Biology

Driving Questions

1. How do we know which organisms are related to each other? 
2. Can organisms in one family group be related to organisms in a separate family group? What evidence would you need to support these conclusions?
3. How do organisms obtain energy and the essential molecular components for life?
4. How do humans impact ecosystems, such as savannah food webs?

1. What factors impact populations? How do keystone species influence populations? 
2. Are seeds alive? What are the characteristics of living organisms? 
3. What do plants need to survive? How do plants obtain energy? 
4. How do organisms obtain energy and convert it to usable forms?

How do ecosystems maintain homeostasis?

1. What limits populations, including carrying capacity?
2. What biotic/abiotic factors can affect ecosystems?
3. What are human impacts on ecosystems?

How do organisms maintain homeostasis?

1. What impact does a decrease in pH have on organisms?
2. How do nutrients cycle in the ecosystem?
3. What do cells need to complete cellular respiration?
4. How are homeostatic processes in humans similar to those in other species?

1. How do traits vary among individuals?
2. How can children from the same parents be so different?
3. How is albinism passed down from parents?
4. What are the shapes of proteins?What causes differences in skin color?
5. What is the role of the environment?
6. How is melanin adaptive in other species?

1. How are cancer cells different from “normal” cells? How do cells become a tumor and cancerous?
2. How does a cell know when to divide and not to divide? What could lead to division proceeding incorrectly?
3. Why do cells need to die?
4. How are various versions of cell division involved in the human life cycle?
5. How are mitosis and meiosis different?
6. Are all viruses the same?