Science HS Biotechnology CED PDF

High School
Biotechnology
Curriculum Essentials
Document
Boulder Valley School District

Department of Curriculum and Instruction
May 2012
Introduction
Science Curriculum Essentials in BVSD
In 2009, the Colorado Department of Education published the most recent version of the Colorado
Academic Standards.
This revision of the Boulder Valley School District Science Curriculum had three main goals:
 align with the revised Colorado Academic Standards
 maintain unique elements of our BVSD curriculum that reach beyond the standards
 maintain a viable list of concepts and skills that students should master in each grade level or
course
Inquiry
A new organizational feature of the Colorado Academic Standards is the integration of science inquiry
skills with specific scientific concepts. Instead of having a separate standard for inquiry, the skills
associated with the process of scientific inquiry are embedded in the Evidence Outcomes for each
Grade Level Expectation. In addition, the nature and history of science has been integrated into the
Grade Level Expectations under “Nature of the Discipline”. This approach is echoed by the
Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas which
states that the skills or practices of inquiry and the core ideas “must be woven together in standards,
curricula, instruction, and assessments.”
Scientific inquiry remains a central focus of the revised BVSD Science Curriculum Essentials
Documents. The following definition from the National Science Education Standards serves as the
basis for our common understanding of how scientific inquiry is defined.
Scientific inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose
explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Inquiry also refers to the activities of
students in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an
understanding of how scientists study the natural world.
The following points serve to clarify the vision of what inquiry means in BVSD.
Inquiry involves five essential features, which are heavily integrated into the wording of Evidence
Outcomes in the Colorado Academic Standards. Students engaged in scientific inquiry should:
 ask or respond to scientifically oriented questions
 give priority to evidence
 formulate explanations based on evidence
 connect explanations to scientific knowledge
 communicate and justify explanations
(Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards)
Inquiry based science instruction involves a continuum of learning experiences from teacher-led to
learner self-directed activities, including but not limited to hand-on labs. Hence, both a structured
assignment involving reading and written reflection and an open-ended, hands-on investigation could
be considered inquiry as long as they involve the five essential features identified above.
The ultimate goals of inquiry-based instruction are to engage learners, develop their conceptual
understanding of the natural world around them, and to overcome misconceptions in science.
Inquiry-based activities should balance students’ application of content knowledge, creativity and
critical thinking in order to analyze data, solve a problem or address a unique question.
5/8/2012 BVSD Curriculum Essentials 2

Biotechnology Overview
Course Description Topics at a Glance

Students will explore the fundamental principles of • Scientific inquiry
biotechnology and business applications. Units of • Laboratory techniques
study include: plant tissue culturing; plant and • Basic biochemistry
animal agriculture; DNA, RNA, and protein • DNA structure and function
technologies; genetic diagnostics; healthcare and • Protein structure and function
pharmaceuticals; food processing (GMO’s); • Biotechnology applications
fermentation technology; energy and • Bioethics
environmental management; forensic science;
cloning; stem cells; and bioethics. Laboratory
activities reinforce concepts and principles
presented.
Assessments
 10th grade TCAP
 Science ACT
 Teacher-created assessments
Standard Big Ideas in Biotechnolgy (Grade Level Expectations)
2. Life Science 1. Research and application in the field of technology involve safe
laboratory practices, science process skills, and use of appropriate
technology.
2. Cellular metabolic activities are carried out by biomolecules produced
by organisms.
3. Physical and behavioral characteristics of an organism are influenced to
varying degrees by heritable genes, many of which encode instructions
for the production of proteins.
4. Biotechnology can be applied as a possible solution to many
problems facing human society, but the use of biotechnology can
also have associated risks.

2. Life Science
Students know and understand the characteristics and structure of living things, the processes of life and how
living things interact with each other and their environment.
Prepared Graduates
The preschool through twelfth-grade concepts and skills that all students who complete the Colorado
education system must master to ensure their success in a postsecondary and workforce setting.
Prepared Graduate Competencies in the Life Science standard:
 Analyze the relationship between structure and function in living systems at a variety of
organizational levels, and recognize living systems’ dependence on natural selection
 Explain and illustrate with examples how living systems interact with the biotic and
abiotic environment
 Analyze how various organisms grow, develop, and differentiate during their lifetimes
based on an interplay between genetics and their environment
 Explain how biological evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of living organisms

Content Area: Science - High School Biotechnology
Prepared Graduates:
Engage in scientific inquiry by asking or responding to scientifically oriented questions, collecting and analyzing data, giving
priority to evidence, formulating explanations based on evidence, connecting explanations to scientific knowledge, and
communicating and justifying explanations
GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATION
Concepts and skills students master:
1. Research and application in the field of technology involves safe laboratory practices, science process skills, and use of
appropriate technology
Evidence Outcomes 21st Century Skills and Readiness Competencies
Students can: Inquiry Questions:
a. Start and maintain a legal scientific notebook 1. What types of questions and hypotheses can be answered
b. Learn emergency procedures and the location of safety by science?
hazards and emergency equipment 2. What elements of design are critical in conducting a
c. Conduct a controlled experiment scientific investigation?
d. Analyze and report data 3. How can we ensure that scientific investigations are both
e. Conduct a variety of basic procedures, tests and assays safe and consistent with standard scientific practice?
common to many biotechnology applications (use of 4. What techniques and procedures are commonly used in
microscope, preparation of solutions, serial dilution, biotechnology? (e.g., Cloning, DNA Sequencing, PCR,
preparation of growth media, sterile technique, Electrophoresis, DNA fingerprinting, microarrays, ELISA,
chromatography, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, spectrometry, etc.)
etc.) Relevance and Application:
f. Understand and apply appropriate safety procedures 1. Biotechnology employs a wide variety of techniques that
g. Grow, maintain, and monitor bacteria and fungi are applied to both basic research and applications.
h. Learn microscope use for prepared and wet mount slides 2. Safe practices in the lab extend to safe practices in the
workplace.
Nature of the Discipline:
1. The scientific method involves formulating a hypothesis,
designing experiments to test the hypothesis, and
evaluating the data to determine if the results support the
hypothesis.

