← Biology syllabus

FloridaBiology

Reporting Category 1: Molecular and Cellular Biology

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do cells release the energy stored in glucose, and what is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration?

Identify the reactants, products, and basic functions of aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration (NGSSS SC.912.L.18.8; Reporting Category 1, Molecular and Cellular Biology).
A benchmark-level answer on cellular respiration for the Florida Biology 1 EOC: the reactants and products of aerobic respiration, the role of the mitochondrion and ATP, and the two types of anaerobic respiration (fermentation).
12 min answer →

How do enzymes speed up reactions, and why do temperature and pH change how well they work?

Explain the role of enzymes as catalysts that lower the activation energy of biochemical reactions, and identify factors such as pH and temperature that affect enzyme activity (NGSSS SC.912.L.18.11; Reporting Category 1, Molecular and Cellular Biology).
A benchmark-level answer on enzymes for the Florida Biology 1 EOC: catalysts and activation energy, the active site and substrate, the lock-and-key model, and how temperature, pH, and denaturation affect enzyme activity.
12 min answer →

What are the four main types of biological molecule, and what does each do in a living thing?

Describe the basic molecular structures and primary functions of the four major categories of biological macromolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (NGSSS SC.912.L.18.1; Reporting Category 1, Molecular and Cellular Biology).
A benchmark-level answer on biological macromolecules for the Florida Biology 1 EOC: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, their monomers, the elements they contain, and the function of each.
12 min answer →

How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration linked, and why do they form a cycle?

Explain the interrelated nature of photosynthesis and cellular respiration (NGSSS SC.912.L.18.9; Reporting Category 1, Molecular and Cellular Biology).
A benchmark-level answer on the link between photosynthesis and respiration for the Florida Biology 1 EOC: how the products of one are the reactants of the other, the cycling of matter and energy, and why both happen in plants.
11 min answer →

How do plants capture light energy and use it to make food, and what goes in and comes out?

Identify the reactants, products, and basic functions of photosynthesis (NGSSS SC.912.L.18.7; Reporting Category 1, Molecular and Cellular Biology).
A benchmark-level answer on photosynthesis for the Florida Biology 1 EOC: the reactants and products, the chloroplast and chlorophyll, where the energy goes, and the overall equation.
12 min answer →

What makes water so well suited to supporting life on Earth?

Discuss the properties of water that contribute to Earth's suitability as an environment for life (NGSSS SC.912.L.18.12; Reporting Category 1, Molecular and Cellular Biology).
A benchmark-level answer on water for the Florida Biology 1 EOC: polarity and hydrogen bonding, cohesion and adhesion, high heat capacity, the universal solvent, and why ice floats.
11 min answer →