The NGSS in Alabama

From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

• Cells

  • 1 Engage in evidence-based argument to relate a cell's function to the structure, function, and diversity of its components.

    • Cells and cell theory (B-D.)
    • Identify functions of plant cell parts (B-D.1)
    • Identify functions of animal cell parts (B-D.2)
    • Plant cell diagrams: label parts (B-D.3)
    • Animal cell diagrams: label parts (B-D.4)
    • Structure and function of the cell membrane (B-E.1)

• DNA and Protein Synthesis

  • 2 Obtain and evaluate information to explain the role of DNA and RNA in transcription and translation leading to protein synthesis and cellular function.

    • 2.a Use a model to describe the structure and sequence of DNA, including nucleotide structure, base pairing, and the structure of the helix.

      • Structure and function: nucleic acids (B-C.4)

    • 2.b Obtain and evaluate information to explore additional functions and regulatory roles of RNA, DNA, and protein, including their roles in gene expression and cellular differentiation.

      • Structure and function: proteins (B-C.3)
      • Introduction to the genetic code (B-I.1)

    • 2.c Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information regarding how DNA and genetic technology apply to daily life.

• Growth and Development

  • 3 Develop and use models to explain how events during the cell cycle lead to the formation of new cells and repair of multicellular organisms, including cell growth, DNA replication, separation of chromosomes, and separation of cell contents.

    • 3.a Construct an explanation of the process of DNA replication during cellular division (S-phase).

      • Introduction to cell division (B-H.1)
      • The cell cycle (B-H.2)

    • 3.b Using observations of cell growth, construct an explanation of how the cell cycle leads to differentiation in tissue development.

      • Introduction to cell division (B-H.1)
      • The cell cycle (B-H.2)

• Cellular Homeostasis

  • 4 Engage in argument from evidence to explain the regulation of cellular processes that maintain homeostasis, including active and passive transport.

    • Osmosis (B-E.3)

    • 4.a Use models to illustrate how the structural characteristics of lipids and proteins in the cell membrane regulate cellular processes.

      • Structure and function of the cell membrane (B-E.1)
      • Types of passive transport (B-E.2)

    • 4.b Construct an explanation of how the unique properties of water are vital to maintaining homeostasis in organisms.

      • Chemistry of water (B-B.1)
      • Properties of water: cohesion and adhesion (B-B.2)

• Photosynthesis and Respiration

  • 5 Plan and carry out investigations and utilize results to explain the role and cycling of products and reactants involved in the cellular conversion of energy.

    • 5.a Construct an explanation of how the structural characteristics of carbohydrates and lipids store energy.

      • Structure and function: carbohydrates (B-C.1)
      • Structure and function: lipids (B-C.2)

    • 5.b Use models of the reactants and products of photosynthesis to illustrate the conversion of light energy into stored chemical energy within cells.

      • The chemistry of photosynthesis (B-G.1)

    • 5.c Use models of the reactants and products of cellular respiration (both aerobic and anaerobic) to illustrate how chemical energy is stored in the bonds of carbohydrates and lipids and converted to ATP and heat when the bonds are broken.

      • The chemistry of cellular respiration (B-G.2)

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

• Interdependent Relationships

  • 6 Develop and use models to illustrate interactions between ecological hierarchy levels, including biosphere, biome, ecosystem, community, population, and organism.

• Matter and Energy Flow

  • 7 Develop and use models to illustrate the flow of matter and energy between abiotic and biotic factors in ecosystems, including loss of heat, 10% rule, and the conservation of matter.

    • Interpret a Serengeti food web (B-O.1)
    • Interpret an Antarctic food web (B-O.2)
    • The carbon cycle: biosphere processes and interactions (B-O.3)

• Population Dynamics

  • 8 Construct an evidence-based explanation of how density-dependent and density-independent factors affect population growth.

    • Patterns of population growth (B-O.4)
    • Factors affecting carrying capacity (B-O.)

• Biodiversity

  • 9 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate data to explain how the biodiversity of Alabama contributes to ecosystem services in the state.

    • 9.a Obtain and evaluate data to describe human impact on various Alabama ecosystems.

      • Kelp forests: factors affecting biodiversity (B-P.1)

  • 10 Engage in argument from evidence to support the claim that characteristics of an ecosystem contribute to its resilience and stability, including ecological succession and recovery from disturbance.

Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

• Inherited Traits and Environmental Impact

  • 11 Use probability and statistical models to explain the variation of expressed traits within a population.

    • 11.a Use mathematics and computational thinking to predict patterns of inheritance, including dominance, recessiveness, codominance, and incomplete dominance.

      • Genetics vocabulary: genotype and phenotype (B-L.1)
      • Genetics vocabulary: dominant and recessive (B-L.2)
      • Punnett squares: Mendelian inheritance (B-L.3)
      • Punnett squares: incomplete dominance and codominance (B-L.4)
      • Punnett squares: multiple alleles (B-L.5)

    • 11.b Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how the interplay of heritable risk factors, somatic mutations, and environment influences human disease.

• Heredity and Meiosis

  • 12 Develop and use an evidence-based model to illustrate the formation of reproductive cells through the process of meiosis.

    • Sexual reproduction and genetic variation: part I (B-K.1)

    • 12.a Construct an explanation of how new genetic combinations and variations occur during crossover.

      • Sexual reproduction and genetic variation: part II (B-K.)

    • 12.b Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how errors during meiosis and environmental factors affect the expression of traits.

Unity and Diversity

• Phylogenetics

  • 13 Analyze and interpret data to support hypotheses of common ancestry and biological evolution illustrated by cladograms and phylogenetic trees.

    • Evaluate fossil evidence of evolution (B-M.1)
    • Evaluate anatomical and molecular evidence of evolution (B-M.2)

    • 13.a Evaluate evidence supporting claims that viruses should be placed in a separate category from living things.

• Natural Selection

  • 14 Analyze and interpret data pertaining to adaptations resulting from natural and artificial selection to explain the evolution of populations.

    • Construct explanations of natural selection (B-M.3)

  • 15 Engage in argument from evidence to explain how populations respond to changes in the environment that can lead to speciation or extinction.