Strand 4: Life Science
This section is 13.8 % of the test.

 

Concept 1:  Structure and Function in Living Systems

No performance objectives at this grade level

 

 
Concept 2: Reproduction and Heredity

Understand the basic principles of heredity.

PO 1.  Explain the purposes of cell division:
·       growth and repair
·       reproduction
PO 2.  Explain the basic principles of heredity using the human examples of:
·       eye color
·       widow’s peak
·       blood type
PO 3.  Distinguish between the nature of dominant and recessive traits in humans.

 

 

Concept 3: Populations of Organisms in an Ecosystem

No performance objectives at this grade level 

 

 


Concept 4: Diversity, Adaptation, and Behavior

Identify structural and behavioral adaptations.

PO 1.  Explain how an organism’s behavior allows it to survive in an environment.
PO 2.  Describe how an organism can maintain a stable internal environment while living in a constantly changing external environment.
PO 3.  Determine characteristics of organisms that could change over several generations.
PO 4.  Compare the symbiotic and competitive relationships in organisms within an ecosystem (e.g., lichen, mistletoe/tree, clownfish/sea anemone, native/non-native species).
PO 5.  Analyze the following behavioral cycles of organisms:
·       hibernation
·       migration
·       dormancy (plants)
PO 6.  Describe the following factors that allow for the survival of living organisms:
·       protective coloration
·       beak design
·       seed dispersal
·       pollination