Standard: 2. Life Science
Prepared Graduates:
Analyze the relationship between structure and function in living systems at a variety of organizational levels, and recognize living
systems’ dependence on natural selection
2. Cellular metabolic activities are carried out by biomolecules produced by organisms
a. Identify biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins and 1. How are rates of enzyme activity in cells affected by
nucleic acids and their precursors/building blocks various factors such as concentration, pH or temperature?
b. Understand the structure and function of proteins and the 2. How does one know that enzymes speed up chemical
role of enzymes as catalysts reactions?
c. Test enzyme activity at different concentrations or use a 3. How does the shape of a protein relate to its function?
test to identify various macromolecules in solution 4. How does the structure of DNA support its functions?
d. Describe the basic structure and function of DNA 5. How does cell signaling and cell division relate to the
e. Synthesize a compound using combinatorial chemistry health of a cell/organism?
Relevance and Application:
1. Apply knowledge of biomolecular structure and activity to
make consumer decisions, especially about diet with
respect to saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, essential
and nonessential amino acids, and simple and complex
carbohydrates.
2. Recognize that many biomolecules can be made in the lab
and have the exact same structure and function as ones
made by living organisms.
3. Apply knowledge of cell signaling, cell division, and
biomolecules to discuss possible treatments of cancer.
1. Recognize that there are many career opportunities in the
field of biotechnology.

Prepared Graduates:
Analyze how various organisms grow, develop, and differentiate during their lifetimes based on an interplay between genetics and
their environment
3. Physical and behavioral characteristics of an organism are influenced to varying degrees by heritable genes, many of which
encode instructions for the production of proteins
a. Analyze and interpret evidence that genes are functional 1. Why is it possible for a cell from one species to express
portions of DNA genes from another species as in genetically modified
b. Analyze and interpret data on the processes of DNA organisms?
replication, transcription, translation, and gene Relevance and Application:
regulation, and show how these processes are common 1. Recombinant DNA technology has many uses in society such
to all organisms as the development of new medical therapies and increased
c. Recognize that proteins carry out most cell activities and production of drugs.
mediate the effect of genes on physical and behavioral 2. Selective breeding differs from genetic modification, yet
traits in an organism shares a common goal.
d. Use examples to explain how genetic mutations can 3. There are benefits and risks to having genetically modified
benefit, harm, or have neutral effects on an organism organisms in the food supply.
4. DNA replication errors may affect phenotype.
5. Genome sequences provide clues to important biological
questions.
6. The practical applications of DNA technology affect our lives
in many ways (e.g., medical applications, pharmaceutical
products, forensic evidence, environmental clean-up, and
agricultural applications).
1. Recognize that private and public laboratories perform
research on genetically modified organisms. Discuss the
ethical implications and the funding of such research.
2. Understand that scientists work from the assumption that
basic principles for genetics apply to all organisms.

Prepared Graduates:
Explain and illustrate with examples how living systems interact with the biotic and abiotic environment
4. Biotechnology can be applied as a possible solution to many problems facing human society, but the use of biotechnology can
also have associated risks
a. Be able to explain, using evidence, that the principles of 1. Why is it possible to clone a whole organism from an
cloning are based upon the majority of an organism’s cells undifferentiated cell?
maintaining a full complement of the genome 2. Why do researchers seek stem cells for the development
b. Explain the benefits and risks of genetically modified of potential treatments for medical conditions?
organisms Relevance and Application:
c. Describe the benefits and costs of using biotechnology to 1. Stem cells may be used to treat medical conditions such
solve environmental problems as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, torn cartilage, and
d. Understand and debate the ethical issues concerning damaged hearts.
biotechnology 2. Recent research and insights into DNA and genes have
changed aspects of society such as: the criminal justice
system, food supply, and medical treatments.
3. DNA cloning permits production of multiple copies of a
specific gene or other DNA segments.
4. There are many career opportunities in the field of
biotechnology.
1. Debate the advantages and disadvantages of
bioengineering (cloning and genetically modifying
organisms) in the food supply.
2. Debate the ethical and political issues associated with
stem cell research and how these affect research.

Prepared Graduate Competencies in Science
The preschool through twelfth-grade concepts and skills that all students who complete the Colorado
education system must master to ensure their success in a postsecondary and workforce setting.
Prepared Graduates:
 Observe, explain, and predict natural phenomena governed by Newton's laws of motion,
acknowledging the limitations of their application to very small or very fast objects
 Apply an understanding of atomic and molecular structure to explain the properties of matter, and
predict outcomes of chemical and nuclear reactions
 Apply an understanding that energy exists in various forms, and its transformation and conservation
occur in processes that are predictable and measurable
 Analyze the relationship between structure and function in living systems at a variety of
organizational levels, and recognize living systems’ dependence on natural selection
 Explain and illustrate with examples how living systems interact with the biotic and abiotic
environment
 Analyze how various organisms grow, develop, and differentiate during their lifetimes based on an
interplay between genetics and their environment
 Explain how biological evolution accounts for the unity and diversity of living organisms
 Describe and interpret how Earth's geologic history and place in space are relevant to our
understanding of the processes that have shaped our planet
 Evaluate evidence that Earth’s geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere interact as a
complex system
 Describe how humans are dependent on the diversity of resources provided by Earth and Sun
 Engage in scientific inquiry by asking or responding to scientifically oriented questions, collecting and
analyzing data, giving priority to evidence, formulating explanations based on evidence, connecting
explanations to scientific knowledge, and communicating and justifying explanations.

