Table 1.

Top-level concepts in the BCF

1. Biology is based on observational and experimental science.

2. At the molecular level, biology is based on three-dimensional interactions of complementary surfaces.

3. The cell is the basic unit of life.

4. All cells share many processes/mechanisms.

5. Cells interact with other cells.

6. Cells are created from other cells.

7. DNA is the source of heritable information in a cell.

8. A gene is the functional unit of heredity.

9. The structure of DNA dictates the mechanism of the production of nucleic acids and proteins.

10. Sexual reproduction is a powerful source of variation.

11. Life processes are the result of regulated chemical reactions.

12. Proteins perform many varied functions in a cell.

13. Recombinant DNA technology allows scientists to manipulate the genetic composition of a cell.

14. The expression of genes is regulated.

15. All carbon-containing biomass is created from CO2.

16. Populations of organisms evolve because of variation and selection.

17. Organisms and the environment modify each other.

18. In multicellular organisms, multiple cell types can work together to form tissues which work together to form organs.

Numbering is for practical purposes and does not indicate relative importance. Natural language is used to formulate the organizing concepts.