii: apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena and design solutions
BIO.1.d.iii: apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena and design solutions
BIO.1.d.iv: compare and evaluate competing arguments or design solutions in light of currently accepted explanations and new scientific evidence
BIO.1.d.iv: compare and evaluate competing arguments or design solutions in light of currently accepted explanations and new scientific evidence
BIO.1.d.v: construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence
BIO.1.d.v: construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence
BIO.1.d.vi: differentiate between a scientific hypothesis and theory
BIO.1.d.vi: differentiate between a scientific hypothesis and theory
BIO.1.e developing and using models
BIO.1.e developing and using models
BIO.1.e.i: evaluate the merits and limitations of models
BIO.1.e.i: evaluate the merits and limitations of models
BIO.1.e.ii: develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships
BIO.1.e.ii: develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships
BIO.1.e.iii: develop and/or use models to generate data to support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems
BIO.1.e.iii: develop and/or use models to generate data to support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems
BIO.1.f obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
BIO.1.f obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
BIO.1.f.i: compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problem
BIO.1.f.i: compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problem
BIO.1.f.ii: gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source
BIO.1.f.ii: gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source
BIO.1.f.iii: communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena in multiple formats
BIO.1.f.iii: communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena in multiple formats
BIO.2 The student will investigate and understand that chemical and biochemical processes are essential for life. Key ideas include
BIO.2.a water chemistry has an influence on life processes;
BIO.2.a water chemistry has an influence on life processes;
BIO.2.b macromolecules have roles in maintaining life processes;
BIO.2.b macromolecules have roles in maintaining life processes;
BIO.2.c enzymes have a role in biochemical processes;
BIO.2.c enzymes have a role in biochemical processes;
BIO.2.d protein synthesis is the process of forming proteins which influences inheritance and evolution; and
Structure of DNA
Protein synthesis
Codon charts
BIO.2.d protein synthesis is the process of forming proteins which influences inheritance and evolution; and
Structure of DNA
Protein synthesis
Codon charts
BIO.2.e the processes of photosynthesis and respiration include the capture, storage, transformation, and flow of energy.
BIO.2.e the processes of photosynthesis and respiration include the capture, storage, transformation, and flow of energy.
BIO.3 The student will investigate and understand that cells have structure and function. Key ideas include
BIO.3.a the cell theory is supported by evidence;
BIO.3.a the cell theory is supported by evidence;
BIO.3.b structures in unicellular and multicellular organisms work interdependently to carry out life processes;
Plant cells
Animal cells
BIO.3.b structures in unicellular and multicellular organisms work interdependently to carry out life processes;
Plant cells
Animal cells
BIO.3.c cell structures and processes are involved in cell growth and division;
The cell cycle
Mitosis
DNA replication
BIO.3.c cell structures and processes are involved in cell growth and division;
The cell cycle
Mitosis
DNA replication
BIO.3.d the structure and function of the cell membrane support cell transport; and
Passive transport
BIO.3.d the structure and function of the cell membrane support cell transport; and
Passive transport
BIO.3.e specialization leads to the development of different types of cells.
BIO.3.e specialization leads to the development of different types of cells.
BIO.4 The student will investigate and understand that bacteria and viruses have an effect on living systems. Key ideas include
BIO.4.a viruses depend on a host for metabolic processes;
BIO.4.a viruses depend on a host for metabolic processes;
BIO.4.b the modes of reproduction/replication can be compared;
BIO.4.b the modes of reproduction/replication can be compared;
BIO.4.c the structures and functions can be compared;
BIO.4.c the structures and functions can be compared;
BIO.4.d bacteria and viruses have a role in other organisms and the environment; and
BIO.4.d bacteria and viruses have a role in other organisms and the environment; and
BIO.4.e the germ theory of infectious disease is supported by evidence.
BIO.4.e the germ theory of infectious disease is supported by evidence.
BIO.5 The student will investigate and understand that there are common mechanisms for inheritance. Key ideas include
BIO.5.a DNA has structure and is the foundation for protein synthesis;
BIO.5.a DNA has structure and is the foundation for protein synthesis;
BIO.5.b the structural model of DNA has developed over time;
BIO.5.b the structural model of DNA has developed over time;
BIO.5.c the variety of traits in an organism are the result of the expression of various combinations of alleles;
Introduction to genetics
Punnett squares
BIO.5.c the variety of traits in an organism are the result of the expression of various combinations of alleles;
Introduction to genetics
Punnett squares
BIO.5.d meiosis has a role in genetic variation between generations; and
BIO.5.d meiosis has a role in genetic variation between generations; and
BIO.5.e synthetic biology has biological and ethical implications.
BIO.5.e synthetic biology has biological and ethical implications.
BIO.6 The student will investigate and understand that modern classification systems can be used as organizational tools for scientists in the study of organisms. Key ideas include
BIO.6.a organisms have structural and biochemical similarities and differences;
BIO.6.a organisms have structural and biochemical similarities and differences;
BIO.6.b fossil record interpretation can be used to classify organisms;
BIO.6.b fossil record interpretation can be used to classify organisms;
BIO.6.c developmental stages in different organisms can be used to classify organisms;
BIO.6.c developmental stages in different organisms can be used to classify organisms;
BIO.6.d Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya are domains based on characteristics of organisms;
BIO.6.d Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya are domains based on characteristics of organisms;
BIO.6.e the functions and processes of protists, fungi, plants, and animals allow for comparisons and differentiation within the Eukarya kingdoms; and
BIO.6.e the functions and processes of protists, fungi, plants, and animals allow for comparisons and differentiation within the Eukarya kingdoms; and
BIO.6.f systems of classification are adaptable to new scientific discoveries.
BIO.6.f systems of classification are adaptable to new scientific discoveries.
BIO.7 The student will investigate and understand that populations change through time. Key ideas include
BIO.7.a evidence is found in fossil records and through DNA analysis;
BIO.7.a evidence is found in fossil records and through DNA analysis;
BIO.7.b genetic variation, reproductive strategies, and environmental pressures affect the survival of populations;
BIO.7.b genetic variation, reproductive strategies, and environmental pressures affect the survival of populations;
BIO.7.c natural selection is a mechanism that leads to adaptations and may lead to the emergence of new species; and
BIO.7.c natural selection is a mechanism that leads to adaptations and may lead to the emergence of new species; and
BIO.7.d biological evolution has scientific evidence and explanations.
BIO.7.d biological evolution has scientific evidence and explanations.
BIO.8 The student will investigate and understand that there are dynamic equilibria within populations, communities, and ecosystems. Key ideas include
BIO.8.a interactions within and among populations include carrying capacities, limiting factors, and growth curves;
BIO.8.a interactions within and among populations include carrying capacities, limiting factors, and growth curves;
BIO.8.b nutrients cycle with energy flow through ecosystems;
BIO.8.b nutrients cycle with energy flow through ecosystems;
BIO.8.c ecosystems have succession patterns; and
BIO.8.c ecosystems have succession patterns; and
BIO.8.d natural events and human activities influence local and global ecosystems and may affect the flora and fauna of Virginia.
BIO.8.d natural events and human activities influence local and global ecosystems and may affect the flora and fauna of Virginia.