⬤Explain the major themes and unifying principles of biology.
⬤Describe biology as an evidence-based scientific discipline.
⬤Apply the scientific method to biological investigations.
⬤Design, analyze, and interpret biological experiments.
⬤Evaluate scientific evidence using data, graphs, tables, and models.
⬤Explain evolution as the central organizing principle of biology.
⬤Describe Darwin’s theory of natural selection and adaptation.
⬤Explain mechanisms of evolution, including mutation, genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection.
⬤Describe how populations evolve over time.
⬤Explain speciation and evolutionary relationships among organisms.
⬤Interpret phylogenetic trees and evolutionary history.
⬤Describe the diversity and classification of life.
⬤Explain the chemical foundations of living systems.
⬤Describe atomic structure, chemical bonding, and molecular interactions.
⬤Explain the biological importance of water.
⬤Describe acids, bases, and pH in living organisms.
⬤Identify the structures and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
⬤Explain how biological macromolecules support cellular processes.
⬤Describe the organization and function of cells.
⬤Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
⬤Identify major organelles and explain their functions.
⬤Explain membrane structure and membrane transport.
⬤Describe diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, and active transport.
⬤Explain mechanisms of cell communication and signaling.
⬤Describe how cells obtain, transform, and use energy.
⬤Explain ATP production and energy transfer.
⬤Describe enzyme function and metabolic regulation.
⬤Explain cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
⬤Describe DNA structure, chromosomes, genes, and genomes.
⬤Explain DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing, and translation.
⬤Describe mechanisms regulating gene expression.
⬤Explain how mutations contribute to genetic diversity and disease.
⬤Apply Mendelian genetics and inheritance principles.
⬤Analyze relationships among alleles, genotypes, and phenotypes.
⬤Explain chromosome behavior during mitosis and meiosis.
⬤Describe how cell division contributes to growth, repair, and reproduction.
⬤Explain how meiosis promotes genetic variation.
⬤Describe applications of biotechnology and genetic engineering.
⬤Explain the characteristics of bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, plants, and animals.
⬤Describe plant structure, growth, transport, and reproduction.
⬤Explain plant adaptations and photosynthetic processes.
⬤Describe animal organization, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
⬤Explain physiological mechanisms that maintain homeostasis.
⬤Describe the functions of the nervous, endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, immune, urinary, muscular, skeletal, and reproductive systems.
⬤Explain ecological principles involving populations, communities, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
⬤Describe species interactions, food webs, energy flow, and nutrient cycling.
⬤Analyze factors affecting ecosystem stability and biodiversity.
⬤Explain human impacts on ecosystems and global environmental challenges.
⬤Evaluate conservation strategies and sustainability practices.
⬤Apply biological knowledge to medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, conservation, and environmental science.
⬤Integrate concepts from chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, physiology, ecology, and environmental biology to explain living systems.
⬤Develop critical-thinking, analytical, scientific reasoning, and problem-solving skills for biological inquiry.