The NGSS in Washington

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)
  • 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)

• 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)

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)

• 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.

  • Aerobic cellular respiration, anaerobic cellular respiration, and fermentation (B-G.)

• 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)
  • Trophic levels and energy pyramids (B-O.)

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

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)
  • Factors affecting carrying capacity (B-O.)
  • Factors affecting Yellowstone bison population dynamics (B-O.)

• 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)

• 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.

  • Ecological succession (B-O.)

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

• HS-LS2-8 Evaluate the 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)

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

Inheritance and Variation of Traits

• 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)

• 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)
  • Protein synthesis: transcription (B-J.)
  • Protein synthesis: translation (B-J.)

• 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.

  • Gene mutations (B-J.)
  • 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)

Natural Selection and Evolution

• 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)

• 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 .

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

• 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)

• 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.