7TH GRADE SCIENCE STANDARDS (Life Science)
7th Grade Life Science Standards & key vocabulary.
| 1. All living organisms are composed of cells, from just one to many trillions, whose details usually are visible only through a microscope. | 1a - Cells function similarily in all organisms. - Cell = - Organism = 1b. - Specific characteristics distinguish plant cells from animal cells. - Plant Cell = - Animal Cell = - Cell Wall = - Chloroplasts = - Vacuoles = - Lysosomes = 1c - The nucleus is the contains genetic information in plant & animal cells. - Nucleus = - Genetic Information =
1d - The mitochondria liberate energy for cellular work & chloroplasts capture sunlight energy for photosynthesis. - Mitochondria = - ATP = - Photosynthesis = 1e - Cells divide to increase their numbers through a process of mitosis, which results in 2 daughter cells with identical sets of chromosomes. - Reproduce = - Mitosis = - Daughter Cells = 1f - As multicellular organisms develop, their cells differentiate. - Unicellular = - Multicellular = - Differentiate = |
| 2. A typical cell of any organism contains gentic instructions that specify its traits. Those traits may be modified by environmental influences. | 2a - There are differences between the life cycles & reproduction methods of sexual & asexual organisms. - Sexual Reproduction = - Asexual Reproduction = 2b - Sexual Reproduction produces offspring that inherit 1/2 their genes from each parent. - Offspring = - Inherit = 2c - An inherited trait can be determined by 1 or more genes. - Characteristic = - Trait = 2d - Plant & Animal Cells contain many thousands of different genes & typically have 2 copies of every gene. The 2 copies (or alleles) of the gene may or may not be identical, & 1 may be dominant in determining the phenotype while the other is recessive. - Alleles = - Dominant Allele = - Recessive Allele = 2e - DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material of living organisms & is located in the chromosomes of each cell. - Chromosomes = - DNA = - Genes = |
| 3. Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations. | 3a - Both genetic variation & environmental factors are causes of evolution & diversity of organisms. - Genetic Variation = - Environmental Factors = - Evolution = - Diversity of Organisms = 3b - Charles Darwin's scientific research concluded that natural selection is the mechanism of evolution. - Natural Selection = - Evolution = 3c - Independent lines of evidence from geology, fossils & comparative anatomy provide the bases for the theory of evolution. - Geology = - Fossils = - Comparative Anatomy 3d - Simple Branching Diagrams can be constructed to classify living groups of organisms by shared derived characteristics & can be expanded to include fossil organisms. - Branching Diagram = - Classification = 3e - Extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes & the adaptive characteristic of a species are insufficient for its survival. - Extinction = - Environmental Changes = - Adaptation = - Species = - Survival = |
| 4. Evidence from rocks allows us to understand the evolution of life on Earth. | 4a - Earth processes today are similar to those that occurred in the past & slow geologic processes have large cumulative effects over long periods of time. - Earth Processes = - Geologic Processes = - Cumulative Effects = 4b - The history of life on Earth has been disrupted by major catastrophic events, such as major volcanic eruptions or the impacts of asteroids. - Geologice Time Sclae = - Catastrophic Events = 4c - The Rock Cycle includes the formation of new sediment & rocks and that rocks are often found in layers, with the oldest generally on the bottom. - Sediment = - Layers of Rock 4d - Evidence from geologic layers & radioactive dating indicates Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old & that lif on this planet has existed for more than 3 billion years. - Geologic Layers - Radioactive Dating = 4e - Fossils provide evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed. - Evidence = 4f - Movements of Earth's continental & oceanic plates through time, with associated changes in climate & geographic connections, have affected the past & present distribution of organisms. - Pangea = - Climate Changes = 4g - The Geologic Time Scale explains significant developments & extinctions of plant & animal life. - Extinction = - Significant Developments = |
| 5. The anantomy & physiology of plants & animals illustrate the complementary nature of structure & function. | 5a - Plants & Animals have levels of organization for structure & functionm including cells, tissues, organs, systems & the whole organism. - Structure = - Function = - Cell = - Tissue = - Organ = - Organ System = - Organism = 5b - Organ Systems function because of the contributions of individual organs, tissues & cells. The failure or any part can affect the entire system. - Structure = - Function = - Cell = - Tissue = - Organ = - Organ System = - Organism = 5c - Bones & Muscles work together to provide a structural framework for movement. - Bones = - Muscles = - Movement = 5d - The Reproductive Organs of the human female & male generate eggs & sperm & sexual activity may lead to fertilization & pregnancy. - Sexual Reproduction = - Eggs = - Sperm = - Fertilization = - Pregnancy = 5e - The function of the umbilicus & placenta during pregnancy. - Umbilicus = - Placenta = - Pregnancy = 5f - Structures & processes by which flowering plants generate pollen, ovules, seeds & fruit. - Pollen = - Ovules = - Seeds = - Fruit = 5g - Eye & Ear Strctures & Functions - Eye = - Ear = |
| 6. Physical principles underlie biological structures & functions. | 6a - Visible Light is a small band withing a very broad electromagnetic spectrum. - Visible Light = - Electromagnetic Spectrum 6b - In order for objects to be seen, light emitted by or scattered from it must be detected by the eye. - Eye = - Emitted = - Scattered = 6c- Light travels in straigt lines if the medium it travesl through does not change. - Medium = 6d - Simple lenses are used in a magnifying glass, the eye, a camera, a telescope, & a microscope. - Simple Lens = - Magnifying Glass = - Eye = - Camera = - Telescope = - Microscope = 6e - White light is a mixture of many wavelengths (colors) and retinal cells react differently to different wavelengths. - Wavelengths = - Retina = 6f - Light can be reflected, refracted, transmitted & absorbed by matter. -Matter = - Reflected = - Refracted = - Transmitted = - Absorbed = 6g - The angle of reflection of a light beam is equal to the angle of incidence. - Angle of Reflection = - Light Beam = - Angle of Incidence = 6h - Joints in the body (wrist, shoulder, thigh) are comparable with structures used in machines & simple devices (hinge, ball-and-socket, and sliding joints.) - Joints = - Machines = 6i - Levers confer mechanical advantage & how this principle applies to the musculoskeletal system. - Levers = - Mechanical Advantage = - Musculoskeletal System = 6j - Heart Contractions generate blood pressure and heart valves prevent backflow of blood in the ciruculatory system. - Heart = - Blood = - Blood Pressure = - Heart Valves = - Backflow = - Circulatory System = |
| 7. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions & conducting careful investigations. | 7a - Select & use appropriate tools & technology (including calculators, computers, balances, spring scales, microscopes, & binoculars) to perform tests, collect data & display data. - Technology = - Calculators, - Computers = - Balances = - Spring Scales = - Microscopes = - Binoculars = - Data = 7b - Use a variety of print & electronic resources (including the World Wide Web) to collect information & evidence as part of a research project. - Print Resources = - Electronic Resources = - Evidence = 7c - Communicate the logical connection among hypotheses, science concepts, tests conducted, data collected, & conclusions drawn from the scientific evidence. - Hypothesis = - Data = - Conclusion = - Scientific Evidence = 7d - Construct scale models, maps, & appropriately labeled diagrams to communicate scientific knowledge (eg., motion of Earth's plates & cell structure). - Scale Models = - Maps = - Diagrams = - Data Tables = - Graphs = 7e. - Communicate the steps & results from an investigation in written reports & oral presentations. - Results - Written Report = - Oral Presentations = |