8th- Second 9 weeksÂ
8th- Second 9 weeksÂ
This curriculum map is a constantly monitored and edited document by building specific administration and teachers. Changes may occur throughout the school year to stay updated with state requirements. Any questions regarding content should be directed towards the teacher of your child’s class or content area.
How can one explain the ways cells contribute to the function of living organisms?
Growth and development of organisms
a. Animals engage in characteristic behaviors that increase the odds of reproduction.
b. Plants reproduce in a variety of ways, sometimes depending on animal behavior and specialized features for reproduction.
c. Genetic factors as well as local conditions affect the growth of organisms.
d. Organisms reproduce, either sexually or asexually, and transfer their genetic information to their offspring.
How do living organisms pass traits form one generation to the next?
1. Inheritance of traits
a. Genes are located in the chromosomes of cells, with each chromosome pair containing two variants of each of many distinct genes. Each distinct gene chiefly controls the production of specific proteins, which in turn affects the traits of the individual. Changes (mutations) to genes can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structures and functions of the organism and thereby change traits.
b. Variations of inherited traits between parent and offspring arise from genetic differences that result from the subset of chromosomes (and therefore genes) inherited.
2. Variation of traits
a. In sexually reproducing organisms, each parent contributes half of the genes acquired (at random) by the offspring. Individuals have two of each chromosome and hence two alleles of each gene, one acquired from each parent. These versions may be identical or may differ form each other.
b. In addition to variations that arise from sexual reproduction, genetic information can be altered because of mutations. Though rare, mutations may result in changes to the structure and function of proteins. Some changes are beneficial, others harmful, and some neutral to the organism.
MS-LS1-4: I can explain how some animal behaviors help them to successfully reproduce. I can explain how some plant structures allow plants to successfully
reproduce. I can back up my explanations with facts.
MS-LS1-5: I can explain how environmental factors affect the growth of organisms. I can explain how genetic factors affect the growth of organisms. I can back up my explanations with facts.
MS-LS3-1: I can create a model to show how genetic mutations on chromosomes can affect an organism's proteins. I can explain that these changes may be helpful, harmful, or have no effect on the organism.
MS-LS3-2: I can explain why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information. I can explain why sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation. I can support my explanations with models.
https://media.doe.in.gov/standards/indiana-academic-standards-grade-8-science.pdf
MS-LS1-4 Use arguments based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants respectively.
MS-LS1-5 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
MS-LS3-1 Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.
MS-LS3-2 Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.