The NGSS in Alabama

From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

• 1 Use models to compare and contrast how the structural characteristics of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids define their function in organisms.

  • Structure and function: carbohydrates (B-C.1)
  • Structure and function: lipids (B-C.2)
  • Structure and function: proteins (B-C.3)
  • Structure and function: nucleic acids (B-C.4)
  • Identify the structures and functions of biomolecules (B-C.5)
  • Compare the structures and functions of biomolecules (B-C.6)

• 2 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to describe the function and diversity of organelles and structures in various types of cells (e.g., muscle cells having a large amount of mitochondria, plasmids in bacteria, chloroplasts in plant cells).

  • 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)

• 3 Formulate an evidence-based explanation regarding how the composition of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) determines the structural organization of proteins.

  • 3.a Obtain and evaluate experiments of major scientists and communicate their contributions to the development of the structure of DNA and to the development of the central dogma of molecular biology.

    • Introduction to the genetic code (B-I.1)

  • 3.b Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information that explains how advancements in genetic technology (e.g., Human Genome Project, Encyclopedia of DNA Elements [ENCODE] project, 1000 Genomes Project) have contributed to the understanding as to how a genetic change at the DNA level may affect proteins and, in turn, influence the appearance of traits.

  • 3.c Obtain information to identify errors that occur during DNA replication (e.g., deletion, insertion, translocation, substitution, inversion, frame-shift, point mutations).

• 4 Develop and use models to explain the role of the cell cycle during growth and maintenance in multicellular organisms (e.g., normal growth and/or uncontrolled growth resulting in tumors).

  • Introduction to cell division (B-H.1)
  • The cell cycle (B-H.2)
  • Describe phases of mitosis and the cell cycle (B-H.3)

• 5 Plan and carry out investigations to explain feedback mechanisms (e.g., sweating and shivering) and cellular processes (e.g., active and passive transport) that maintain homeostasis.

  • Structure and function of the cell membrane (B-E.1)
  • Types of passive transport (B-E.2)
  • Osmosis (B-E.3)
  • Homeostasis and feedback loops (B-F.2)

  • 5.a Plan and carry out investigations to explain how the unique properties of water (e.g., polarity, cohesion, adhesion) are vital to maintaining homeostasis in organisms.

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

• 6 Analyze and interpret data from investigations to explain the role of products and reactants of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of matter and the flow of energy.

  • The chemistry of photosynthesis (B-G.1)
  • The chemistry of cellular respiration (B-G.2)

  • 6.a Plan and carry out investigations to explain the interactions among pigments, absorption of light, and reflection of light.

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

• 7 Develop and use models to illustrate examples of ecological hierarchy levels, including biosphere, biome, ecosystem, community, population, and organism.

• 8 Develop and use models to describe the cycling of matter (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, water) and flow of energy (e.g., food chains, food webs, biomass pyramids, ten percent law) between abiotic and biotic factors in ecosystems.

  • 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)

• 9 Use mathematical comparisons and visual representations to support or refute explanations of factors that affect population growth (e.g., exponential, linear, logistic).

  • Patterns of population growth (B-O.4)

• 10 Construct an explanation and design a real-world solution to address changing conditions and ecological succession caused by density-dependent and/or density-independent factors.

Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

• 11 Analyze and interpret data collected from probability calculations to explain the variation of expressed traits within a population.

  • 11.a Use mathematics and computation to predict phenotypic and genotypic ratios and percentages by constructing Punnett squares, including using both homozygous and heterozygous allele pairs.

    • Genetics vocabulary: genotype and phenotype (B-L.1)
    • Genetics vocabulary: dominant and recessive (B-L.2)
    • Punnett squares: Mendelian inheritance (B-L.3)

  • 11.b Develop and use models to demonstrate codominance, incomplete dominance, and Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment.

    • Punnett squares: incomplete dominance and codominance (B-L.4)
    • Punnett squares: multiple alleles (B-L.5)

  • 11.c Analyze and interpret data (e.g., pedigree charts, family and population studies) regarding Mendelian and complex genetic disorders (e.g., sickle-cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, type 2 diabetes) to determine patterns of genetic inheritance and disease risks from both genetic and environmental factors.

• 12 Develop and use a model to analyze the structure of chromosomes and how new genetic combinations occur through the process of meiosis.

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

  • 12.a Analyze data to draw conclusions about genetic disorders caused by errors in meiosis (e.g., Down syndrome, Turner syndrome).

Unity and Diversity

• 13 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain how organisms are classified by physical characteristics, organized into levels of taxonomy, and identified by binomial nomenclature (e.g., taxonomic classification, dichotomous keys).

  • Classify and describe organisms using domains (B-N.1)

  • 13.a Engage in argument to justify the grouping of viruses in a category separate from living things.

• 14 Analyze and interpret data to evaluate adaptations resulting from natural and artificial selection that may cause changes in populations over time (e.g., antibiotic-resistant bacteria, beak types, peppered moths, pest-resistant crops).

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

• 15 Engage in argument from evidence (e.g., mathematical models such as distribution graphs) to explain how the diversity of organisms is affected by overpopulation of species, variation due to genetic mutations, and competition for limited resources.

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

• 16 Analyze scientific evidence (e.g., DNA, fossil records, cladograms, biogeography) to support hypotheses of common ancestry and biological evolution.

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