Louisiana

HS-LS1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

• 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 in living organisms.

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

• HS-LS1-4 Use a model to illustrate the role of the cell cycle 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-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)

• HS-LS1-8 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about (1) viral and bacterial reproduction and adaptation, (2) the body's primary defenses against infection, and (3) how these features impact the design of effective treatment.

HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics

• HS-LS2-1 Use mathematical and/or computational representations to support explanations of factors that affect carrying capacity, biodiversity and populations of ecosystems at different scales.

  • Patterns of population growth (B-O.4)
  • Factors affecting carrying capacity (B-O.)
  • Kelp forests: factors affecting biodiversity (B-P.1)

• 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-LS2-6 Evaluate the 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.

HS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

• HS-LS3-1 Formulate, refine, and evaluate 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)

• 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)

HS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

• HS-LS4-1 Analyze and interpret 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-LS4-2 Construct an explanation based on evidence that biological diversity is influenced by (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 populations of organisms adapt when an advantageous heritable trait increases in proportion to organisms lacking this trait.

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

• HS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection and other mechanisms lead to genetic changes in populations.

• HS-LS4-5 Evaluate evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions can affect the distribution of traits in a population causing: (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.