HS Models: Handout 12
Table 5 G-1. Overview of Instructional Segments for High School Biology
(4-Course Model)
From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
1
Structure and
Function
2
Growth and
Development of
Organisms
All cells contain genetic information in the form of DNA
molecules. DNA provides the blueprint to build proteins in
order for cells to function. Cells act as living organisms that
can carry on life work together to become organs and organ
systems. What happens when organs fail? How do diseases
affect cells?
One of the characteristics of life is the growth of organisms.
In order for organisms to grow, parent cells have to pass on
their genetic information to daughter cells, which happens
during cell division. Once cell division occurs; cells can then
differentiate into specific cell types.
Students track the movement of matter and energy through
plants and animals and relate the flow to photosynthesis and
Organization for cellular respiration. These processes interact to provide
Matter and Energy energy for living systems (from the individual all the way to
Flow in Organisms the ecosystem).
3
Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
4
Interdependent
Relationships in
Ecosystems
Resources determine the carrying capacity of populations of
organisms living in an ecosystem. Abiotic and biotic changes
can alter resource availability and affect populations.
Students model the cycling of matter in ecosystems
(including the carbon and nitrogen cycles) and relate these
Cycles of Matter cycles to energy transfer. Because animals need to survive,
and Energy Flows they only store about 10% of the energy they consume as
in Ecosystems
biomass.
When resources are limited, all organisms in an ecosystem
6
suffer. Humans often alter resource availability.
Ecosystem
Conservation biology examines ways to restore ecosystems
dynamics,
others have disrupted or destroyed.
functioning, and
resilience
This Instructional Segment focuses on ability for gene pools
in populations to be passed on as modeled in survival of
7
Social Interactions reproducing individuals, including individuals raising young
(rather than having young), colonies and herds used for
and Group
protecting young so traits are passed on, and other modes
Behavior
of group behavior.
5
HS Models: Handout 12
Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Trait
8
Inheritance of
Traits
Students obtain information about the history of
understanding that led to the structure of DNA. Students
also learn that DNA provides a code that is transcribed into
RNA and that this code is translated into a protein.
Traits are passed from generation to generation in a very
ordered way. Predictions of offspring traits can be made
9
through Punnett squares. Even within the same family,
Variation of Traits organisms can have different combinations of traits.
Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
10
Evidence of
Common Ancestry
and Diversity
This Instructional Segment focuses on evidence of evolution
through common ancestry, homologous and analogous
structures, and commonalities of organisms.
Darwin’s observations and inferences led to our
understanding of evolution. How can these be applied to all
11
Natural Selection living things?
12
Adaptation and
Biodiversity
A culmination of the course. Topics include how populations
maintain diversity and what selective pressures mean for
survival and all of this is tied to how organisms maintain life
(the overarching question in biology).