Standard Grade Level Expectation
High School
1. Physical 1. Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation describe the relationships
Science among forces acting on and between objects, their masses, and
changes in their motion – but have limitations
2. Matter has definite structure that determines characteristic physical
and chemical properties
3. Matter can change form through chemical or nuclear reactions abiding
by the laws of conservation of mass and energy
4. Atoms bond in different ways to form molecules and compounds that
have definite properties
5. Energy exists in many forms such as mechanical, chemical, electrical,
radiant, thermal, and nuclear, that can be quantified and
experimentally determined
6. When energy changes form, it is neither created not destroyed;
however, because some is necessarily lost as heat, the amount of
energy available to do work decreases
2. Life Science 1. Matter tends to be cycled within an ecosystem, while energy is
transformed and eventually exits an ecosystem
2. The size and persistence of populations depend on their interactions
with each other and on the abiotic factors in an ecosystem
3. Cellular metabolic activities are carried out by biomolecules produced
by organisms
4. The energy for life primarily derives from the interrelated processes of
photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Photosynthesis transforms the
sun’s light energy into the chemical energy of molecular bonds.
Cellular respiration allows cells to utilize chemical energy when these
bonds are broken.
5. Cells use the passive and active transport of substances across
membranes to maintain relatively stable intracellular environments
6. Cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems maintain relatively stable
internal environments, even in the face of changing external
environments
7. Physical and behavioral characteristics of an organism are influenced
to varying degrees by heritable genes, many of which encode
instructions for the production of proteins
8. Multicellularity makes possible a division of labor at the cellular level
through the expression of select genes, but not the entire genome
9. Evolution occurs as the heritable characteristics of populations change
across generations and can lead populations to become better adapted
to their environment

High School (continued)
3. Earth Systems 1. The history of the universe, solar system and Earth can be inferred
Science from evidence left from past events
2. As part of the solar system, Earth interacts with various
extraterrestrial forces and energies such as gravity, solar phenomena,
electromagnetic radiation, and impact events that influence the
planet’s geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere in a variety of ways
3. The theory of plate tectonics helps to explain geological, physical, and
geographical features of Earth
4. Climate is the result of energy transfer among interactions of the
atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere
5. There are costs, benefits, and consequences of exploration,
development, and consumption of renewable and nonrenewable
resources
6. The interaction of Earth's surface with water, air, gravity, and
biological activity causes physical and chemical changes
7. Natural hazards have local, national and global impacts such as
volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and thunderstorms
Eighth Grade
3. Earth Systems 1. Weather is a result of complex interactions of Earth's atmosphere, land
Science and water, that are driven by energy from the sun, and can be
predicted and described through complex models
2. Earth has a variety of climates defined by average temperature,
precipitation, humidity, air pressure, and wind that have changed over
time in a particular location
3. The solar system is comprised of various objects that orbit the Sun
and are classified based on their characteristics
4. The relative positions and motions of Earth, Moon, and Sun can be
used to explain observable effects such as seasons, eclipses, and Moon
phases
5. Major geologic events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mid-
ocean ridges, and mountain formation are associated with plate
boundaries and attributed to plate motions
6. Geologic time, history, and changing life forms are indicated by fossils
and successive sedimentation, folding, faulting, and uplifting of layers
of sedimentary rock
7. Complex interrelationships exist between Earth’s structure and natural
processes that over time are both constructive and destructive
8. Water on Earth is distributed and circulated through oceans, glaciers,
rivers, ground water, and the atmosphere
9. Earth’s natural resources provide the foundation for human society’s
physical needs. Many natural resources are nonrenewable on human
timescales, while others can be renewed or recycled

Seventh Grade
2. Life Science 1. Individual organisms with certain traits are more likely than others to
survive and have offspring in a specific environment
2. The human body is composed of atoms, molecules, cells, tissues,
organs, and organ systems that have specific functions and
interactions
3. Cells are the smallest unit of life that can function independently and
perform all the necessary functions of life
4. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are important processes by
which energy is acquired and utilized by organisms
5. Multiple lines of evidence show the evolution of organisms over
geologic time
6. Human activities can deliberately or inadvertently alter ecosystems
and their resiliency
7. Organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information (genes) to
offspring, which influences individuals’ traits in the next generation
8. Changes in environmental conditions can affect the survival of
individual organisms, populations, and entire species
9. Organisms interact with each other and their environment in various
ways that create a flow of energy and cycling of matter in an
ecosystem
Sixth Grade
1. Physical 1. Identify and calculate the direction and magnitude of forces that act on
Science an object, and explain the results in the object’s change of motion
2. There are different forms of energy, and those forms of energy can be
changed from one form to another – but total energy is conserved
3. Distinguish between physical and chemical changes, noting that mass
is conserved during any change
4. Recognize that waves such as electromagnetic, sound, seismic, and
water have common characteristics and unique properties
5. Mixtures of substances can be separated based on their properties
such as solubility, boiling points, magnetic properties, and densities
6. All matter is made of atoms, which are far too small to see directly
through a light microscope. Elements have unique atoms and thus,
unique properties. Atoms themselves are made of even smaller
particles
7. Atoms may stick together in well-defined molecules or be packed
together in large arrangements. Different arrangements of atoms into
groups compose all substances.
8. The physical characteristics and changes of solid, liquid, and gas states
can be explained using the particulate model
9. Distinguish among, explain, and apply the relationships among mass,
weight, volume, and density

