Biology Keystone – Eligible Content
Cells and Cell Processes
Basic Biological Principles
Module 1, Anchor 1
1) characteristics common to all life: prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes
2) structure & function at biological levels of organization: organelles,
cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms
dominant organelles: nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondrion, ER,
ribosomes, lysosomes, golgi appartus
The Chemical Basis for Life
1)
2)
3)
4)
Module 1, Anchor 2
properties of water: freezing point, high specific heat, cohesion
properties of carbon
macromolecules: carbs, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids
enzymes – catalysts affected by pH, temp, concentration
Bioenergetics
Module 1, Anchor 3
1) how cells process energy: plastids (chloroplasts) and mitochondria
2) energy transformations: photosynthesis, cellular respiration,
role of ATP
Homeostasis & Transport
Module 1, Anchor 4
1) materials into, out of and throughout cells: cell membrane,
passive and active transport, organelles (ER and golgi)
2) homeostasis: thermoregulation, water regulation, oxygen regulation
Continuity and Unity of Life
Cell Growth & Reproduction
Module 2, Anchor 1
1) cell cycle: interphase, nuclear division (mitosis/meiosis), cytokinesis
Genetics
Module 2, Anchor 2
1) inheritance: DNA, genes, chromosomes, alleles
2) DNA replication and protein synthesis (transcription, translation,
protein modification)
3) Mendelian and non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance: dominant,
recessive, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, sex-linked,
polygenic, and multiple alleles
4) more on inhert. patterns: crossing-over, nondisjunction, duplication,
translocation, deletion, insertion, and inversion
5) genetic mutations may or may not affect phenotype (silent,
nonsense, frame-shift)
6) genetic engineering: selective breeding, gene splicing, cloning,
genetically modified organisms, gene therapy
Theory of Evolution
Module 2, Anchor 3
1) mechanisms of evolution: natural selection, isolating mechanisms,
genetic drift, founder effect, migration, genetic mutations
2) evidence: fossils, anatomy, physiology, embryology, biochemistry,
universal genetic code
3) hypothesis, theory, inference, law, principle, fact, observation
Ecology
Module 2, Anchor 4
1) organization: organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome,
biosphere
2) biotic and abiotic factors of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
3) interactions in an ecosystem
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
energy flow – food chains, food webs, energy pyramids
biotic – competition, predation, symbiosis
matter cycles – water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen
human disturbances – climate change, nonnative species, pollution, fires
limiting factors – population dynamics, potential extinction