B.DI: DIVERSITY AND INTERDEPENDENCE OF LIFE
B.DI.1: Biodiversity
- Genetic diversity
- Species diversity
CONTENT ELABORATION: DIVERSITY AND INTERDEPENDENCE OF LIFE
Building on knowledge from elementary school (interactions of organisms within their environment and the law of conservation of matter and energy, food webs) and from middle school (flow of energy through organisms, biomes and biogeochemical cycles), this topic at the high school level focuses on the study of diversity and similarity at the molecular level of organisms. Additionally, the effects of physical/chemical constraints on all biological relationships and systems are investigated. The unidirectional flow of energy and the cycling of matter as organisms grow, reproduce and die occurs at all levels of biological organization.
Previous knowledge focused on biological systems at equilibrium; at the high school level, biological systems not at equilibrium and their responses are considered. Diagrams and models are used to explain the effects of real-world interactions and events within an ecosystem.
B.DI.1: Biodiversity
The great diversity of organisms and ecological niches they occupy result from more than 3.8 billion years of evolution. Populations of individual species and groups of species comprise a vast reserve of genetic diversity. Loss of diversity alters energy flow, cycles of matter and persistence within biological communities. Loss of genetic diversity in a population increases its probability of extinction.
EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
The content in the standards needs to be taught in ways that incorporate the nature of science and engage students in scientific thought processes. Where possible, real-world data and problem- and project-based experiences should be utilized. Ohio’s Cognitive Demands relate to current understanding and research about the ways people learn and are important aspects to the overall understanding of science concepts. Care should be taken to provide students opportunities to engage in all four types of thinking. Additionally, lessons need to be designed so that they incorporate the concepts described in the Nature of Science.