Grade 10 Biology Curriculum Summary (U.S.)

Topics:

• Review of cell types and structures

• Cell membrane structure and function

• Passive vs active transport (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion)

• Homeostasis at the cellular level

Skills:

• Microscope lab work

• Modeling membrane function

• Predicting movement of substances across membranes

Topics:

• Photosynthesis: light-dependent and light-independent reactions

• Cellular respiration: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain

• ATP as energy currency

• Relationship between photosynthesis and respiration

Skills:

• Writing balanced chemical equations

• Designing experiments with variables (e.g., light intensity and photosynthesis)

• Measuring carbon dioxide or oxygen output

Topics:

• Cell cycle stages: G1, S, G2, Mitosis, Cytokinesis

• Mitosis vs meiosis: purpose, stages, and outcomes

• Cancer and cell cycle disruptions

• Importance of chromosome number in reproduction

Skills:

• Drawing or identifying stages under a microscope

• Modeling chromosome separation

• Understanding chromosomal disorders (e.g., Down syndrome)

Topics:

• DNA structure and replication

• RNA structure and protein synthesis (transcription, translation)

• Mendelian genetics: monohybrid, dihybrid crosses

• Mutations and their effects

• Genetic engineering and biotechnology: CRISPR, cloning, gene therapy

Skills:

• Solving Punnett squares and genetic problems

• Interpreting pedigrees

• Discussing ethical implications of genetic manipulation

Topics:

• Natural selection and adaptation

• Evidence for evolution (fossils, homologous structures, molecular data)

• Genetic variation, gene flow, genetic drift

• Speciation and extinction

• Common ancestry and evolutionary trees

Skills:

• Constructing cladograms

• Analyzing DNA similarities across species

• Connecting evolution to antibiotic resistance and real-world examples

Topics:

• Ecosystems and biomes

• Food chains and food webs

• Trophic levels and energy flow (10% rule)

• Biodiversity and keystone species

• Climate change, pollution, conservation, and human impact

Skills:

• Creating ecological models

• Graphing population growth and carrying capacity

• Analyzing ecological case studies

Topics:

• Overview of organ systems: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, immune

• Homeostasis and feedback mechanisms

• Immune response and vaccination

• Infectious diseases and pathogens

Skills:

• Explaining system interactions (e.g., nervous and muscular)

• Interpreting diagrams of body systems

• Evaluating public health issues