Organisms inherit genetic information in a variety of ways that result in continuity of structure and function between parents and offspring. Individual organisms and species change over time. The continuity of life is sustained through reproduction and development.
Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium that sustains life.
Plants and animals depend on each other and their physical environment. Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact on the physical and living environment. The central purpose of scientific inquiry is to develop explanations of natural phenomena in a continuing, creative process. Beyond the use of reasoning and consensus, scientific inquiry involves the testing of proposed explanations involving the use of conventional techniques and procedures and usually requiring considerable ingenuity. The observations made while testing proposed explanations, when analyzed using conventional and invented methods, provide new insights into phenomena.