Virginia 7th Grade Science Standards in Life Science

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LS Life Science

• LS.2 The student will investigate and understand that all living things are composed of one or more cells that support life processes, as described by the cell theory. Key ideas include:
  • LS.2.a the development of the cell theory demonstrates the nature of science
  • LS.2.b cell structure and organelles support life processes
  • LS.2.c similarities and differences between plant and animal cells determine how they support life processes
  • LS.2.d cell division is the mechanism for growth and reproduction
  • LS.2.e cellular transport (osmosis and diffusion) is important for life processes
• LS.3 The student will investigate and understand that there are levels of structural organization in living things. Key ideas include:
  • LS.3.a patterns of cellular organization support life processes
  • LS.3.b unicellular and multicellular organisms have comparative structures
  • LS.3.c similar characteristics determine the classification of organisms
• LS.4 The student will investigate and understand that there are chemical processes of energy transfer which are important for life. Key ideas include:
  • LS.4.b photosynthesis and cellular respiration support life processes
• LS.5 The student will investigate and understand that biotic and abiotic factors affect an ecosystem. Key ideas include:
  • LS.5.a matter moves through ecosystems via the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles
  • LS.5.b energy flow is represented by food webs and energy pyramids
  • LS.5.c relationships exist among producers, consumers, and decomposers
• LS.6 The student will investigate and understand that populations in a biological community interact and are interdependent. Key ideas include:
  • LS.6.a relationships exist between predators and prey and these relationships are modeled in food webs
  • LS.6.b the availability and use of resources may lead to competition and cooperation
  • LS.6.c symbiotic relationships support the survival of different species
  • LS.6.d the niche of each organism supports survival
• LS.7 The student will investigate and understand that adaptations support an organism’s survival in an ecosystem. Key ideas include:
  • LS.7.a biotic and abiotic factors define land, marine, and freshwater ecosystems
  • LS.7.b physical and behavioral characteristics enable organisms to survive within a specific ecosystem
• LS.8 The student will investigate and understand that ecosystems, communities, populations, and organisms are dynamic and change over time. Key ideas include:
  • LS.8.a organisms respond to daily, seasonal, and long-term changes
  • LS.8.b changes in the environment may increase or decrease population size
  • LS.8.c large-scale changes such as eutrophication, climate changes, and catastrophic disturbances affect ecosystems
• LS.9 The student will investigate and understand that relationships exist between ecosystem dynamics and human activity. Key ideas include:
  • LS.9.a changes in habitat can disturb populations
  • LS.9.b disruptions in ecosystems can change species competition
  • LS.9.c variations in biotic and abiotic factors can change ecosystems
• LS.10 The student will investigate and understand that organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations. Key ideas include:
  • LS.10.a DNA has a role in making proteins that determine organism traits
  • LS.10.b the role of meiosis is to transfer traits to the next generation
  • LS.10.c Punnett squares are mathematical models used to predict the probability of traits in offspring
• LS.11 The student will investigate and understand that populations of organisms can change over time. Key ideas include:
  • LS.11.a mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction change populations
  • LS.11.b the fossil record, genetic information, and anatomical comparisons provide evidence for evolution
  • LS.11.c environmental factors and genetic variation, influence survivability and diversity of organisms