North Carolina

From Molecules to Organisms - Structures and Processes

• LS.Bio.1 Analyze how the relationship between structure and function supports life processes within organisms.

  • LS.Bio.1.1 Construct an explanation to illustrate relationships between structure and function of major macromolecules essential for life.

    • 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)

  • LS.Bio.1.2 Carry out investigations to illustrate how enzymes act as catalysts for biochemical reactions and how environmental factors affect enzyme activity.

  • LS.Bio.1.3 Use models to explain how the structure of organelles determines its function and supports overall cell processes.

    • 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)
    • Types of passive transport (B-E.2)
    • Osmosis (B-E.3)

  • LS.Bio.1.4 Construct explanations to compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of structures and degree of complexity.

    • Compare cell types by their structures (B-D.)

  • LS.Bio.1.5 Construct an explanation to summarize how DNA and RNA direct the synthesis of proteins.

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

• LS.Bio.2 Analyze the growth and development processes of organisms.

  • LS.Bio.2.1 Use models to illustrate how cellular division results in the reproduction, growth, and repair of 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)
    • DNA replication (B-I.)

  • LS.Bio.2.2 Construct an explanation to illustrate that proteins regulate gene expression resulting in cellular differentiation, specialized cells with specific functions, and uncontrolled cell growth.

• LS.Bio.3 Analyze the relationship between biochemical processes and energy use.

  • LS.Bio.3.1 Carry out investigations to explain how homeostasis is maintained through feedback mechanisms.

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

  • LS.Bio.3.2 Use models to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into chemical energy.

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

  • LS.Bio.3.3 Use models to illustrate how cellular respiration [aerobic and anaerobic] transforms chemical energy into ATP.

    • The chemistry of cellular respiration (B-G.2)
    • Aerobic cellular respiration, anaerobic cellular respiration, and fermentation (B-G.)

Ecosystems - Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

• LS.Bio.4 Analyze the relationships between matter and energy within ecosystems.

  • LS.Bio.4.1 Use models to illustrate how processes in organisms contribute to the flow of energy and the cycling of matter within an ecosystem.

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

  • LS.Bio.4.2 Use models to explain the relationship between the flow of energy and cycling of matter among organisms in an ecosystem.

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

• LS.Bio.5 Understand ecosystem dynamics, functioning, and resilience.

  • LS.Bio.5.1 Use mathematics and computational thinking to explain how interactions between organisms (predator/prey, competition) affect carrying capacity and maintain stability in an ecosystem.

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

  • LS.Bio.5.2 Engage in argument from evidence to evaluate various solutions to reduce the impact of human activities on biodiversity and ecosystem health.

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

Heredity - Inheritance and Variation of Traits

• LS.Bio.6 Understand genetic mechanisms for variation.

  • LS.Bio.6.1 Use models to explain how DNA is passed from parents to offspring through the processes of meiosis and fertilization in sexual reproduction.

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

  • LS.Bio.6.2 Construct an explanation to summarize how inheritable genetic variations may result from: new genetic combinations in meiosis, mutations during replication, or mutations caused by environmental factors.

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

• LS.Bio.7 Understand types of inheritance and how the environment can influence traits.

  • LS.Bio.7.1 Use mathematics and computational thinking to predict the variation and distribution of expressed traits based on: Mendelian inheritance, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, multiple alleles, and sex-linked inheritance.

    • 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)

  • LS.Bio.7.2 Analyze and interpret data to explain how polygenic traits result in a wide range of phenotypes.

  • LS.Bio.7.3 Construct an explanation to summarize how traits result from interactions of genetic factors (multiple genes and/or alleles) and environmental factors.

• LS.Bio.8 Understand applications of genetics and biotechnology.

  • LS.Bio.8.1 Analyze and interpret data to compare DNA samples.

  • LS.Bio.8.2 Obtain and communicate information that summarizes the impact of biotechnology applications on the individual, society, and the environment, including agriculture and medicine.

Biological Evolution - Unity and Diversity

• LS.Bio.9 Understand natural selection as a mechanism for biological evolution.

  • LS.Bio.9.1 Analyze and interpret data to summarize how various factors such as geographic isolation, pesticide resistance, antibiotic resistance can influence natural selection.

  • LS.Bio.9.2 Construct an explanation to illustrate how 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)

  • LS.Bio.9.3 Use models to illustrate the conditions required for natural selection, including the overproduction of offspring, inherited variation, and the struggle to survive.

    • Source analysis: Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection (B-M.)

  • LS.Bio.9.4 Construct an explanation to explain how natural selection leads to adaptations within populations.

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

• LS.Bio.10 Analyze evolutionary relationships among organisms.

  • LS.Bio.10.1 Construct explanations to illustrate how varying environmental conditions may result in: changes in the number of individuals of a species, the emergence of new species over time, or the extinction of other species.

  • LS.Bio.10.2 Use models (including dichotomous keys, scientific nomenclature, cladograms, phylogenetic trees) to identify organisms and exemplify relationships.

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