Big Idea 4: Systems

Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

• Enduring understanding 4.A: Interactions within biological systems lead to complex properties.
  • 4.A.1: The subcomponents of biological molecules and their sequence determine the properties of that molecule.
  • 4.A.2: The structure and function of subcellular components, and their interactions, provide essential cellular processes.
  • 4.A.3: Interactions between external stimuli and regulated gene expression result in specialization of cells, tissues and organs.
  • 4.A.4: Organisms exhibit complex properties due to interactions between their constituent parts.
  • 4.A.5: Communities are composed of populations of organisms that interact in complex ways.
  • 4.A.6: Interactions among living systems and with their environment result in the movement of matter and energy.
• Enduring understanding 4.B: Competition and cooperation are important aspects of biological systems.
  • 4.B.1: Interactions between molecules affect their structure and function.
  • 4.B.2: Cooperative interactions within organisms promote efficiency in the use of energy and matter.
  • 4.B.3: Interactions between and within populations influence patterns of species distribution and abundance.
  • 4.B.4: Distribution of local and global ecosystems changes over time.
• Enduring understanding 4.C: Naturally occurring diversity among and between components within biological systems affects interactions with the environment.
  • 4.C.1: Variation in molecular units provides cells with a wider range of functions.
  • 4.C.2: Environmental factors influence the expression of the genotype in an organism.
  • 4.C.3: The level of variation in a population affects population dynamics.
  • 4.C.4: The diversity of species within an ecosystem may influence the stability of the ecosystem.

Sample Learning Objectives- What should I be able to do?

• use models to explain how the subcomponents of a biological polymer determine the properties of that polymer
• construct explanations as to how interactions of subcellular structures provide essential functions
• predict the effects of a change in a component of a biological system on the functionality of an organism
• illustrate how interactions among living systems with their environment result in the movement of matter and energy
• explain how the distribution of ecosystems changes over time by identifying large-scale events in the past.
• predict consequences of human actions on both local and global ecosystems.
• make predictions about how species diversity influences ecosystem stability