TX Science Standards (Biology)

Analyze and evaluate how evidence of common ancestry among groups is provided by the fossil record, biogeography, and homologies, including anatomical, molecular, and developmental.

Examine scientific explanations for varying rates of change such as gradualism, abrupt appearance, and stasis in the fossil record.

Analyze and evaluate how natural selection produces change in populations and not in individuals.

Analyze and evaluate how the elements of natural selection, including inherited variation, the potential of a population to produce more offspring than can survive, and a finite supply of environmental resources, result in differential reproductive success.

Analyze and evaluate how natural selection may lead to speciation.

Analyze evolutionary mechanisms other than natural selection, including genetic drift, gene flow, mutation, and genetic recombination, and their effect on the gene pool of a population.

Relate the functions of different types of biomolecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, to the structure and function of a cell.

Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including their complexity, and compare and contrast scientific explanations for cellular complexity.

Investigate homeostasis through the cellular transport of molecules.

Compare the structures of viruses to cells and explain how viruses spread and cause disease.

Explain the importance of the cell cycle to the growth of organisms, including an overview of the stages of the cell cycle and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication models.

Explain the process of cell specialization through cell differentiation, including the role of environmental factors.

Relate disruptions of the cell cycle to how they lead to the development of diseases such as cancer.

Explain how matter is conserved and energy is transferred during photosynthesis and cellular respiration using models, including the chemical equations for these processes.

Investigate and explain the role of enzymes in facilitating cellular processes.

Analyze the interactions that occur among systems that perform the functions of regulation, nutrient absorption, reproduction, and defense from injury or illness in animals.

Explain how the interactions that occur among systems that perform functions of transport, reproduction, and response in plants are facilitated by their structures.

Investigate and evaluate how ecological relationships, including predation, parasitism, commensalism, mutualism, and competition, influence ecosystem stability.

Analyze how ecosystem stability is affected by disruptions to the cycling of matter and flow of energy through trophic levels using models.

Explain the significance of the carbon and nitrogen cycles to ecosystem stability and analyze the consequences of disrupting these cycles.

Explain how environmental change, including change due to human activity, affects biodiversity and analyze how changes in biodiversity impact ecosystem stability.

Identify components of DNA, explain how the nucleotide sequence specifies some traits of an organism, and examine scientific explanations for the origin of DNA.

Describe the significance of gene expression and explain the process of protein synthesis using models of DNA and ribonucleic acid (RNA).

Identify and illustrate changes in DNA and evaluate the significance of these changes.

Discuss the importance of molecular technologies such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and genetic engineering that are applicable in current research and engineering practices.

Analyze the significance of chromosome reduction, independent assortment, and crossing-over during meiosis in increasing diversity in populations of organisms that reproduce sexually.

Predict possible outcomes of various genetic combinations using monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, including non-Mendelian traits of incomplete dominance, codominance, sex-linked traits, and multiple alleles.

Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.

Apply scientific practices to plan and conduct descriptive, comparative, and experimental investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to problems.

Use appropriate safety equipment and practices during laboratory, classroom, and field investigations as outlined in Texas Education Agency-approved safety standards.

Use appropriate tools such as microscopes, slides, Petri dishes, laboratory glassware, metric rulers, digital balances, pipets, filter paper, micropipettes, gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) apparatuses, microcentrifuges, water baths, incubators, thermometers, hot plates, data collection probes, test tube holders, lab notebooks or journals, hand lenses, and models, diagrams, or samples of biological specimens or structures.

Collect quantitative data using the International System of Units (SI) and qualitative data as evidence.

Organize quantitative and qualitative data using scatter plots, line graphs, bar graphs, charts, data tables, digital tools, diagrams, scientific drawings, and student-prepared models.

Develop and use models to represent phenomena, systems, processes, or solutions to engineering problems.

Distinguish among scientific hypotheses, theories, and laws.

Identify advantages and limitations of models such as their size, scale, properties, and materials.

Analyze data by identifying significant statistical features, patterns, sources of error, and limitations.

Use mathematical calculations to assess quantitative relationships in data.

Evaluate experimental and engineering designs.

Develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models and consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories.

Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.

Engage respectfully in scientific argumentation using applied scientific explanations and empirical evidence.

Analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations and solutions by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental and observational testing, so as to encourage critical thinking by the student.

Relate the impact of past and current research on scientific thought and society, including research methodology, cost-benefit analysis, and contributions of diverse scientists as related to the content.

Research and explore resources such as museums, libraries, professional organizations, private companies, online platforms, and mentors employed in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field in order to investigate STEM careers.