Learning Domain: From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes

Standard: Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multi-cellular organisms.

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Learning Domain: From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes

Standard: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Learning Domain: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Standard: Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex biotic and abiotic interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a modified ecosystem.

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Learning Domain: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Standard: Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Learning Domain: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Standard: Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily result s from four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment.

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Learning Domain: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Standard: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Science Domain: Life Sciences

Topic: Structure and Function

Standard: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include identification of specific cell or tissue types, whole body systems, specific protein structures and functions, or the biochemistry of protein synthesis.]

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Science Domain: Life Sciences

Topic: Structure and Function

Standard: Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on functions at the organism system level such as nutrient uptake, water delivery, and organism movement in response to neural stimuli. An example of an interacting system could be an artery depending on the proper function of elastic tissue and smooth muscle to regulate and deliver the proper amount of blood within the circulatory system.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include interactions and functions at the molecular or chemical reaction level.]

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Science Domain: Life Sciences

Topic: Structure and Function

Standard: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis. [Clarification Statement: Examples of investigations could include heart rate response to exercise, stomate response to moisture and temperature, and root development in response to water levels.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include the cellular processes involved in the feedback mechanism.]

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Science Domain: Life Sciences

Topic: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

Standard: Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem. [Clarification Statement: Examples of changes in ecosystem conditions could include modest biological or physical changes, such as moderate hunting or a seasonal flood; and extreme changes, such as volcanic eruption or sea level rise.]

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Science Domain: Life Sciences

Topic: Natural Selection and Evolution

Standard: Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on a conceptual understanding of the role each line of evidence has relating to common ancestry and biological evolution. Examples of evidence could include similarities in DNA sequences, anatomical structures, and order of appearance of structures in embryological development.]

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Science Domain: Life Sciences

Topic: Natural Selection and Evolution

Standard: Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution primarily results from four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using evidence to explain the influence each of the four factors has on number of organisms, behaviors, morphology, or physiology in terms of ability to compete for limited resources and subsequent survival of individuals and adaptation of species. Examples of evidence could include mathematical models such as simple distribution graphs and proportional reasoning.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include other mechanisms of evolution, such as genetic drift, gene flow through migration, and co-evolution.]

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)

Science Domain: Life Sciences

Topic: Natural Selection and Evolution

Standard: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using data to provide evidence for how specific biotic and abiotic differences in ecosystems (such as ranges of seasonal temperature, long-term climate change, acidity, light, geographic barriers, or evolution of other organisms) contribute to a change in gene frequency over time, leading to adaptation of populations.]

Degree of Alignment: Not Rated (0 users)