Essential Understandings - Biology

Term 1 Standards

1. Describe and use the fundamental processes that scientists use in the investigation
of life.

2. Describe the fundamental chemistry of living cells.

3. Describe the flow of energy and matter in cellular function.

4. Explain relationships between matter cycles and organisms.

Term 2 Standards

1. Describe how interactions among organisms and their environment help shape ecosystems.

2. Summarize how energy flows through an ecosystem.

3. Investigate the structure and function of cells and cell parts.

4. Compare sexual and asexual reproduction.

Term 3 Standards

1. Predict and interpret patterns of inheritance in sexually reproducing organisms.

2. Explain how the structure and replication of DNA are essential to heredity and protein synthesis.

3. Relate principles of evolution to biological diversity.

4. Cite evidence of changes in populations over time and use concepts of evolution to explain these changes.

Term 4 Standards

1. Classify organisms into a hierarchy of groups based on similarities.

2. Describe the structure and function of organs.

3. Describe the relationship between structure and function of organ systems in
plants and animals.