Fifth Grade
1. Physical 1. Mixtures of matter can be separated regardless of how they were
Science created; all weight and mass of the mixture are the same as the sum
of weight and mass of its parts
2. Life Science 1. All organisms have structures and systems with separate functions
2. Human body systems have basic structures, functions, and needs
3. Earth Systems 1. Earth and sun provide a diversity of renewable and nonrenewable
Science resources
2. Earth’s surface changes constantly through a variety of processes and
forces
3. Weather conditions change because of the uneven heating of Earth’s
surface by the Sun’s energy. Weather changes are measured by
differences in temperature, air pressure, wind and water in the
atmosphere and type of precipitation
Fourth Grade
1. Physical 1. Energy comes in many forms such as light, heat, sound, magnetic,
Science chemical, and electrical
2. Life Science 1. All living things share similar characteristics, but they also have
differences that can be described and classified
2. Comparing fossils to each other or to living organisms reveals features
of prehistoric environments and provides information about organisms
today
3. There is interaction and interdependence between and among living
and nonliving components of systems
3. Earth Systems 1. Earth is part of the solar system, which includes the Sun, Moon, and
Science other bodies that orbit the Sun in predictable patterns that lead to
observable paths of objects in the sky as seen from Earth
Third Grade
1. Physical 1. Matter exists in different states such as solids, liquids, and gases and
Science can change from one state to another by heating and cooling
2. Life Science 1. The duration and timing of life cycle events such as reproduction and
longevity vary across organisms and species
3. Earth Systems 1. Earth’s materials can be broken down and/or combined into different
Science materials such as rocks, minerals, rock cycle, formation of soil, and
sand – some of which are usable resources for human activity
Second Grade
1. Physical 1. Changes in speed or direction of motion are caused by forces such as
Science pushes and pulls.
2. Life Science 1. Organisms depend on their habitat’s nonliving parts to satisfy their
needs
2. Each plant or animal has different structures or behaviors that serve
different functions
3. Earth Systems 1. Weather and the changing seasons impact the environment and
Science organisms such as humans, plants, and other animals

First Grade
1. Physical 1. Solids and liquids have unique properties that distinguish them
Science
2. Life Science 1. Offspring have characteristics that are similar to but not exactly like
their parents’ characteristics
2. An organism is a living thing that has physical characteristics to help it
survive
3. Earth Systems 1. Earth’s materials can be compared and classified based on their
Science properties
Kindergarten
1. Physical 1. Objects can move in a variety of ways that can be described by speed
Science and direction
2. Objects can be sorted by physical properties, which can be observed
and measured
2. Life Science 1. Organisms can be described and sorted by their physical
characteristics
3. Earth Systems 1. The sun provides heat and light to Earth
Science
Preschool
1. Physical 1. Objects have properties and characteristics
Science 2. There are cause-and-effect relationships in everyday experiences
2. Life Science 1. Living things have characteristics and basic needs
2. Living things develop in predictable patterns
3. Earth Systems 1. Earth’s materials have properties and characteristics that affect how
Science we use those materials
2. Events such as night, day, the movement of objects in the sky,
weather, and seasons have patterns

Academic Vocabulary
Standard 2: abiotic, action potential, active transport, adaptation, aerobic respiration, amino acid,
anaerobic respiration, anatomy, anecdotal evidence, asexual reproduction, ATP (adenosine triphosphate),
autoimmune disease, autotroph, bias, binary fission, biodiversity, bioengineering, biogeography, biology,
biomimicry, biomolecule, biosphere, body system, brain, carbohydrate, carcinogen, carrying capacity,
causation, cell, cell division, cell membrane, cellular respiration, characteristic, chloroplast, chromosome,
classification, circulatory system, common ancestor, communicable disease, community, comparative
anatomy, complex carbohydrate, conservation of energy, conservation of matter, constant, consumer,
controlled experiment, correlation, cotransport, crossing over, cycle, data, decomposer, decomposition,
dependent variable, development, dialysis, differentiate, digestive system, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid),
DNA replication, DNA transcription, DNA translation, dominant, ecosystem, el Niño, embryo, embryology,
encode, endosymbiosis, energy transformation, environment, enzyme, epidemiological, error, eukaryote,
eutrophication, evidence, evolution, experiment, explanation, exponential growth, falsifiable,
fermentation, food chain, food web, fossil, fruit, function, gene, gene expression, genetically modified
organism, genetics, genome, genotype, germination, habitat, heart, heredity, heritable, heterotroph,
hierarchical, homeostasis, hormone, hypothesis, independent assortment, independent variable,
inheritance, internal balance, interspecific, intestines, intracellular, intravenous, invertebrate,
investigation, keystone species, kidneys, law, life cycle, lipid, liver, lungs, macromolecule, macroscopic,
marine, mediate, meiosis, membrane, metabolic, methodology, microscopic, mitochondria, mitosis,
molecule, multicellular, muscular system, mutation, natural selection, negative feedback,
neurotransmitter, niche, non-native, nucleic acid, nutrient, ophthalmic, optimum, organism, organ, organ
system, osmosis, osmotic regulation, osmotically balanced, parasite, passive transport, permeable,
persistence, pH, phenotype, photosynthesis, phytoplankton, pollination, population, positive feedback,
primary producer, primary succession, prokaryote, protein, qualitative, quantitative, receptor, recessive,
recombinant DNA, reproduction, research-based evidence, RNA (ribonucleic acid), saturated fatty acid,
selective breeding, selectively permeable, sexual reproduction, secondary succession, skepticism, simple
carbohydrate, speciation, species, stem cell, structure, symbiotic, system, testable question, theory,
tissue, trophic level, turgor pressure, unicellular, unsaturated fatty acid, wetlands,
Word Definition
Abiotic not associated with or derived from living organisms; abiotic factors in an
environment include such items as sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, and
precipitation
Action potential a short-lasting event in which the electrical membrane potential of a cell
rapidly rises and falls, following a consistent trajectory
Active transport the movement of a substance against its concentration gradient (from low to
high concentration), which requires energy
Adaptation a change by which an organism becomes better suited to its environment
Aerobic respiration the metabolic process that uses oxygen to break down food and release energy
Amino Acid of a class of about twenty organic compounds which form the basic
constituents of proteins and contain both acid and amine groups
Anaerobic the metabolic processes by which organisms degrade organic compounds in the
respiration absence of O2 to yield energy
Anatomy the science of the shape and structure of organisms and their parts
Anecdotal evidence short account of a particular incident or event that is not scientific or is hearsay
and therefore considered unreliable
Asexual reproduction without the fusion of gametes
reproduction

