Ingredients for Life (Biochemistry)

EXPECTATION

3.1 The student will be able to explain the correlation between the structure and function of biologically important molecules and their relationship to cell processes.

INDICATOR

• 3.1.1 The student will be able to describe the unique characteristics of chemical substances and macromolecules utilized by living systems.
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Assessment limits:

• water (inorganic molecule, polarity, density, and solvent properties)
• carbohydrates (organic molecule; monosaccharides are building blocks; supplier of energy and dietary fiber; structural component of cells: cell wall, cellulose)
• lipids (organic molecule; component of cell membranes; stored energy supply)
• proteins (organic molecule; amino acids are building blocks; structural and functional role, including enzymes)
• nucleic acids (organic molecule; nucleotides are building blocks - sugar, phosphate, & nitrogen bases; DNA is a double helix, RNA is a single strand; DNA replication; DNA role in storage of genetic information)
• minerals (inorganic substances essential for cellular processes)
• vitamins (organic molecule; role in human body: C – wound healing, K – blood clotting, D – bone growth)

INDICATOR

• 3.1.2 The student will be able to discuss factors involved in the regulation of chemical activity as part of a homeostatic mechanism.
• PUBLIC RELEASE PDF

Assessment limits:

• osmosis (predicting water flow across a membrane based on the cell’s environment; explain role in living systems)
• temperature (effect upon enzyme activity and metabolic rate; effect upon rate of diffusion and states of matter)
• pH (pH scale: relative values for acids and bases; effect on living systems: cellular, organismal)
• enzyme regulation (effect of temperature, pH, and enzyme/substrate concentration on enzyme activity)