BIG IDEASIN

LIFE SCIENCE

BIG IDEASIN

BIOLOGY

The process of evolution drives the

diversity and unity of life.

Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain

dynamic homeostasis.

Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and

respond to information essential to

life processes.

Biological systems interact, and these systems and

their interactions possess complex properties.

Organisms are diverse, yet share similar characteristics.

Groups of organisms change over time.

The structure and function of organisms are complementary.

Organisms operate on the same physical principles as

the rest of the natural world.

Although living things vary greatly, they have many basic

similarities.

All organisms are made up of tiny building blocks called

cells.

Every living thing is mainly made up of water .

All organisms contain DNA.

All living things require energy.

All living things reproduce to produce more of their own

kind.

The characteristics of any group of organisms change.

Change in groups of organisms is different from growth and development since it occurs

over many generations.

The human body is a complex organization of many systems— digestion,

circulation, respiration, and others—all working together for the overall health of the

individual.

The cell, the basic unit of all life, contains smaller

organelles that assist in life processes that are similar in

function to the larger organism.

All organisms contain a "blueprint" for their growth,

development and maintenance, and physical

appearance in the DNA that is contained in genes on their

chromosomes.

Ecosystems are composed of biotic (plants, animals, fungi, microbes) and abiotic (soils,

minerals, water, air) components and are complex

interconnected systems.

Living things change over time as a result of natural

mutations that occur in their genomes and the process of

natural selection, and evidence for this exists within

the fossil record.

Cells are the most basic unit of life in living organisms.

All cells come from other cells.

Homeostasis is an organism's ability to remain stable and

stay alive by making changes to maintain equilibrium.

All life grows and changes over long periods of time through the processes of

evolution and natural selection.

The interaction of living and nonliving elements of nature

constitutes an ecosystem, and each one of the interactions is important to maintaining the

balance of the ecosystem.

DNA is a chemical code that makes up the hereditary

material that is used to pass traits on from parent to

offspring.

The scientific theory of cells, also called cell theory, is a

fundamental organizing principle of life on Earth.

Life can be organized in a functional and structural

hierarchy.

Life is maintained by various physiological functions

essential for growth, reproduction, and

homeostasis.

The scientific theory of evolution is the organizing

principle of life science.

The scientific theory of evolution is supported by

multiple forms of evidence.

Natural selection is a primary mechanism leading to change

over time in organisms.

Reproduction is characteristic of living things and is essential

for the survival of species.

Genetic information is passed from generation to generation

by DNA; DNA controls the traits of an organism.

Changes in the DNA of an organism can cause changes in

traits, and manipulation of DNA in organisms has led to

genetically modified organisms.

Plants and animals, including humans, interact with and

depend upon each other and their environment to satisfy

their basic needs.

Both human activities and natural events can have major impacts on the environment.

Energy flows from the sun through producers to

consumers.

Living organisms acquire the energy they need for life

processes through various metabolic pathways

(photosynthesis and cellular respiration).

Matter and energy are recycled through cycles such

as the carbon cycle.