Unit 4: Structure and Function of Organisms

Performance Expectations:

• MS-LS1-1: Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.

• MS-LS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.

• MS-LS1-3: Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.

• MS-LS1-8: Gather and synthesize information that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain for immediate behavior or storage as memories.

Essential Questions:

• What characteristics distinguish between living and nonliving thing?

• How do cells contribute to the structure and function of living organisms?

• How do the internal structures of organisms contribute to an organism's ability to carry out specific functions?

• How do sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain?

Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science & Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, Supporting Standards:

• MS-LS1-1

• MS-LS1-2

• MS-LS1-3

• MS-LS1-8

Concepts & Skills:

• The students will be able to...

  • Differentiate between things that are living and nonliving

  • Identify the characteristics of organisms

  • Use evidence to support why something is considered an organism

  • Understand and explain that organisms need a suitable environment to survive

  • Describe the three different parts of the "Cell Theory"

  • Describe the difference between organisms that are unicellular and multicellular

  • Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made up of cells

  • Analyze the structure of different cells and explain how the cell's structure supports its function

  • Create a model to describe how organelles help cells to function

  • Articulate the structure and function of specific organelles (ex. nucleus, cell membrane, and cell wall)

  • Explain how the body is a system of interacting subsystems which are composed of cells

  • Gather and analyze information to explain that nerve cells send messages to the brain in response to stimuli

  • Design a model to represent one of the five senses going from sense organ through nerves and on to the brain