Community High School District 128
Course Standards and Targets
Course Title: Introductory Life Science
Standard #1: (Illinois State Science Goal #11)
Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions,
conduct experiments, and solve problems
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Understand the steps of the scientific method
Know the basics of the metric system
Know how a microscope functions
Interpret data representations
Conduct established controlled experiments
Standard #2: (McRel Science Standard #4)
Understand the principles of heredity and related concepts
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Know DNA’s structure and role within the body
Understand how an organism’s genetic code influences their lives
Know Mendelian principles of genetics
Apply Mendelian principles of genetics using Punnett Squares
Know Post-Mendelian principles of genetics
Interpret pedigree charts
Standard #3: (McRel Science Standard #5)
Understand the structure and function of cells and organisms
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Understand why cells are small
Analyze how material moves in and out of cells
Know the building blocks of cells
Understand the process of cellular division
Identify the requirements of a living organism
Understand the main points of the cell theory
Understand the basics of the skeletal system
Understand the basics of the muscular system
Understand the basics of the digestive system
Analyze why nutrition is important for humans
Understand the basics of the cardiovascular system
Know the characteristics of blood and blood vessels
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Standard #3: (McRel Science Standard #5)
Understand the structure and function of cells and organisms (Continued)
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Understand the basics of the respiratory system
Understand the basics excretory system
Understand the basics of the nervous system
Demonstrate how humans use the five senses
Understand the basics of the reproductive system
Know the basic characteristics of a plant cell / plant organ (root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, and
seed)
Standard #4: (McRel Science Standard #6)
Understand relationships among organisms and their physical environment
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Demonstrate how energy is transferred between organisms and between organisms and the
environment
Know the characteristics of a population
Understand the process of succession
Understand the differences in the major biomes of the world
Analyze how a biological cycle functions
Standard #5: (McRel Science Standard #7)
Understand biological evolution and the diversity of life
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Understand how organisms change over time
Analyze the hierarchy of biological organization
Analyze how organisms are identified and classified using dichotomous keys
Know the characteristics of the 6-kingdoms
Know the characteristics of organisms in the kingdom archaebacteria
Know the characteristics of organisms in the kingdom eubacteria
Know the characteristics of organisms in the kingdom protista
Know the characteristics of organisms in the kingdom fungi
Know the characteristics of organisms in the kingdom plantae
Know the characteristics of organisms in the kingdom anamalia
Standard #6: (Illinois State Science Goal #13)
Understand the relationships among science, technology and society in historical and
contemporary contexts
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Understand the difference between biotic and abiotic factors and the environment
As humans, know our role in environmental conservation
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