Students will investigate and understand that:

• Cells have structure and function. Key ideas include: 
  • The structures in unicellular and multicellular organisms work interdependently to carry out life processes.
  • Cell structures and processes are involved in cell growth and division.
• Bacteria and viruses have an effect on living systems. Key ideas include:
  • Viruses depend on a host for metabolic processes.
  • The modes of reproduction/replication can be compared.
  • The structures and functions can be compared.

Students will investigate and understand that:

• Chemical and biochemical processes are essential for life. Key ideas include:
  • Macromolecules have roles in maintaining life processes.
• Cells have structure and function. Key ideas include:
  • The cell theory is supported by evidence.
  • Structures in unicellular and multicellular organisms work interdependently to carry out life processes.
  • The structure and function of the cell membrane support cell transport.
  • Specialization leads to the development of different types of cells.

Students will investigate and understand that chemical and biochemical processes are essential for life.

Key ideas include:

• Water chemistry has an influence on life processes.
• Macromolecules have roles in maintaining life processes.
• Enzymes have a role in biochemical processes.
• The processes of photosynthesis and respiration include the capture, storage, transformation, and flow of energy.

Students will investigate and understand that:

• Chemical and biochemical processes are essential for life. Key ideas include:
  • Protein synthesis is the process of forming proteins which influences inheritance and evolution.
• Cells have structure and function. Key ideas include:
  • Cell structures and processes are involved in cell growth and division.
  • Specialization leads to the development of different types of cells. 
• There are common mechanisms for inheritance. Key ideas include:
  • DNA has structure and is the foundation for protein synthesis.
  • The structural model of DNA has developed over time.
  • Synthetic biology has biological and ethical implications.

Students will investigate and understand that there are common mechanisms for inheritance.

Key ideas include:

• The variety of traits in an organism are the result of the expression of various combinations of alleles.
• Meiosis has a role in genetic variation between generations.
• Synthetic biology has biological and ethical implications.

Students will investigate and understand that

• Bacteria and viruses have an effect on living systems. Key ideas include:
  • Bacteria and viruses have a role in other organisms and the environment.
  • The germ theory of infectious disease is supported by evidence
• Modern classification systems can be used as organizational tools forI scientists in the study of organisms. Key ideas include:
  • Organisms have structural and biochemical similarities and differences.
  • Fossil record interpretation can be used to classify organisms.
  • Developmental stages in different organisms can be used to classify organisms.
  • Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya are domains based on characteristics of organisms.
  • The functions and processes of protists, fungi, plants, and animals allow for comparisons and differentiation within the Eukarya kingdoms.
  • Systems of classification are adaptable to new scientific discoveries.
• Populations change through time. Key ideas include:
  • Evidence is found in fossil records and through DNA analysis.
  • Genetic variation, reproductive strategies, and environmental pressures affect the survival of populations.
  • Natural selection is a mechanism that leads to adaptations and may lead to the emergence of new species.
  • Biological evolution has scientific evidence and explanations.

Students will investigate and understand that there are dynamic equilibria within populations, communities, and ecosystems.

Key ideas include:

• Interactions within and among populations include carrying capacities, limiting factors, and growth curves.
• Nutrients cycle with energy flow through ecosystems.
• Ecosystems have succession patterns.
• Natural events and human activities influence local and global ecosystems and may affect the flora and fauna of Virginia.