Biology 1 CP - 1 credit

3.3. Biological Sciences Biology concerns living things, their appearance, different types of life, the scope of their similarities and differences, where they live and how they live. Living things are made of the same components as all other matter, involve the same kinds of transformations of energy and move using the same basic kinds of forces as described in chemistry and physics standards. Through the study of the diversity of life, students learn to understand how life has changed over a long period of time. This great variety of life forms continues to change even today as genetic instructions within cells are passed from generation to generation, yet the amazing integrity of most species remain.

Pennsylvania’s public schools shall teach, challenge and support every student to realize his or her maximum potential and to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to . . .

A. Explain the structural and functional similarities and differences found among living things.

Identify and characterize major life forms according to their placement in existing classification groups.
Explain the relationship between structure and function at the molecular and cellular levels.
Describe organizing schemes of classification keys.
Identify and characterize major life forms by kingdom, phyla, class and order.

B. Describe and explain the chemical and structural basis of living organisms.

Describe the relationship between the structure of organic molecules and the function they serve in living organisms.
Identify the specialized structures and regions of the cell and the functions of each.
Explain how cells store and use information to guide their functions.
Explain cell functions and processes in terms of chemical reactions and energy changes.

C. Describe how genetic information is inherited and expressed.

Compare and contrast the function of mitosis and meiosis.
Describe mutations’ effects on a trait’s expression.
Distinguish different reproductive patterns in living things (e.g., budding, spores, fission).
Compare random and selective breeding practices and their results (e.g., antibiotic resistant bacteria).
Explain teh relationship among DNA, genes adn chromosomes.
Explain different types of inheritance (e.g., multiple allele, sex-influenced traits).
Describe the role of DNA in protein synthesis as it teaer to gene expression.

D. Explain the mechanisms of the theory of evolution.

analyze data from fossil records, similarities in anatomy and physiology, embriological studies that are relevant to the theory of evolution.
Explain the role of mutations and gene recombination in changing a population of organisms.
Compare modern day descendants of extinct species and propose possible scientific accounts for their present appearance.
Describe the factors (e.g., isolation, differential reproduction) affecting gene frequency in a population over time and their consequences.
Describe and differentiate between the roles of natural selection and genetic drift.
Describe changes that illustrate major events in the earth’s development based on a time line.
Explain why natural selection can act only on inherited traits.
Apply the concept of natural selection to illustrate and account for a species’ survival, extinction or change over time.

Environment & Ecology Standards - 10th grade

Environment and Ecology is concerned with the interrelationships among components of the natural and human-made world. These components incorporate the disciplines of ecology, resource management, agriculture diversity, government and the impact of human actions on natural systems. This interaction leads to the study of watersheds, threatened and endangered species, pest management and the development of laws and regulations that protect, control and manage the environment to meet societal needs for long term sustainability.

4.1. Watersheds and Wetlands
A. Describe changes that occur from a stream’s origin to its final outflow.

Identify Pennsylvania’s major watersheds and their related river systems.
Describe changes by tracing a specific river’s origin back to its headwaters including its major tributaries.

B. Explain the relationship among landforms, vegetation and the amount and speed of water.

Analyze a stream’s physical characteristics.
Describe how topography influences streams.
Explain the influence of mountains on precipitation.
Explain how vegetation affects storm water runoff.
Delineate the boundaries of a watershed.
Describe factors that affect the quality of groundwater.
Explain how the speed of water and vegetation cover relates to erosion.

C. Describe the physical characteristics of a stream and determine the types of organisms found in aquatic environments.

Describe and explain the physical factors that affect a stream and the organisms living there.
Identify terrestrial and aquatic organisms that live in a watershed.
Categorize aquatic organisms found in a watershed continuum from headwater to mouth (e.g., shredder, predator, decomposer).
Identify the types of organisms that would live in a stream based on the stream’s physical characteristics.
Explain the habitat needs of specific aquatic organisms.

