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Biology

Explore life at every scale — from molecular biochemistry and cell biology through genetics, evolution, ecology, and human body systems. Interactive Desmos models for population dynamics and enzyme kinetics. TEKS §112.42 aligned.

14 Units

40-55 minutes per unit

What You Will Learn

Molecular to Ecological

Biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and body systems — the full scope of modern biology.

Interactive Models

Desmos-powered population growth models, enzyme kinetics, and genetic probability simulations.

TEKS §112.42 Aligned

Covers Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Biology.

All Units

The Nature of Life and Scientific Investigation

Examine what defines life, how scientists design reliable investigations, and why biology matters far beyond the classroom.

•Identify and apply the eight characteristics of life to distinguish living from non-living systems.
•Design controlled experiments with clearly identified variables, controls, and measurable outcomes.
•Differentiate among hypotheses, theories, and laws using precise scientific definitions.
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Chemistry of Life

Investigate the chemistry that powers every living thing — from water's unique properties to macromolecules and the enzymes that catalyze life's reactions.

•Explain how water's polarity and hydrogen bonding produce properties essential for life.
•Describe how carbon's bonding versatility makes it the structural backbone of biological molecules.
•Compare the structure, function, and monomers of the four classes of macromolecules.
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Cell Structure and Function

Explore the internal architecture of cells — from the simplicity of prokaryotes to the compartmentalized complexity of eukaryotes — and understand how organelle structure drives cellular function.

•Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of structure and complexity.
•Identify major eukaryotic organelles and explain the function of each.
•Explain the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane and how it regulates what enters and exits the cell.
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Cell Transport and Homeostasis

Understand how cells move molecules across their membranes — from passive diffusion and osmosis to energy-driven active transport — and why this movement is essential to homeostasis.

•Explain diffusion and osmosis as passive transport processes driven by concentration gradients.
•Predict the direction of water movement in hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions.
•Compare passive transport with active transport, endocytosis, and exocytosis.
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Cellular Energy

Trace the flow of energy through living systems — from sunlight captured by photosynthesis to the ATP produced by cellular respiration — and understand how these two processes are interconnected.

•Explain how ATP stores and releases energy for cellular work.
•Summarize the overall equation and stages of photosynthesis, including the roles of chlorophyll and light.
•Summarize the overall equation and stages of cellular respiration, including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.
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Cell Growth and Division

Explore why cells divide, how the cell cycle regulates growth, and how mitosis and meiosis produce the cells organisms need — from wound healing to sexual reproduction.

•Explain why cells divide and the role of the surface-area-to-volume ratio in limiting cell size.
•Describe the stages of the cell cycle, including interphase and the phases of mitosis.
•Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis in terms of purpose, process, and outcome.
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Mendelian Genetics

Learn the foundational principles of heredity discovered by Gregor Mendel — dominance, segregation, and independent assortment — and apply them through Punnett squares and probability.

•Define and apply key genetics vocabulary: gene, allele, genotype, phenotype, dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous.
•Use Punnett squares to predict the genotypic and phenotypic ratios of monohybrid and dihybrid crosses.
•Explain the laws of segregation and independent assortment and connect them to the events of meiosis.
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Molecular Genetics

Explore DNA structure, replication, and the central dogma of molecular biology — how genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein through transcription and translation.

•Describe the structure of DNA including nucleotide composition, base pairing rules, and the double helix.
•Explain the process of DNA replication and why it is described as semiconservative.
•Summarize the steps of transcription and the role of mRNA in carrying genetic information.
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Evolution and Natural Selection

Investigate the evidence for evolution and understand how natural selection, genetic variation, and environmental pressures drive the diversification of life over time.

•Explain Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and identify its four conditions.
•Evaluate multiple lines of evidence for evolution, including fossils, comparative anatomy, embryology, and molecular biology.
•Distinguish between directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection.
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Classification and Taxonomy

Learn how scientists organize the diversity of life using hierarchical classification, binomial nomenclature, phylogenetic trees, and dichotomous keys.

•Explain the purpose of biological classification and describe Linnaeus's hierarchical system.
•Use binomial nomenclature to identify organisms by genus and species.
•Compare the three domains of life and describe the key characteristics of each kingdom.
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Examine plant structure and function — from photosynthesis at the cellular level to whole-plant anatomy, transport systems, and reproductive strategies.

•Connect photosynthesis to plant energy needs and explain how leaf structure maximizes light capture and gas exchange.
•Identify the major organs of a plant (roots, stems, leaves) and describe their functions.
•Explain how water and minerals move through xylem and how sugars move through phloem.
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Animal Body Systems

Examine how the nervous, endocrine, immune, and circulatory systems work together to maintain homeostasis in complex organisms.

•Explain how the nervous system detects stimuli and coordinates rapid responses through neurons and neurotransmitters.
•Describe how the endocrine system uses hormones for long-term regulation of growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
•Distinguish between innate and adaptive immunity and explain how the immune system defends against pathogens.
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Ecology and Ecosystems

Investigate how energy flows and matter cycles through ecosystems, how populations grow and are regulated, and how species interactions shape biological communities.

•Trace the flow of energy through trophic levels and explain why energy transfer is inefficient.
•Describe the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles and explain why nutrient cycling is essential for ecosystems.
•Analyze factors that regulate population growth, including carrying capacity, density-dependent, and density-independent factors.
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Human Impact and Bioethics

Examine how human activities affect biodiversity and climate, explore genetic engineering technologies like GMOs and CRISPR, and consider the ethical dimensions of using biology to reshape the living world.

•Describe the major causes and consequences of biodiversity loss, including habitat destruction, invasive species, and overexploitation.
•Explain the biological mechanisms of climate change and its effects on ecosystems and species.
•Compare genetic engineering techniques — selective breeding, GMOs, and CRISPR — and evaluate their applications and risks.
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Grade 9 Biology. Texas FHSP graduation requirement. TEKS §112.42 aligned.