← Biology syllabus

TennesseeBiology

LS1: From Molecules to Organisms (Cells and Transport)

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

How does the structure of each organelle suit the job it does in the cell?

Develop and use models to relate the structure of cell organelles to their function in plant and animal cells (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on organelles for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: the nucleus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, lysosomes, the cell membrane, and the plant-only cell wall and vacuole, each as a structure-and-function pair.
13 min answer →

What is cell theory, and how do we know all living things are made of cells?

Use evidence and models to explain the three parts of cell theory and how it was built as microscopes improved (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on cell theory for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: the three parts of cell theory, how it was built over 150 years as microscopes improved, what this shows about the nature of science, and the basic split between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
13 min answer →

How does meiosis halve the chromosome number and create genetic variation?

Use a model of meiosis to explain how sexual reproduction halves the chromosome number and creates genetic variation through crossing over, independent assortment, and random fertilization (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS3).
A standard-level answer on meiosis for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: how meiosis produces four haploid gametes from one diploid cell, how it differs from mitosis, and the three sources of genetic variation it provides (crossing over, independent assortment, and random fertilization).
12 min answer →

How do prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ, and why does the eukaryotic design matter?

Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using structural and functional evidence (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on cell types for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: what all cells share, the defining difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the plant-versus-animal differences among eukaryotes, and why compartmentalization is the eukaryotic advantage.
12 min answer →

How does a cell grow and divide, and what happens when the controls on division fail?

Use a model of the cell cycle to explain how mitosis produces identical cells for growth and repair, and how a loss of cycle control leads to cancer (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on the cell cycle for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: interphase and the phases of mitosis (PMAT), how mitosis makes two genetically identical cells for growth and repair, the role of cell-cycle checkpoints, and how a mutation that disables them leads to cancer.
12 min answer →

How does the cell membrane control what enters and leaves a cell, and how does that maintain homeostasis?

Develop and use a model of the cell membrane to explain how passive and active transport move substances and maintain homeostasis (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS1).
A standard-level answer on membrane transport for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: the selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer, passive transport (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion), active transport against the gradient, and how osmosis affects cells in hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic solutions.
13 min answer →