D. Describe the multiple functions of wetlands.

Describe wetlands in terms of their effects (e.g., habitat, flood, buffer zones, prevention areas, nurseries, food production areas).
Explain how a wetland influences water quality, wildlife and water retention.
Analyze wetlands through their indicators (e.g., soils, plants, hydrology).

E. Identify and describe natural and human events on watersheds and wetlands.

Describe how natural events affect a watershed (e.g., drought, floods).
Identify the effects of humans and human events on watersheds.

4.2. Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
A. Explain that renewable and nonrenewable resources supply energy and materials.

Identify alternative sources of energy.
Identify and compare fuels used in industrial and agricultural societies.
Compare and contrast the cycles of various natural resources.
Explain food and fiber as renewable resources.

B. Evaluate factors affecting availability of natural resources.

Describe natural occurrences that may affect the natural resources.
Analyze technologies that affect the use of our natural resources.
Evaluate the effect of consumer desires on various natural resources.

C. Analyze how man-made systems have impacted the management and distribution of natural resources.

Explain the complete cycle of a natural resource, from extraction to disposal, detailing its uses and effects on the environment.
Analyze energy uses and energy conservation in different regions.
Examine conservation practices in different countries.
Analyze the costs and benefits of different man-made systems and how they use renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
Analyze the impact of information systems on management and distribution of natural resources.

D. Explain different management alternatives involved in recycling and solid waste management.

Analyze the manufacturing process (before, during and after) with consideration for resource recovery.
Compare various methods dealing with solid waste (e.g., incineration, compost, land application).
Differentiate between pre/post-consumer and raw materials.
Illustrate how one natural resource can be managed through reduction, recycling, reuse or use.

4.3. Environmental Health
A. Describe environmental health issues.

Identify the effects on human health of air, water and soil pollution and the possible economic costs to society.
Describe how indoor pollution may affect human health (e.g., dust mites, fumes, cat dandruff).
Explain the costs and benefits of cleaning up contaminants.
Explain how common household cleaning products are manufactured and how to dispose of their by-products after use.

B. Explain how multiple variables determine the effects of pollution on environmental health, natural processes and human practices.

Explain how human practices affect the quality of the water and soil.
Identify evidence of natural events around the world and their effects on environmental health (e.g., Yellowstone National Park fires).
Identify local and state environmental regulations and their impact on environmental health.
Analyze data and explain how point source pollution can be detected and eliminated.
Identify and explain ways of detecting pollution by using state-of-the-art technologies.

C. Explain biological diversity as an indicator of a healthy environment.

Explain species diversity.
Analyze the effects of species extinction on the health of an ecosystem.

4.4. Agriculture and Society
A. Describe the importance of agriculture to society.

Identify the major cash crops of Pennsylvania.
Identify what percentage of the United States’ population is involved in the food and fiber industry.
Compare and contrast the influence of agriculture on a nation’s culture, standard of living and foreign trade.
Identify laws that affect conservation and management of food and fiber production in the local area and analyze their impact.
Compare a contemporary economic issue in agriculture to its historical origin.

B. Assess the influence of agricultural science on farming practices.

Compare the practices of no-till farming to traditional soil preparation (e.g., plow, disc).
Analyze and explain the various practices of nutrient management on the farm.
Analyze and explain how farm efficiencies have changed human nutrition.

C. Explain the functions of the components of the food and fiber system.

Compare and analyze growing conditions in the United States to determine which plants and animals are most suitable to each region.
Compare the management practices needed for a commodity (i.e., production, processing, research and development, marketing, distribution and regulations.
Identify a commodity, its origin and its steps of production.
Compare and analyze the cost of a commodity to its production cost.
Identify and describe how food safety issues have impacted production in agriculture.

D. Analyze the efforts of increased efficiency in agriculture through technology.

Compare various technological advancements and analyze each for its contribution toward labor and cost efficiency.
Compare the current market value of both natural and alternative energy sources involved in the production of food and fiber.

