The NGSS in Kentucky

LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

• LS1.A Structure and Function

  • HS-LS1-1 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)
    • 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-LS1-2 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-LS1-3 Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

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

• LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms

  • HS-LS1-4 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)

• LS1.C Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems

  • HS-LS1-5 Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.

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

  • HS-LS1-6 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-LS1-7 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

• LS2.A Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

  • HS-LS2-1 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)

  • HS-LS2-2 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)

• LS2.B Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems

  • HS-LS2-3 Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for the cycling of matter and flow of energy in aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

  • HS-LS2-4 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-LS2-5 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)

• LS2.C Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience

  • HS-LS2-6 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-LS2-7 Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.

• LS2.D Social Interactions and Group Behavior

  • HS-LS2-8 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

• LS3.A Inheritance and Variation of Traits

  • HS-LS3-1 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)

• LS3.B Variation of Traits

  • HS-LS3-2 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.)

  • HS-LS3-3 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)

LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

• LS4.A Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity

  • HS-LS4-1 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)

• LS4.B Natural Selection and Evolution

  • HS-LS4-2 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-LS4-3 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)

• LS4.C Adaptation

  • HS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.

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

  • HS-LS4-5 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.

• LS4.D Biodiversity and Humans

  • HS-LS4-6 Create or revise a simulation to test a solution to mitigate adverse impacts of human activity on biodiversity.