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Science and Technology/Engineering | Grade : 7
Discipline - Life Science
Core Idea - From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
[7.LS.1.4] - Construct an explanation based on evidence for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures increase the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants. Clarification Statements: Examples of animal behaviors that affect the probability of animal reproduction could include nest building to protect young from cold, herding of animals to protect young from predators, and vocalizations and colorful plumage to attract mates for breeding. Examples of animal behaviors that affect the probability of plant reproduction could include (a) transferring pollen or seeds and (b) creating conditions for seed germination and growth. Examples of plant structures that affect the probability of plant reproduction could include bright flowers attracting butterflies that transfer pollen, flower nectar, and odors that attract insects that transfer pollen, and hard shells on nuts that squirrels bury.State Assessment Boundary: Natural selection is not expected in state assessment.
[WCA.6-8.9] -
Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, interpretation, reflection, and research. (See grades 6-8 Reading Standard 1 for more on the use of textual evidence.)
[7.SP.A.1] -
Understand that statistics can be used to gain information about a population by examining a sample of the population; generalizations about a population from a sample are valid only if the sample is representative of that population. Understand that random sampling tends to produce representative samples and support valid inferences.
[7.SP.C.5] -
Understand that the probability of a chance event is a number between 0 and 1 that expresses the likelihood of the event occurring. Larger numbers indicate greater likelihood. A probability near 0 indicates an unlikely event, a probability around ½ indicates an event that is neither unlikely nor likely, and a probability near 1 indicates a likely event.
[3.LS.4.2] -
Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals within the same species may provide advantages to these individuals in their survival and reproduction.
Clarification Statements: Examples can include rose bushes of the same species, one with slightly longer thorns than the other which may prevent its predation by deer, and color variation within a species that may provide advantages so one organism may be more likely to survive and therefore more likely to produce offspring; Examples of evidence could include needs and characteristics of the organisms and habitats involved.
[4.LS.1.1] -
Construct an argument that animals and plants have internal and external structures that support their survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
Clarification Statements: Animal structures can include legs, wings, fins, feathers, trunks, claws, horns, antennae, eyes, ears, nose, heart, stomach, lung, brain, and skin. Plant structures can include leaves, roots, stems, bark, branches, flowers, fruit, and seeds. State Assessment Boundary: State assessment will be limited to macroscopic structures.
[8.LS.4.4] -
Use a model to describe the process of natural selection, in which genetic variations of some traits in a population increase some individuals’ likelihood of surviving and reproducing in a changing environment. Provide evidence that natural selection occurs over many generations.
Clarification Statements: The model should include simple probability statements and proportional reasoning. Examples of evidence can include Darwin’s finches, necks of giraffes, and peppered moths. State Assessment Boundary: Specific conditions that lead to natural selection are not expected in state assessment.