ATP (adenosine An adenosine-derived nucleotide, C10H16N5O13P3, that contains high-energy
triphosphate) phosphate bonds and is used to transport energy to cells for biochemical
processes, including muscle contraction and enzymatic metabolism, through its
hydrolysis to ADP
Autoimmune an immune system response to antigens in a person’s own tissue
disease
Autotroph an organism that is able to make its own food
Bias statistical sampling or testing error caused by systematically favoring some
outcomes over others
Binary fission a method of asexual reproduction, involves the splitting of a parent cell into
two approximately equal parts
Biodiversity the variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability
within and between species and within and between ecosystems
Bioengineering the use of biological processes and organisms in service to humans such as to
produce drugs and foodstuffs or to recycle waste
Biogeochemical Relating to the relationship between the geochemistry of a region and the
animal and plant life in that region
Biogeography the relationship between organisms and the geography of the region where the
organisms occur
Biology the scientific study of living organisms
Biomimicry the examination of nature, its models, systems, processes, and elements to
emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve human problems sustainably
Biomolecule any organic molecule that is produced by a living organism: proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids
Biosphere the part of the earth and its atmosphere in which living organisms exist or that
is capable of supporting life
Body system a group of organs or structures within the body that work together to perform
one or more specific functions
Brain the portion of the vertebrate central nervous system that is enclosed within the
cranium, continuous with the spinal cord, and composed of gray matter and
white matter. It is the primary center for the regulation and control of bodily
activities, receiving and interpreting sensory impulses, and transmitting
information to the muscles and body organs. It is also the seat of
consciousness, thought, memory, and emotion
Carbohydrate any of a group of organic compounds that includes sugars, starches, celluloses,
and gums and serves as a major energy source in the diet of animals. These
compounds are produced by photosynthetic plants and contain only carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen, usually in the ratio 1:2:1
Carcinogen a cancer‐causing substance or agent
Carrying capacity the maximum population size that can be supported by the available resources
of a given area
Causation the act that produces an effect, where the effect is understood to be a
consequence of the act
Cell the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism
Cell division the process in reproduction and growth by which a cell divides to form
daughter cells
Cell membrane the semipermeable, lipid bi-layer membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a
cell
Cellular respiration the series of metabolic processes by which living cells produce energy through
the oxidation of organic substances

Characteristic a feature that helps to identify, tell apart, or describe recognizably; a
distinguishing trait
Chloroplast a structure in algal and green plant cells which contains chlorophyll and in
which photosynthesis takes place
Chromosome a thread‐like structure found in the nuclei of most living cells, carrying genetic
information in the form of genes
Classification the systematic grouping of organisms into categories on the basis of
evolutionary or structural relationships between them; taxonomy
Circulatory system the body system that circulates blood through the body, consisting of the heart
and blood vessels
Common ancestor an organism (usually extinct) that is an ancestor of two different organisms
(extinct or modern) which are not ancestors of each other
Communicable a disease that can be communicated from one person to another
disease
Community a group of interdependent plants or animals growing or living together or
occupying a
specified habitat
Comparative the study of anatomical features of animals of different species
anatomy
Complex molecules formed of repeating units of either mono saccharides (single sugars)
carbohydrate or disaccharides (double sugars) joined together by glycosidic bonds
Conservation of a principle stating that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant
energy regardless of changes within the system
Conservation of a principle in classical physics stating that the total mass of an isolated system
matter is unchanged by interaction of its parts
Constant an experimental or theoretical condition, factor, or quantity that does not vary
or that is regarded as invariant in specified circumstances
Consumer an organism that cannot make its own food and must eat in order to survive
Controlled an experiment that isolates the effect of one variable on a system by holding
experiment constant all variables but the one under observation
Correlation a measurable and predictable relationship
Cotransport the simultaneous or sequential passive transfer of molecules or ions across
biological membranes in a fixed ratio
Crossing over a process occurring during meiosis wherein two chromosomes pair up and
exchange segments of their genetic material
Cycle a series of events that are regularly repeated in the same order
Data factual information (as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for
reasoning, discussion, or calculation
Decomposer an organism that breaks down organic materials in the environment
Decomposition breakdown or decay of organic materials
Dehydration a type of condensation reaction in which monomers join together into polymers
synthesis while losing water molecules
Dependent variable the observed or measured variable in an experiment or study whose changes
are determined by the presence of one or more independent variables
Development the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological
unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple
to a more complex level

