In this unit we study systems in organisms, from the instructions for part construction located in genes to their structure and function, their heredity, and how they change over time.
Living Systems as Machines
1.3.9. Analyze the scientific evidence used to develop the theory of biological evolution and the concepts of natural selection, speciation, adaptation, and biological diversity.
Describe the factors that drive natural selection (i.e., overproduction of offspring, genetic variability of offspring, finite supply of resources, competition for resources, and differential survival).
Explain how natural selection and adaptation lead to organisms well suited for survival in particular environments.
Examine or characterize the degree of evolutionary relationship between organisms based on biochemical, genetic, anatomical, or fossil record similarities and differences. [Classification]
1.1.6. Analyze structural, cellular, biochemical, and genetic characteristics in order to determine the relationships among organisms.
Analyze the relationship among organisms based on their shared physical, biochemical, genetic, and cellular characteristics and functional processes. [Classification]
1.2.6. Understand cellular structures, their functions, and how specific genes regulate these functions.
Describe cellular structures that allow cells to extract and use energy from food, eliminate wastes, and respond to the environment (e.g., every cell is covered by a membrane that controls what goes into and out of the cell). [Cell structure and function]
Describe how DNA molecules are long chains linking four kinds of smaller molecules, whose sequence encodes genetic information.
Describe how genes (DNA segments) provide instructions for assembling protein molecules in cells. [Protein synthesis]
Describe how proteins control life functions (e.g., the proteins myosin and actin interact to cause muscular contraction; the protein hemoglobin carries oxygen in some organisms). [Function of proteins in cells and organisms]
1.2.7. Understand how genetic information (DNA) in the cell is encoded at the molecular level and provides genetic continuity between generations.
Describe how organisms pass on genetic information via asexual life cycles (i.e., the replication of genes in asexual reproduction results in the same gene combinations in the offspring as those of the parent). [Mitosis]
Describe how organisms pass on genetic information via sexual life cycles (i.e., parents pass on chromosomes, which contain genes, to their offspring and sorting and recombination of genes in sexual reproduction results in variety of gene combinations and phenotypes in the offspring of any two parents)
Describe the possible results from mutation in DNA (e.g., only mutations in sex cells can be passed to offspring; mutations in other cells can only be passed to descendant cells). [DNA mutations; karyotype; heredity]
1.2.8. Analyze how human organ systems regulate growth, development, and life functions.
Name the structural and functional characteristics of human organ systems, including the endocrine, immune, nervous, reproductive, and skin systems. [Study human organ systems]
Describe how the human body maintains relatively constant internal conditions (e.g., temperature, acidity, and blood sugar). [Homeostasis]
Explain how human organ systems help maintain human health. [Homeostasis & Immunity]
Describe the role of human organ systems during human growth and development. [Growth and Development]
Compare the structure and function of a human body system or subsystem to a nonliving system (e.g., human joints to hinges, enzyme and substrate to interlocking puzzle pieces). [Structural Analogies]