High School

Inheritance and Variation


Cellular Division and Differentiation
Use a model to illustrate the role of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining complex organisms.


Chromosomal Inheritance
Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring.


Inheritable Genetic Variation
Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from: (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis, (2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.


Variation and Distribution of Traits
Apply concepts of statistics and probability to explain the variation and distribution of expressed traits in a population.