Grade 9 Biology Curriculum Summary (U.S.)

Topics Covered:
1. Atoms, elements, and compounds
2. Water properties (polarity, cohesion, adhesion, pH)
3. Organic molecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids
4. Enzymes and biochemical reactions

Skills Developed:

1. Understanding molecular structures
2. Identifying macromolecules
3. Explaining enzyme function and factors that affect it (temperature, pH, etc.)

Topics Covered:
1. Cell theory
2. Prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells
3. Organelles and their functions (nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, etc.)
4. Cell membranes: structure and transport (diffusion, osmosis, active transport)

Skills Developed:

1. Labeling and describing cell parts
2. Understanding membrane permeability
3. Investigating osmosis and diffusion through lab simulations

Topics Covered:
1. Photosynthesis (light-dependent and independent reactions)
2. Cellular respiration (glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ETC)
3. ATP and energy transformation
4. Anaerobic vs aerobic respiration

Skills Developed:

1. Comparing photosynthesis and respiration
2. Balancing chemical equations
3. Analyzing experimental data on plant growth or fermentation

Topics Covered:
1. Cell cycle: interphase, mitosis, cytokinesis
2. Purpose and stages of mitosis
3. Cancer and uncontrolled cell growth
4. Asexual reproduction

Skills Developed:

1. Identifying mitotic stages under a microscope
2. Interpreting cell cycle graphs
3. Understanding causes of cancer

Topics Covered:
1. DNA structure and replication
2. RNA and protein synthesis (transcription & translation)
3. Mendelian genetics: dominant/recessive traits, Punnett squares
4. Non-Mendelian inheritance: codominance, incomplete dominance, polygenic traits
5. Genetic mutations and biotechnology (CRISPR, GMOs)

Skills Developed:

1. Predicting inheritance patterns
2. Solving Punnett square problems
3. Analyzing pedigrees
4. Discussing ethical implications of genetic technology

Topics Covered:
1. Darwin’s theory of natural selection
2. Evidence for evolution: fossils, anatomy, embryology, molecular biology
3. Speciation and adaptation
4. Artificial selection

Skills Developed:

1. Constructing phylogenetic trees
2. Interpreting fossil records
3. Evaluating evolutionary models

Topics Covered:
1. Levels of ecological organization: organism → biosphere
2. Energy flow in ecosystems: food chains, webs, trophic levels
3. Biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, water)
4. Population dynamics and carrying capacity
5. Human impact on ecosystems (pollution, deforestation, climate change)

Skills Developed:

1. Graphing population growth
2. Analyzing ecological interactions (predation, competition, symbiosis)
3. Evaluating conservation efforts and sustainability practices

Note: Some schools introduce this at a basic level; more detailed study is usually in Grade 10 or Anatomy & Physiology.
Systems Introduced:

1. Circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, and immune systems
2. How systems work together (homeostasis)