1. Uses terms and processes employed in scientific research.

1.1. Demonstrates proficiency in the use of science process skills in laboratory and/or field activities involving observation, classification, communication, metric measurement, prediction, inference, identifying variables, formulating hypotheses, etc

1.2. Produces written reports of laboratory and/or field activities in accepted formats and use precise language for presentations of procedure, tables of data, graphs, analytical methods, results, and analyses of error.

1.3. Uses laboratory equipment to conduct safe and accurate laboratory work.

1.4. Demonstrates the proper care and use of the microscope and how to prepare slides.

2. Demonstrates appropriate use of reference sources to access, analyze, evaluate, and present information related to research problems.

2.1. Uses media resources such as print, audiovisual, and online services to find information.

3. Explains the significance of biology (e.g., impact on daily life).

3.1. Defines biology and major divisions (e.g., botany and genetics).

3.2. Explains the use of biology in daily life.

4. Explains the cellular basis of life.

4.1. Distinguishes between living and nonliving things (e.g., characteristics of living things).

4.2. States the cell theory.

4.3. Differentiates between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

4.4. Identifies common cell organelles and describe the function of each (e.g., diagrams and microscopic examinations).

4.5. Distinguishes between unicellular and multicellular organisms. <

5. Explains homeostasis and describes the transport of materials through cell membranes.

5.1. Explains the role of homeostasis in maintaining life.

5.2. Cites examples of homeostatic mechanisms in unicellular and multicellular organisms.

5.3. Describes processes whereby substances enter and leave the cell (passive and active transport mechanisms)

5.4 Compares the reaction of plant and animal cells in solutions of different solute concentrations, (e.g., isotonic, hypotonic, hypertonic

6. Recognizes that life has a chemical basis.

6.1. Demonstrates an understanding of basic chemical principles, (e.g., phases of matter, atomic structure, bonding, acids, bases).

6.2. Identifies the elements of the earthi,s atmosphere and crust that comprise living cells.

6.3. Explains the special role of water in living systems.

6.4. Describes the four basic types of organic compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) and their functions in the cell.

7. Explains the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.

7.1. Diagrams and explains ATP-ADP cycle.

7.2. Lists the reactants, products, and other requirements of photosynthesis.

7.3. Lists the reactants, products, and other requirements of respiration.

8. Explains the structure of DNA and RNA and their role in protein synthesis.

8.1. Describes the double-helix model.

8.2. Summarizes the processes of replication, transcription, and translations.

9. Describes the process of cell division.

9.1. Identifies the phases of mitosis.

9.2. Describes the process of cytokinesis.

9.3. States the significance of mitosis to unicellular and multicellular organisms.

9.4. Compares meiosis in sperm and egg formation, (e.g., cell number, cell size, and chromosome number).

10. Explains and uses the basic Mendelian genetic principles.

10.1. Defines important genetic terms.

10.2. Given parental genotypes, predicts the phenotypic, and genotypic probabilities of subsequent generations.

11. Describes patterns of inheritance and genetic engineering.

11.1. Relates normal patterns of genetic inheritance to genetic variation (e.g., crossing over).

11.2. Relates abnormal patterns of genetic inheritance to genetic disorders and disease (e.g., nondisjunction).

11.3. Lists significant contributions of genetic engineering to agricultural and medical practices.

12. Describes and applies concepts of origins.

12.1. Explains historical and current theories of origins (e.g., Big Bang, evolution, and others).

12.2. Compares micro- and macro-evolution.

12.3. Explains natural selection and how it is affected by environmental changes.

13. Discriminates relationships when using a classification model to group living things.

13.1. Recognizes and uses the Linnean system of nomenclature as an accepted system of classification.

13.2. Uses a dichotomous key to classify a variety of living things based on structural similarities and differences in a laboratory setting.

13.3. Describes characteristics of organisms and identifies examples of at least five different kingdoms.

13.4. Identifies common examples of organisms in each of the kingdoms.

14. Explains the structure and function of viruses.

14.1. Describes the structure of viruses and the manner in which they infect living cells.

14.2. Describes transmission, treatment, and possible prevention of specific viral diseases.

15. Describes characteristics and examples of monerans.

15.1. Describes the cellular structure and the conditions necessary for growth and reproduction.

15.2. Describes common diseases caused by bacteria and their treatments (e.g., streptococcal, infections, pneumonia).

15.3. Describes methods of bacterial control in food preparation, handling, and storage.

15.4. Lists beneficial effects of monerans.

16. Describes the characteristics and examples of protists.

16.1. Compares the phyla of protozoa.

16.2. Compares alga phyla and identify examples of each.

16.3. Describes the beneficial and harmful effects of protozoa and algae.

17. Describes the characteristics and list examples of fungi.

17.1. Compares and identifies fungi phyla.

17.2. Explains the beneficial and harmful effects of fungi.

18. Describes the similarities and differences of spore producing plants.

18.1. Identifies the structure for nonvascular and vascular spore producing plants.

18.2. Describes the conditions necessary for growth and reproduction.

18.3. Explains the life cycles of mosses and ferns.

19. Describes the similarities and differences of seed producing plants.

19.1. Lists and describes distinguishing characteristics of gymnosperms and angiosperms.

19.2. Describes the structure and function of roots, stems, leaves, and flowers.

19.3. Explains the process of sexual and asexual plant reproduction (e.g., pollination, fertilization, germination).

19.4. Describes the importance of seed plants for food, medicine, and other products.

20. Describes the anatomy and physiology of each phyla of invertebrates.

20.1. Explains the classification of organisms within each phyla.

20.2. Identifies major structures and their functions for common organisms in each phylum of invertebrates.

20.3. Describes the life processes of selected organisms in each phylum, i.e.,

20.4. Evaluates the economic significance of certain invertebrates.

21. Describes the anatomy and physiology of classes of vertebrates.

21.1. Explains the taxonomy of each class of vertebrates.

21.2. Identifies major structures and their functions for common organisms in each class of vertebrates.

21.3. Describes the life processes of common organisms in each class of vertebrates (reproduction, response, nutrition, and behavior).

22. Analyzes the overall organization of the human body.

22.1. Describes the basic function of each body system.

22.2. Explains how the organ systems interact to maintain homeostasis.

23. Describes the anatomy of each system.

23.1. Identifies the organs and structural parts present in each system (e.g., circulatory: heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries).

23.2. Describes the basic structure of the major organ in each system (e.g., heart: chambers, valves; lungs: bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli).

24. Describes the physiology of each system.

24.1. Identifies the function of each structural part in the human body system.

24.2. Explains how the parts interrelate in a functioning system.

25. Explains the structure of an ecosystem.

25.1. Identifies and explains the interactions of biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem.

25.2. Explains the components of a community (e.g., populations, species, niche, and habitat).

25.3. Traces the flow of matter and energy through a food chain and food webs.

25.4. Describes changes that occur in an ecosystem (e.g., ecological succession).

25.5. Uses the principles of population growth to describe how a population changes.

26. Lists and describes the major biomes of the world.

26.1. Locates the major biomes on a world map.

26.2. Compares the biotic and abiotic factors that distinguish the major biomes.

27. Assess the impact of man's activities on the environment and explore ways to help solve ecological problems.

27.1. Analyzes the possible causes of certain ecological problems (e.g., acid rain and pollution).

27.2. Identifies possible solutions to current ecological problems.