8.L.1 Understand the structure and hazards caused by agents of disease that effect living organisms.
- 8.L.1.1 Summarize the basic characteristics of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites relating to the spread, treatment and prevention of disease.
- 8.L.1.2 Explain the difference between epidemic and pandemic as it relates to the spread, treatment and prevention of disease.
8.L.2 Understand how biotechnology is used to affect living organisms.
- 8.L.2.1 Summarize aspects of biotechnology including:
- Specific genetic information available
- Careers
- Economic benefits to North Carolina
- Ethical issues
- Implications for agriculture
8.L.3 Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environment.
- 8.L.3.1 Explain how factors such as food, water, shelter, and space affect populations in an ecosystem.
- 8.L.3.2 Summarize the relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers including the positive and negative consequences of such interactions including:
- coexistence and cooperation
- competition (predator/prey)
- parasitism
- mutualism
- 8.L.3.3 Explain how the flow of energy within food webs is interconnected with the cycling of matter (including water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen).
8.L.4 Understand the evolution of organisms and landforms based on evidence, theories and processes that impact the Earth over time.
- 8.L.4.1 Summarize the use of evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy to form the basis for biological classification systems and the theory of evolution.
- 8.L.4.2 Explain the relationship between genetic variation and an organism’s ability to adapt to its environment.