Colorado

LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

• HS.2.1 DNA codes for the complex hierarchical organization of systems that enable life's functions.

  • HS.2.1.a Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

    • Introduction to the genetic code (B-I.1)
    • Protein synthesis: transcription (B-J.)
    • Read a codon wheel (B-J.1)
    • Read a codon table (B-J.2)
    • Use a codon wheel to transcribe and translate DNA sequences (B-J.3)
    • Use a codon table to transcribe and translate DNA sequences (B-J.4)

  • HS.2.1.b Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms.

    • Organization in the human body: the heart and the circulatory system (B-F.1)

  • HS.2.1.c Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

    • Homeostasis and feedback loops (B-F.2)

• HS.2.2 Growth and division of cells in complex organisms occurs by mitosis, which differentiates specific cell types.

  • HS.2.2.a Use a model to illustrate the role of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms.

    • Introduction to cell division (B-H.1)
    • The cell cycle (B-H.2)
    • Describe phases of mitosis and the cell cycle (B-H.3)
    • Identify phases of mitosis and the cell cycle in plant cells (B-H.4)

• HS.2.3 Organisms use matter and energy to live and grow.

  • HS.2.3.a Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.

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

  • HS.2.3.b Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and/or other large carbon-based molecules.

    • 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)

  • HS.2.3.c Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of food molecules and oxygen molecules are broken and the bonds in new compounds are formed resulting in a net transfer of energy.

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

LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

• HS.2.4 Organisms interact with the living and nonliving components of the environment to obtain matter and energy.

  • HS.2.4.a Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity of ecosystems at different scales.

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

  • HS.2.4.b Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.

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

• HS.2.5 Matter and energy necessary for life are conserved as they move through ecosystems.

  • HS.2.5.a Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

  • HS.2.5.b Use mathematical representations to support claims for the cycling of matter and flow of energy among organisms in an ecosystem.

    • Interpret a Serengeti food web (B-O.1)
    • Interpret an Antarctic food web (B-O.2)

  • HS.2.5.c Develop a model to illustrate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

    • The carbon cycle: biosphere processes and interactions (B-O.3)
    • The carbon cycle: geosphere processes and interactions (B-O.)

• HS.2.6 A complex set of interactions determine how ecosystems respond to disturbances.

  • HS.2.6.a Evaluate claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem.

  • HS.2.6.b Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

• HS.2.7 Organisms interact in groups to benefit the species.

  • HS.2.7.a Evaluate evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species' chances to survive and reproduce.

    • How can group behavior affect survival? Identify evidence to support a claim (B-O.5)

LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

• HS.2.8 The characteristics of one generation are dependent upon the genetic information inherited from previous generations.

  • HS.2.8.a Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring.

    • Structure and function: nucleic acids (B-C.4)
    • Introduction to the genetic code (B-I.1)
    • Protein synthesis: transcription (B-J.)

• HS.2.9 Variation between individuals results from genetic and environmental factors.

  • HS.2.9.a Apply concepts of statistics and probability to explain the variation and distribution of expressed traits in a population.

    • 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)

  • HS.2.9.b Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from: (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis, (2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.

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

LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

• HS.2.10 Evidence of common ancestry and diversity between species can be determined by examining variations including genetic, anatomical and physiological differences.

  • HS.2.10.a Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.

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

• HS.2.11 Genetic variation among organisms affects survival and reproduction.

  • HS.2.11.a Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment.

  • HS.2.11.b Apply concepts of statistics and probability to support explanations that organisms with an advantageous heritable trait tend to increase in proportion to organisms lacking this trait.

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

• HS.2.12 The environment influences survival and reproduction of organisms over multiple generations.

  • HS.2.12.a Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.

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

  • HS.2.12.b Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species.

• HS.2.13 Humans have complex interactions with ecosystems and have the ability to influence biodiversity on the planet.

  • HS.2.13.a Create or revise a simulation to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity.