Essential Knowledge
1.A.1.d Environments can be more or less stable or fluctuating, and this affects evolutionary rate and
direction; different genetic variations can be selected in each generation.
1.C.1.b.IE Species extinction rates are rapid at times of ecological stress. IE: Five major extinctions;
Human impact on ecosystems and species extinction rates.
2.A.1.f.IE Changes in free energy availability can result in disruptions to an ecosystem. IE: Change in the
producer level can affect the number and size of other tropic levels; Change in energy resources
levels such as sunlight can affect the number and size of the trophic levels.
2.A.2.a Autotrophs capture free energy from physical sources in the environment.
2.A.2.a.1 Photosynthetic organisms capture free energy present in sunlight.
2.A.2.a.2 Chemosynthetic organisms capture free energy from small inorganic molecules present in
their environment, and this process can occur in the absence of oxygen.
2.A.2.b Heterotrophs capture free energy present in carbon compounds produced by other organisms.
2.A.3.a.1 Carbon moves from the environment to organisms where it is used to build carbohydrates,
proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids. Carbon is used in storage compounds and cell formation in all organisms.
2.A.3.a.2 Nitrogen moves from the environment to organisms where it is used in building proteins and
nucleic acids. Phosphorus moves from the environment to organisms where it is used in nucleic acids
and certain lipids.
2.D.1 All biological systems from cells and organisms to populations, communities, and ecosystems are
affected by complex biotic and abiotic interactions involving exchange of matter and free energy.
2.D.1.b.IE Organism activities are affected by interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. IE: Symbiosis
(mutualism, commensalism, parasitism); Predator-prey relation-
ships; Water and nutrient availability, temperature, salinity, pH
2,D.1.c. The stability of populations, communities and ecosystems is affected by interactions with biotic
and abiotic factors. IE: Water and nutrient availability; availability of nesting materials and sites; food
chains and food webs; species diversity; population density; algal blooms.
2.C.2: Organisms respond to changes in their external environments.
2.C.2.a. Organisms respond to changes in their environment through behavioral and physiological
mehanisms.
2.C.2.a.IE Hibernation and migration in animals; Taxis and kinesis in animals; Noctural and diurnal activity:
circadian rhythms
2.E.2:Timing and coordination of physiological events are regulated by multiple mechanisms.
2.E.2.b.In animals, internal and external signals regulate a variety of physiological responses that
synchronize with environmental cycles and cues.
2.E.2.b.IE Circadian rhythms, or the physiological cycle of about 24 hours that is present in all
eukaryotes and persists even in the absence of external cues; Dirunal/nocturnal and sleep/wake
cycles; Jet lag in humans; Seasonal responses, such as hibernation, estivation, and migration; Visual
displays in the reproductive cycle.
2.E.3: Timing and coordination of behavior are regulated by various mechanisms and are important in
natural selection.
2.E.3.a. Individuals can act on information and communicate it to others.
2.E.3.a.1 Innate behaviors are behaviors that are inherited.
2.E.3.a.2 Learning occurs through interactions with the environment and other organisms
2.E.3.b. Responses to information and communication of information are vital to natural selection.
2.E.3.b.3.IE Behaviors in animals are triggered by environmental cues and are vital to reproduction,
natural selection and survival.
2.E.3.b.IE Hibernation, Estivation, Migration, Courtship
2.A.1.e Changes in free energy availability can result in changes in population size.
2.D.1.b.IE Organism activities are affected by interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. IE: symbiosis
(mutualism, commensalism, parasitism); predator-prey relationships; water and nutrient availability,
temperature, salinity, pH
2.E.3.b.4.IE Cooperative behavior within or between populations contributes to the survival of the
populations. IE: niche and resource partitioning
3.E.1.Individuals can act on information and communicate it to others.
3.E.1.a Organisms exchange information with each other in response to internal changes and external
cues, which can change behavior.
3.E.1.a. IE Fight or flight response, predator warnings; protection of young; avoidance responses
3.E.1.b Communication occurs through various mechanisms.
3.E.1.b.1 Living systems have a variety of signal behaviors or cues that produce changes in the behavior
of other organisms and can result in differential reproductive success.
3.E.1.b.1.IE Herbivory responses, Territorial marking in mammals.
3.E.1.b.2 Animals use visual, audible, tactile, electrical and chemical signals to indicate dominance find food,
establish territory and ensure reproductive success.
3.E.1.b.2. IE: Bee dances, Bird songs, Territorial markings in mammals; pack behavior in animals, herd,
flock, and schooling behavior in animals, predator warnings, colony and swarming behavior in insects;
coloration
3.E.1.c Responses to information and communication of information are vital to natural selection and
evolution.
3.E.1.c.1 Natural selection favors innate and learned behaviors that increase survival and reproductive
fitness.
3.E.1.c.1.IE Parent and offspring interactions; Migration patterns, Courthship and mating behaviors;
Foraging in bees and other animals, avoidance to electric fences, poisons, or traps.
3.E.1.c.2 Cooperative behavior tends to increase the fitness of the individual and the survival of the
population
3.E.1.c.2.IE Pack behavior in animals; Herd, flock, and schooling behavior in animals; predator warning;
colony and swarming behavior in insects.
4.A.5.a The structure of a community is measured and described in terms of species that interact
in complex ways.
4.A.5.b Mathematical or computer models are used to illustrate and investigate population interactions
within and environmental impacts on a community.
4.A.5.b. IE: Predator/prey relationships spreadsheet model; Symbiotic relationship; graphical
representation of field data; introduction of species; global climate change models
4.A.6 Interactions among living systems and with their environment result in the movement of matter
and energy
4.A.6.a. Energy flows, but matter is recycled.
4.A.6.c. Organisms within food webs and food chains interact.
4.A.6.d. Food webs and food chains are dependent on primary productivity.
4.A.6.b. Changes in regional and global climates and in atmosphere composition influence patterns of
primary productivity.
4.B.4.b. Geological and meteorlogical events impact ecosystem distribution.
4.B.4.b.1.IE Biogeographical studies illustrate these changes. El Nino; Continental Drift; Meteor impact of dinosaurs.
4.C.4. The diversity of species within an ecosystem may influence the stability of the ecosystem.
4.C.4.a Natural and artificial ecosystems with fewer component parts and with little diversity among
the parts are often less resilient to changes in the environment.
4.C.4.b Keystone species, producers, and essential abiotic and biotic factors contribute to maintaining
the diversity of an ecosystem. The effects of keystone species on the ecosystem are
disproportionate relative to their abundance in the ecosystem, and when they are removed from the ecosystem, the ecosystem often collapses.
4.A.6.f.1 Human activities impact ecosystems on local, regional and global scales. As human populations
have increased in numbers, their impact on habitats for other species have been magnified.
4.A.6.f.2 In turn, this has often reduced the population size of the affected species and resulted in
habitat destruction and, in some cases, the extinction of species.
4.B.4.a.IE Human impact accelerates change at local and global levels. IE: Logging, slash and burn
agriculture, urbanization, monocropping, infrastructure development (dams, transmission lines, roads)
and global climate change threaten ecosystems and life on Earth; An introduced species can exploit a
niche free of predators or competitors, thus exploiting new resources; Introduction of new diseases
can devastate native species. IE: Dutch Elm disease, Potato Blight, Small Pox
4.C.3 The level of variation in a population affects population dynamics.
4.C.3.a. Population ability to respond to changes in the environment is affected by genetic diversity.
Species and populations with little genetic diversity are at risk for extinction.
IE: California condors; Black-footed ferrets; Prairie chickens; Potato blight causing the potato famine;
Corn rust affects on agricultural crops; Tasmanian devils and infectious cancer.
4.C.4 The diversity of species within an ecosystem may influence the stability of the ecosystem.
4.C.4.a Natural and artificial ecosystems with fewer component parts and with little diversity among
the parts are often less resilient to changes in the environment.
4.C.4.b. Keystone species, producers, and essential abiotic and biotic factors contribute to maintaining
the diversity of an ecosystem. The effects of keystone species on the ecosystem are
disproportionate relative to their abundance in the ecosystem, and when they are removed from the ecosystem, the ecosystem often collapses.
4.B.3: Interactions between and within populations influence patterns of species distribution and
abundance.
4.B.3.b A population of organisms has properties that are different from those of the individuals that
make up the population. The cooperation and competitiion between individuals contributes to these
different properties.
4.B.3.a Interactions between populations affect the distributions and abundance of populations.
4.B.3.a.1 Competition, parasitism, predation, mutualism, and commensalism can affect population dynamics.
4.B.3.a.2 Relationships among interacting populations can be characterized by positive and negative
effects, and can be modeled mathematically (predator/prey, epidemiological models, invasive species)
4.B.3.a.3 Many complex symbiotic relationships exist in an ecosystem, and feedback control systems
play a role in the functioning of these ecosystems.
4.C.3.b Genetic diversity allows individuals in a population to respond differently to the same changes
in environmental conditions.
4.B.3.c.IE Species-specific and environmental catastrophes, geological events, the sudden influx/depletion
of abiotic resources or increased human activities affect species distributions and
abundance. IE: Loss of keystone species; Kudzu, Dutch Elm Disease.
4.A.5. Communities are composed of populations of organisms that interact in complex ways.
4.A.5.c Mathematical models and graphical representations are used to illustrate population growth
patterns and interactions.
4.A.5.c.1 Reproduction without constraints results in the exponential growth of a population
4.A.5.c.2 A population can produce a density of individuals that exceeds the system's resource
availability
4.A.5.c.3 As limits to growth due to density-dependent and density-independent factors are imposed, a
logistic growth model generally ensues.
4.A.5.c.4 Demographics data with respect to age distributions and ability to reproduce can be used to
study human populations.
direction; different genetic variations can be selected in each generation.
1.C.1.b.IE Species extinction rates are rapid at times of ecological stress. IE: Five major extinctions;
Human impact on ecosystems and species extinction rates.
2.A.1.f.IE Changes in free energy availability can result in disruptions to an ecosystem. IE: Change in the
producer level can affect the number and size of other tropic levels; Change in energy resources
levels such as sunlight can affect the number and size of the trophic levels.
2.A.2.a Autotrophs capture free energy from physical sources in the environment.
2.A.2.a.1 Photosynthetic organisms capture free energy present in sunlight.
2.A.2.a.2 Chemosynthetic organisms capture free energy from small inorganic molecules present in
their environment, and this process can occur in the absence of oxygen.
2.A.2.b Heterotrophs capture free energy present in carbon compounds produced by other organisms.
2.A.3.a.1 Carbon moves from the environment to organisms where it is used to build carbohydrates,
proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids. Carbon is used in storage compounds and cell formation in all organisms.
2.A.3.a.2 Nitrogen moves from the environment to organisms where it is used in building proteins and
nucleic acids. Phosphorus moves from the environment to organisms where it is used in nucleic acids
and certain lipids.
2.D.1 All biological systems from cells and organisms to populations, communities, and ecosystems are
affected by complex biotic and abiotic interactions involving exchange of matter and free energy.
2.D.1.b.IE Organism activities are affected by interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. IE: Symbiosis
(mutualism, commensalism, parasitism); Predator-prey relation-
ships; Water and nutrient availability, temperature, salinity, pH
2,D.1.c. The stability of populations, communities and ecosystems is affected by interactions with biotic
and abiotic factors. IE: Water and nutrient availability; availability of nesting materials and sites; food
chains and food webs; species diversity; population density; algal blooms.
2.C.2: Organisms respond to changes in their external environments.
2.C.2.a. Organisms respond to changes in their environment through behavioral and physiological
mehanisms.
2.C.2.a.IE Hibernation and migration in animals; Taxis and kinesis in animals; Noctural and diurnal activity:
circadian rhythms
2.E.2:Timing and coordination of physiological events are regulated by multiple mechanisms.
2.E.2.b.In animals, internal and external signals regulate a variety of physiological responses that
synchronize with environmental cycles and cues.
2.E.2.b.IE Circadian rhythms, or the physiological cycle of about 24 hours that is present in all
eukaryotes and persists even in the absence of external cues; Dirunal/nocturnal and sleep/wake
cycles; Jet lag in humans; Seasonal responses, such as hibernation, estivation, and migration; Visual
displays in the reproductive cycle.
2.E.3: Timing and coordination of behavior are regulated by various mechanisms and are important in
natural selection.
2.E.3.a. Individuals can act on information and communicate it to others.
2.E.3.a.1 Innate behaviors are behaviors that are inherited.
2.E.3.a.2 Learning occurs through interactions with the environment and other organisms
2.E.3.b. Responses to information and communication of information are vital to natural selection.
2.E.3.b.3.IE Behaviors in animals are triggered by environmental cues and are vital to reproduction,
natural selection and survival.
2.E.3.b.IE Hibernation, Estivation, Migration, Courtship
2.A.1.e Changes in free energy availability can result in changes in population size.
2.D.1.b.IE Organism activities are affected by interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. IE: symbiosis
(mutualism, commensalism, parasitism); predator-prey relationships; water and nutrient availability,
temperature, salinity, pH
2.E.3.b.4.IE Cooperative behavior within or between populations contributes to the survival of the
populations. IE: niche and resource partitioning
3.E.1.Individuals can act on information and communicate it to others.
3.E.1.a Organisms exchange information with each other in response to internal changes and external
cues, which can change behavior.
3.E.1.a. IE Fight or flight response, predator warnings; protection of young; avoidance responses
3.E.1.b Communication occurs through various mechanisms.
3.E.1.b.1 Living systems have a variety of signal behaviors or cues that produce changes in the behavior
of other organisms and can result in differential reproductive success.
3.E.1.b.1.IE Herbivory responses, Territorial marking in mammals.
3.E.1.b.2 Animals use visual, audible, tactile, electrical and chemical signals to indicate dominance find food,
establish territory and ensure reproductive success.
3.E.1.b.2. IE: Bee dances, Bird songs, Territorial markings in mammals; pack behavior in animals, herd,
flock, and schooling behavior in animals, predator warnings, colony and swarming behavior in insects;
coloration
3.E.1.c Responses to information and communication of information are vital to natural selection and
evolution.
3.E.1.c.1 Natural selection favors innate and learned behaviors that increase survival and reproductive
fitness.
3.E.1.c.1.IE Parent and offspring interactions; Migration patterns, Courthship and mating behaviors;
Foraging in bees and other animals, avoidance to electric fences, poisons, or traps.
3.E.1.c.2 Cooperative behavior tends to increase the fitness of the individual and the survival of the
population
3.E.1.c.2.IE Pack behavior in animals; Herd, flock, and schooling behavior in animals; predator warning;
colony and swarming behavior in insects.
4.A.5.a The structure of a community is measured and described in terms of species that interact
in complex ways.
4.A.5.b Mathematical or computer models are used to illustrate and investigate population interactions
within and environmental impacts on a community.
4.A.5.b. IE: Predator/prey relationships spreadsheet model; Symbiotic relationship; graphical
representation of field data; introduction of species; global climate change models
4.A.6 Interactions among living systems and with their environment result in the movement of matter
and energy
4.A.6.a. Energy flows, but matter is recycled.
4.A.6.c. Organisms within food webs and food chains interact.
4.A.6.d. Food webs and food chains are dependent on primary productivity.
4.A.6.b. Changes in regional and global climates and in atmosphere composition influence patterns of
primary productivity.
4.B.4.b. Geological and meteorlogical events impact ecosystem distribution.
4.B.4.b.1.IE Biogeographical studies illustrate these changes. El Nino; Continental Drift; Meteor impact of dinosaurs.
4.C.4. The diversity of species within an ecosystem may influence the stability of the ecosystem.
4.C.4.a Natural and artificial ecosystems with fewer component parts and with little diversity among
the parts are often less resilient to changes in the environment.
4.C.4.b Keystone species, producers, and essential abiotic and biotic factors contribute to maintaining
the diversity of an ecosystem. The effects of keystone species on the ecosystem are
disproportionate relative to their abundance in the ecosystem, and when they are removed from the ecosystem, the ecosystem often collapses.
4.A.6.f.1 Human activities impact ecosystems on local, regional and global scales. As human populations
have increased in numbers, their impact on habitats for other species have been magnified.
4.A.6.f.2 In turn, this has often reduced the population size of the affected species and resulted in
habitat destruction and, in some cases, the extinction of species.
4.B.4.a.IE Human impact accelerates change at local and global levels. IE: Logging, slash and burn
agriculture, urbanization, monocropping, infrastructure development (dams, transmission lines, roads)
and global climate change threaten ecosystems and life on Earth; An introduced species can exploit a
niche free of predators or competitors, thus exploiting new resources; Introduction of new diseases
can devastate native species. IE: Dutch Elm disease, Potato Blight, Small Pox
4.C.3 The level of variation in a population affects population dynamics.
4.C.3.a. Population ability to respond to changes in the environment is affected by genetic diversity.
Species and populations with little genetic diversity are at risk for extinction.
IE: California condors; Black-footed ferrets; Prairie chickens; Potato blight causing the potato famine;
Corn rust affects on agricultural crops; Tasmanian devils and infectious cancer.
4.C.4 The diversity of species within an ecosystem may influence the stability of the ecosystem.
4.C.4.a Natural and artificial ecosystems with fewer component parts and with little diversity among
the parts are often less resilient to changes in the environment.
4.C.4.b. Keystone species, producers, and essential abiotic and biotic factors contribute to maintaining
the diversity of an ecosystem. The effects of keystone species on the ecosystem are
disproportionate relative to their abundance in the ecosystem, and when they are removed from the ecosystem, the ecosystem often collapses.
4.B.3: Interactions between and within populations influence patterns of species distribution and
abundance.
4.B.3.b A population of organisms has properties that are different from those of the individuals that
make up the population. The cooperation and competitiion between individuals contributes to these
different properties.
4.B.3.a Interactions between populations affect the distributions and abundance of populations.
4.B.3.a.1 Competition, parasitism, predation, mutualism, and commensalism can affect population dynamics.
4.B.3.a.2 Relationships among interacting populations can be characterized by positive and negative
effects, and can be modeled mathematically (predator/prey, epidemiological models, invasive species)
4.B.3.a.3 Many complex symbiotic relationships exist in an ecosystem, and feedback control systems
play a role in the functioning of these ecosystems.
4.C.3.b Genetic diversity allows individuals in a population to respond differently to the same changes
in environmental conditions.
4.B.3.c.IE Species-specific and environmental catastrophes, geological events, the sudden influx/depletion
of abiotic resources or increased human activities affect species distributions and
abundance. IE: Loss of keystone species; Kudzu, Dutch Elm Disease.
4.A.5. Communities are composed of populations of organisms that interact in complex ways.
4.A.5.c Mathematical models and graphical representations are used to illustrate population growth
patterns and interactions.
4.A.5.c.1 Reproduction without constraints results in the exponential growth of a population
4.A.5.c.2 A population can produce a density of individuals that exceeds the system's resource
availability
4.A.5.c.3 As limits to growth due to density-dependent and density-independent factors are imposed, a
logistic growth model generally ensues.
4.A.5.c.4 Demographics data with respect to age distributions and ability to reproduce can be used to
study human populations.