4.5. Integrated Pest Management
A. Identify similar classifications of pests that may or may not have similar effects on different regions.

Identify environmental effect(s) of pests on different regions of the world.
Identify introduced species that are classified as pests in their new environments.

B. Analyze health benefits and risks associated with integrated pest management.

Identify the health risks associated with chemicals used in common pesticides.
Assess various levels of control within different integrated pest management practices including increased immunity to pesticides, food safety, sterilization, nutrient management and weed control.

C. Determine the effects of integrated pest management practices on society over time.

Analyze the risks to the environment and society associated with alternative practices used in integrated pest management.
Analyze the benefits to the environment and society associated with alternative practices used in integrated pest management.

4.6. Ecosystems and their Interactions
A. Explain the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem and their interaction.

Identify the major biomes and explain their similarities and differences.
Compare and contrast the interactions of biotic and abiotic components in an ecosystem.
Analyze the effects of abiotic factors on specific ecosystems.
Describe how the availability of resources affects organisms in an ecosystem.
Explain energy flow in a food chain through an energy pyramid.
Evaluate the efficiency of energy flow in a food chain.
Explain the concept of carrying capacity in an ecosystem.
Explain trophic levels.
Identify a specific environmental impact and predict what change may take place to affect homeostasis.
Examine and explain how organisms modify their environments to sustain their needs.
Assess the effects of latitude and altitude on biomes.
Interpret possible causes of population fluctuations.
Explain how erosion and sedimentation have changed the quality of soil related habitats.

B. Explain how cycles affect the balance in an ecosystem.

Describe an element cycle and its role in an ecosystem.
Explain the consequences of interrupting natural cycles.

C. Analyze how ecosystems change over time.

Identify and explain the succession stages in an ecosystem.
Identify causes of succession.
Analyze consequences of interrupting natural cycles.

4.7. Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species
A. Explain the significance of diversity in ecosystems.

Explain the role that specific organisms have in their ecosystem.
Identify a species and explain what effects its increase or decline might have on the ecosystem.
Identify a species and explain how its adaptations are related to its niche in the environment.

B. Explain how structure, function and behavior of plants and animals affect their ability to survive.

Describe an organism’s adaptations for survival in its habitat.
Compare adaptations among species.

C. Identify and explain why adaptations can lead to specialization.

Explain factors that could lead to a species’ increase or decrease.
Explain how management practices may influence the success of specific species.
Identify and explain criteria used by scientists for categorizing organisms as threatened, endangered or extinct.

4.8. Humans and the Environment
A. Analyze how society’s needs relate to the sustainability of natural resources.

Explain why some societies have been unable to meet their natural resource needs.
Compare and contrast the use of natural resources and the environmental conditions in several countries.
Describe how uses of natural resources impact sustainability.

B. Analyze the relationship between the use of natural resources and sustaining our society.

Explain the role of natural resources in sustaining society.
Analyze the effects of a natural resource’s availability on a community or region.

C. Analyze how human activities may cause changes in an ecosystem.

Analyze and evaluate changes in the environment that are the result of human activities.
Compare and contrast the environmental effects of different industrial strategies (e.g., energy generation, transportation, logging, mining, agriculture).

D. Explain how the concept of supply and demand affects the environment.

Identify natural resources for which societal demands have been increasing.
Identify specific resources for which human consumption has resulted in scarcity of supply (e.g., buffalo, lobsters).
Describe the relationship between population density and resource use and management.

4.9. Environmental Laws and Regulations
A. Explain why environmental laws and regulations are developed and enacted.

Explain the positive and negative impacts associated with passing environmental laws and regulations.
Understand conflicting rights of property owners and environmental laws and regulations.
Analyze the roles that local, state and federal governments play in the development and enforcement of environmental laws.
Identify local and state environmental regulations and their impact on environmental health.
Explain the positive and negative impacts of the Endangered Species Act.

2004- 2005 K Robbins

Selinsgrove Area High School

Science Dept.