Dialysis the separation of smaller molecules from larger molecules or of dissolved
substances from colloidal particles in a solution by selective diffusion through a
semipermeable membrane
Differentiate to change during development from a generalized form to more specialized
forms
Digestive system body system consisting of the alimentary canal and digestive glands and
responsible for the ingestion, digestion, and absorption of food
DNA a substance which is present in the cell nuclei of nearly all living organisms and
(Deoxyribonucleic is the carrier of genetic information
Acid)
DNA replication the process of copying DNA that starts with one double-stranded DNA molecule
and produces two identical copies of the molecule
DNA transcription the process of creating an equivalent RNA copy of a sequence of DNA
DNA translation the first stage of protein biosynthesis, during which messenger RNA (mRNA)
produced in transcription is decoded to produce a specific amino acid chain
Dominant an allele that produces the same phenotypic effect whether inherited with a
homozygous or heterozygous allele
Ecosystem a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
El Niño an irregularly occurring and complex series of climatic changes affecting the
equatorial Pacific region and beyond every few years, characterized by the
appearance of unusually warm, nutrient-poor water off northern Peru and
Ecuador, typically in late December
Electron transport in respiration, a series of carriers through which electrons of initial high energy
chain are converted to a lower energy state with the capture of the released energy
as ATP; occurs in the mitochondria in eukaryotic cells
Embryo an organism in its early stages of development, especially before it has reached
a distinctively recognizable form
Embryology the branch of biology and medicine concerned with the study of embryos and
their development
Encode action of a gene that provides the instructions for making a protein
Endosymbiosis relationship in which an organism lives within the body or cells of another
organism
Energy to convert energy from one form to another
transformation
Environment the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (as climate, soil, and living
things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately
determine its form
Enzyme a substance produced by a living organism that acts as a catalyst to bring
about a specific biochemical reaction
Epidemiological Relating to epidemiology -- the branch of science that deals with the study of
the causes, distribution, and control of disease in populations
Error difference between a computed or measured value and a true or theoretically
correct value
Eukaryote an organism, either unicellular or multicellular, in which the nucleus of the cell
is bound by a membrane
Eutrophication excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due
to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life
Evidence information acquired through objective experience
Evolution a gradual process in which something changes into a different form

Experiment a test under controlled conditions that is made to examine the validity of a
hypothesis or determine the efficacy of something previously untried
Explanation a statement based on scientific evidence and logical argument about causes
and effects or relationships between variables
Exponential growth growth of an organism, a part of an organism, or a population of organisms
which, when graphed, produces an exponential or logarithmic curve. Such a
rate occurs, for example: during the exponential growth phase, when a
population of bacterial (or other) cells divide at a constant rate so that the total
number of cells doubles with each division
Falsifiable the possibility that an assertion could be shown untrue
Fermentation an anaerobic (without oxygen) cellular process in which organic foods are
converted into simpler compounds, and chemical energy (ATP) is produced
Food chain a succession of organisms in an ecological community that constitutes a
continuation of food energy from one organism to another as each usually
consumes a lower member and in turn is preyed upon by a higher member
Food pyramid a graphic representation of the structure of a food chain, depicted as a pyramid
having a broad base formed by producers and tapering to a point formed by
end consumers. Between successive levels, total biomass decreases as energy
is lost from the system.
Food web a complex of interrelated food chains in an ecological community
Fossil a remnant or trace of an organism of a past geologic age such as a skeleton or
leaf
Fruit the ripened ovary or ovaries of a seed‐bearing plant
Function the role or purpose of a structure
Gene hereditary unit consisting of a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location
on a chromosome and determines a particular characteristic in an organism
Gene expression The conversion of the information from the gene into mRNA via transcription
and then to protein via translation resulting in the phenotypic manifestation of
the gene. Gene expression of the nonprotein coding genes such as the rRNA
and tRNA genes, involves only transcription and not translation.
Genetically modified an organism whose genome has been altered by the technique of genetic
organism modification
Genetics the branch of biology that deals with heredity, especially the mechanisms of
hereditary transmission and the variation of inherited characteristics among
similar or related organisms
Genome the complete set of genes in an organism
Genotype a set of alleles that determines the expression of a particular characteristic or
trait ; if a gene for a particular character or trait exists in two allelic forms(e.g.
A and a), there could be three possible genotypes for a particular character:
AA, Aa, and aa.
Germination the beginning of development of a seed after a period of dormancy or rest
Habitat the area or environment where an organism or ecological community normally
lives or occurs
Hardy-Weinberg equation describing the frequency of alleles is a population in which the
Equation frequency of alleles is at equilibrium: In the simplest case of a single locus with
two alleles: the dominant allele is denoted A and the recessive a and their
frequencies are denoted by p and q; freq(A) = p; freq(a) = q; p + q = 1. If the
population is in equilibrium, then we will have freq(AA) = p2 for the AA
homozygotes in the population, freq(aa) = q2 for the aa homozygotes, and
freq(Aa) = 2pq for the heterozygotes.

