IEOC Biology Content Coverage

Interactive released itemsPrint-ready released items

The Iowa End-of-Course assessments are designed to assess student knowledge and skills in a variety of subject areas. The test consists of 30 multiple-choice items and is designed to be administered during a single class period. The test items, which are aligned to the Iowa Core Curriculum, reflect educator input and a rigorous quality-control process to ensure appropriateness, content accuracy, and clarity.

A summary of the content covered within the Biology test is presented below.

The cell

Topics may include cell types, cell components and their functions, cell membranes (absorption and transport), the cell cycle, mitosis, cell differentiation, photosynthesis, cellular respiration,enzymes as catalysts of biological reactions.

Molecular basis of heredity

Topics may include DNA, RNA, DNA replication, transcription, translation, sexual reproduction, gametes, meiosis, fertilization, genes, alleles, Mendel’s laws, Punnett square, genotype, phenotype, and mutations.

Biological evolution

Topics may include diversity of organisms, descent from common ancestors, natural selection, survival and reproductive success, genetic variation, biological classification, and binomial nomenclature.

Interdependence of organisms/Matter, energy, and organization in living systems

Topics may include cycling of materials, symbiotic interactions, competition, predation, population, community, food chains, food webs, energy flow through trophic levels, effects of environmental factors and finite resources, impact of human activities on ecosystems, the Sun as the primary source of energy for life, energy aspects of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, ATP, conservation of matter and energy, and levels of biological organization.

Behavior of organisms

Topics may include nerve cell structure and function, neurotransmitters, CNS and PNS, ectothermy and endothermy, innate behavior, learning, behavioral responses to external and internal stimuli, plant behavior, human immune system, and human endocrine system and hormones.