Digital Frog International educational software &
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science

(a) Introduction.

1. In Biology, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students in Biology study a variety of topics that include: structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues, and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; and ecosystems and the environment.

Food Web screens, Endangered Wetlands

Biodiversity screens; Endangered Rainforest

Homeostasis; Human Impact

Anatomy screens

Cell Structure & Function

5. Science, systems, and models. A system is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. All systems have basic properties that can be described in space, time, energy, and matter. Change and constancy occur in systems as patterns and can be observed, measured, and modeled. These patterns help to make predictions that can be scientifically tested. Students should analyze a system in terms of its components and how these components relate to each other, to the whole, and to the external environment.

Wetlands Mechanisms: Nutrient Cycles; Food Web screens

Rainforest Mechanisms; Endangered: Climate; Web Game

Desert Study: Homeostasis; Mechanisms: Climate screens,

(b) Knowledge and skills.

4. (A) compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells;

Cell Structure & Function

4. (B) investigate and explain cellular processes, including homeostasis, energy conversions, transport of molecules, and synthesis of new molecules; and

Refer to Cell Structure & Function

5. (A) describe the stages of the cell cycle, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication and mitosis, and the importance of the cell cycle to the growth of organisms;

Urogenital System: Cell Division

Refer to Cell Structure & Function

5. (B) examine specialized cells, including roots, stems, and leaves of plants; and animal cells such as blood, muscle, and epithelium;

Refer to Cell Structure & Function

10. (A) describe the interactions that occur among systems that perform the functions of regulation, nutrient absorption, reproduction, and defense from injury or illness in animals;

Anatomy section: Interacting Systems

10. (C) analyze the levels of organization in biological systems and relate the levels to each other and to the whole system.

Anatomy section: Interacting Systems

12. (A) interpret relationships, including predation, parasitism, commensalism, mutualism, and competition among organisms;

Dependency Web screens

12. (B) compare variations and adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems;

Adaptations; refer to Organism screens

Study section; refer to Organism screens

Study section; Adaptations, refer to Organism screens

12. (C) analyze the flow of matter and energy through trophic levels using various models, including food chains, food webs, and ecological pyramids;

Food Web screens

Refer to Dependency Web

Refer to Build-A- Desert

12. (D) recognize that long-term survival of species is dependent on changing resource bases that are limited;

Refer to Food Web

Refer to Dependency Web

Refer to Build-A- Desert

12. (E) describe the flow of matter through the carbon and nitrogen cycles and explain the consequences of disrupting these cycles; and

Mechanisms: Nutrient Cycles

12. (F) describe how environmental change can impact ecosystem stability.

Food Web; Endangered Wetlands section

Dependency Web; Endangered Rainforests section

Build-A- Desert; Human Impact section