Heart the chambered muscular organ in vertebrates that pumps blood received from
the veins into the arteries, thereby maintaining the flow of blood through the
entire circulatory system
Heredity genetic transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring
Heritable able to be inherited
Heterotroph an organism that consumes other organisms or the products of other
organisms as food
Hierarchical classified or arranged according to various criteria into successive ranks or
grades
Homeostasis the ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium
by adjusting its physiological processes
Hormone a regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue
fluids such as blood or sap to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action
Hydrolysis a chemical process in which a certain molecule is split into two parts by the
addition of a molecule of water. One fragment of the parent molecule gains a
hydrogen ion (H+) from the additional water molecule. The other group collects
the remaining hydroxyl group (OH−).
Hypothesis a tentative explanation for an observation
Independent the random arrangement and separation of chromosomes during meiosis,
assortment giving all possible combinations in equal frequency. This process explains the
random distribution in the gametes of genes or homologous chromosomes.
Independent a manipulated variable in an experiment or study whose presence or degree
variable determines the change in the dependent variable
Inheritance genetic transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring
Internal balance balance within an organism of its internal environment
Interspecific referring to interactions between individuals or populations of two or more
different species
Intestines the portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus
and, in humans and other mammals, consisting of two segments, the small
intestine and the large intestine
Intracellular occurring or existing within the cell
Intravenous the administration of substances, such as medication, directly into the veins
Invertebrate an animal such as an insect or mollusk
Investigation a detailed inquiry or systematic examination
Keystone species a species that has a disproportionate effect on its environment relative to its
biomass. Such species affect many other organisms in an ecosystem and help
to determine the types and numbers of various other species in a community
Kidneys pair of organs in the dorsal region of the vertebrate abdominal cavity
functioning to maintain proper water and electrolyte balance, regulate
acid‐base concentration, and filter the blood of metabolic wastes, which are
then excreted as urine
La Niña a cooling of the water in the equatorial Pacific, which occurs at irregular
intervals and is associated with widespread changes in weather patterns
complementary to those of El Niño, but less extensive and damaging in their
effects
Law a phenomenon of nature that has been shown to invariably occur whenever
certain conditions exist or are met
Life cycle the course of developmental changes in an organism from fertilized zygote to
maturity when another zygote can be produced
Lipid any of a class of organic compounds that are fatty acids or their derivatives
and are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents

Liver a large, reddish‐brown, glandular vertebrate organ located in the upper right
portion of the abdominal cavity that secretes bile and is active in the formation
of certain blood
Logistic growth Growth rates regulated by internal and external factors that establish an
equ librium with environmental resources. When graphed these growth rates
appear as an S curve.
Lungs the two spongy, saclike respiratory organs in most vertebrates, occupying the
chest cavity together with the heart and functioning to remove carbon dioxide
from the blood and provide it with oxygen
Macromolecule a very large molecule, such as a polymer or protein, consisting of many smaller
structural units linked together
Macroscopic large enough to be perceived or examined by the unaided eye
Marine of or pertaining to the oceans
Mediate to cause or effect through an indirect medium or agent
Meiosis the process of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces the
number of chromosomes in reproductive cells from diploid to haploid, leading
to the production of
Membrane a thin layer of tissue covering a surface or lining a cavity, space or organ
Membrane potential the voltage difference (or electrical potential difference) between the interior
and exterior of a cell
Metabolic of, relating to, or resulting from metabolism -- the chemical processes
occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the
maintenance of life
Methodology means, technique, or procedure; method
Microscopic too small to be seen by the unaided eye but large enough to be studied under
a microscope
Mitochondria spherical or elongated organelles (bound by a double membrane) in the
cytoplasm of nearly all eukaryotic cells, containing genetic material and many
enzymes important for cell metabolism, including those responsible for the
conversion of food to usable energy
Mitosis a type of cell division in which daughter cells have the same number and kind
of chromosomes as the parent nucleus
Molecule the simplest unit of a chemical compound that can exist, consisting of two or
more atoms held together by chemical bonds
Multicellular describes organisms consisting of more than one cell
Muscular system the body system that is composed of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle
tissue and functions in movement of the body or of materials through the body,
maintenance of posture, and heat production
Mutation a change in genetic structure which results in a variant form and may be
transmitted to subsequent generations
Natural selection the process by which organisms adapted to their environment tend to survive
and transmit their genetic characteristics in increasing numbers to succeeding
generations while those less adapted tend to have fewer offspring
Negative feedback feedback that reduces the output of a system, such as the action of heat on a
thermostat to limit the output of a furnace or the action of the human body’s
homeostatic mechanisms to increase perspiration and blood flow to the surface
of the skin when the temperature begins to rise

Neurotransmitter a chemical substance, such as acetylcholine or dopamine, that transmits nerve
impulses across a synapse
Nervous system the system of cells, tissues, and organs that regulates the body's responses to
internal and external stimuli. In vertebrates it consists of the brain, spinal cord
and nerves
Niche the function or position of an organism or population within an ecological
community
Non-native organisms that originated in a different region than the ecosystem they
currently inhabit
Nucleic acid any of a group of complex compounds found in all living cells and viruses,
composed of purines, pyrimidines, carbohydrates, and phosphoric acid. Nucleic
acids in the form of DNA and RNA control cellular function and heredity
Nutrient any substance that can be metabolized by an organism to give energy and
build tissue
Ophthalmic of or relating to the eye
Organ structure of the body that performs a particular function
Organ system a system of organs that work together to perform a specific function or set of
related functions (ex: circulatory system)
Organism a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function
independently
Osmosis the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area
of high water potential (low solute concentration) to an area of low water
potential (high solute concentration)
Osmotic regulation the process of regulating water potential in order to keep fluid and electrolyte
balance within a cell or organism relative to the surrounding
Osmotically a solution whose ion concentration is the same as another solution so osmosis
balanced will not take place between the two solutions
Parasite an organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different organism
while contributing nothing to the survival of its host
Passive transport a kind of transport by which ions or molecules move along a concentration
gradient, which means movement from an area of higher concentration to an
area of lower concentration, which does require chemical energy
Permeable capable of being permeated or passed through
Persistence the ability of living systems to resist external fluctuations
pH p(otential of) H(ydrogen); a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution,
numerically equal to 7 for neutral solutions, increasing with increasing alkalinity
and decreasing with
Phenotype the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, as
determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences
Photosynthesis biochemical process of transforming light energy into stored chemical energy in
the form of glucose; chemical formula 6CO2 + 6H20 + light energy → 6O2 +
C6H12O6
Phytoplankton the collection of small or microscopic photosynthetic organisms, including algae
and protozoans, that float or drift in great numbers in fresh or salt water,
especially at or near the surface, and serve as primary producers in aquatic
ecosystems
Pollination transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a plant
Population all the organisms that constitute a specific group or occur in a specified habitat
Positive feedback feedback that results in amplification or growth of the output signal

Potassium pump a mechanism that involves energy-dependent pumping of potassium or the
active transport of the potassium ion (K+) across a biologic membrane using
the energy of K+-activated adenosine triphosphatase
Primary producer an organism that produces organic compounds from atmospheric or aquatic
carbon dioxide, principally through the process of photosynthesis, with
chemosynthesis being much less important
Primary succession one of two types of biological and ecological succession of plant life, occurring
in an environment in which new substrate devoid of vegetation and usually
lacking soil, such as a lava flow or area left from retreated glacier, is deposited
Prokaryote microscopic single-celled organism that has neither a distinct nucleus with a
membrane nor other specialized organelles
Protein any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds that consist of large
molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids and are an
essential part of all living organisms
Qualitative involving distinctions, descriptions, or comparisons based on qualities that can
be observed without measurement (e.g. color, shape, appearance)
Quantitative involving distinctions, descriptions, or comparisons that can be quantified or
measured
Receptor Physiology: a specialized cell or group of nerve endings that responds to
sensory stimuli. Biochemistry: a molecular structure or site on the surface or
interior of a cell that binds with substances such as hormones, antigens, drugs,
or neurotransmitters.
Recessive an allele that does not produce a characteristic effect when present with a
dominant allele; a trait that is expressed only when the determining allele is
present in the homozygous condition
Recombinant DNA genetically engineered DNA prepared by transplanting or splicing genes from
one species into the cells of a host organism of a different species. Such DNA
becomes part of the host's genetic makeup and is replicated
Reproduction the sexual or asexual process by which organisms generate new individuals of
the same kind; procreation
Research-based data derived from sound scientific research methods. It is noted as research-
evidence based to differentiate from anecdotal or circumstantial evidence
RNA (ribonucleic (Ribonucleic Acid) – a substance in living cells which carries instructions from
acid) DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins and in some viruses carries
genetic information
Saturated fatty acid a fatty acid whose carbon chain cannot absorb any more hydrogen atoms;
found chiefly in animal fats
Secondary one of two types of biological and ecological succession of plant life, occurring
succession on substrate that previously supported vegetation before an ecological
disturbance such as forest fire, tsunami, flood, destroyed the plant life
Selective breeding the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits
Selectively describes a membrane that will allow certain molecules or ions to pass through
permeable it by diffusion and occasionally specialized "facilitated diffusion"
Sexual reproduction reproduction by the union or fusion of two differing gametes
Skepticism a doctrine that suspends judgment until there is sufficient scientific evidence to
believe a claim
Simple monosaccharides (single sugars) and disaccharides (double sugars)
carbohydrate
Speciation the origination of new species

Species a fundamental category of taxonomic classification, ranking below a genus or
subgenus and consisting of related organisms capable of interbreeding
Stem cell an undifferentiated cell of a multicellular organism that is capable of giving rise
to indefinitely more cells of the same type, and from which certain other kinds
of cell arise by differentiation
Structure any identifiable part of an organism
Symbiotic a close prolonged association between two organisms in which both benefit
System a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a
complex whole
Testable question a question that can tested in a scientific investigation
Theory a set of statements or principles devised to explain a large set of data and has
been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted
Tissue aggregation of morphologically similar cells and associated intercellular matter
acting together to perform one or more specific functions in the body
Trophic level each of several hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, consisting of organisms
sharing the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional
relationship to the primary sources of energy
Turgor pressure turgor pressure or turgidity is the main pressure of the cell contents against
the cell wall in plant cells and bacteria cells, determined by the water content
of the vacuole, resulting from osmotic pressure
Unicellular consisting of a single cell
Unsaturated fatty a fatty acid whose carbon chain can absorb additional hydrogen atoms
acid
Wetlands those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a
frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal
circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life
in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs
and similar areas

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Science Curriculum Essentials in BVSD

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Course Description Topics at a Glance

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Prepared Graduate Competencies in the Life Science standard:

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